Growing up, I always considered myself unique and different.

My mother nurtured the creative gift in me and brought my brother and I to sketch at museums. We were well-cultured, attending classical concerts and also learning the gift of independent-thinking. I knew I was different and even more so when I moved to different countries where I didn’t know the language and had to learn to “be cool”.

One thing I am extremely grateful for was the MENTORS in my life that nurtured the WEIRD in me. They believed in me and thought my crazy dreams were special and needed to be protected. Of course, sometimes mentors don’t stay mentors forever and seasons in life brings them to stop believing in you or to be busy with their personal lives, these are all understandable situations.

I started working when I was just 14. Now, not many people were selling makeup at school, but I learned to find a way to make my own money. Fast forward, I am living my dreams with bamboos and orchids on my desk, typing away this blog post on my Mac. Has it been easy? Nope.

Sacrifice IS a must for entrepreneurs. 

If we teach our youth that they have to sacrifice their dreams for security, what are we really doing?

We are destroying their hearts.

Not every youth has a strong heart and is able to protect their dreams from their parents, peers, friends. Especially if the overriding message is  – “BE SECURE AND STABLE”.

Pursuing your DREAMS is not a secure and stable path. 

The sacrifices might include…..over the years of being self-employed, the beginning consisted of:

1. Sacrificing going out with friends and instead forcing myself to eat at home, and at times even being hungry

2. Using second best office supplies, sometimes found at yard sales

3. Bearing the judgements and rebukes of family and friends alike, even people you thought you trusted.

And the list goes on….Though…

The Benefits:

1. Creating exactly and however you want your dream life and career to look like

2. Creating your life based on your top values such as freedom, love, flexibility

3. Leaving town and working at the same time – being completely MOBILE.

4. In the beginning it can be difficult, but if you persevere, the results are amazing!

5. Taking naps when you feel like it.

6. Working from cafes and libraries, choosing beautiful environments to work in versus a cold ACed room with neon lights (ew).

If you would like to hear more, I invite you to join me as I help you map out your dreams to reality in just 2 DAYS here in Los Angeles: Register here: http://modestflyartgallery.com/workshops-seminars/ and see you August 4 at 10-12 noon.