Chapter 1: Reflecting on Childhood Aspirations

What did you aspire to be as a child? Were those dreams realized or transformed into something unexpected?

When I was nine, my ambition was to become a nun, a common aspiration among girls in my Catholic school. By the time I reached twelve, my dreams had shifted to owning an ice cream shop, an amusement park, or perhaps a pet store.

At seventeen, when my high school guidance counselor asked about my college major, I confidently stated, "I want to be a dancer!" However, my enthusiasm was met with skepticism. The counselor, a young nun, quickly dismissed my dream, stating, "I'm afraid dear, that's simply not do-able."

In a Catholic high school, where such aspirations might have seemed taboo, her next comment took me by surprise: "You're much too short to be a dancer!" Ironically, she was shorter than I was, leaving me to ponder how she could judge the standards of a professional dancer. Had she once held a similar dream that was crushed by someone else? I was heartbroken, not just because my dream felt crushed, but because it meant I had to consider other avenues for my future.

I'm sure many of you have faced similar questions growing up: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Often, it takes years before we can truly uncover our purpose and what matters most to us. Many individuals aren’t encouraged to explore different career paths, and the high cost of education often discourages a trial-and-error approach.

We often find ourselves pursuing a path we think we might enjoy, only to later question what happened to our original aspirations. Have you ever watched the movie Mr. Deeds? Near the end, the protagonist asks a group of people about their childhood dreams, and the answers range from wanting to be a veterinarian or a banker to a woman who wished to be a man!

What about you? What did you envision for yourself two, three, or even four decades ago?

I never achieved my goal of becoming a professional dancer, but I have no regrets. I still enjoy dancing, but the reality is that it’s a challenging career for anyone past their early thirties, and I realized I wouldn’t retire gracefully in that field.

Have you managed to pursue your passion and discover your purpose? If so, that’s a wonderful achievement. However, it's also a journey filled with uncertainty. I once coached a woman who believed teaching was her calling. After four years, she had switched grades, schools, and environments, yet remained unhappy and regretted her choice.

Our dreams inevitably evolve as we do. One truth remains: we do not lose our dreams as we age; rather, we may reframe, redefine, or replace them. I have held various jobs and launched two successful businesses that originated from dreams.

You might find yourself in a career that no longer fulfills you or feel the urge to explore new avenues. Perhaps you want to cultivate an idea into a side income before leaving your current job, or you might be ready to step away from employment but aren’t yet looking to retire.

This September, I will be launching a training program tailored for those ready to embark on their "Second Act." It will cover all the essential questions, concerns, and preparations needed to transition into entrepreneurship in this stage of life.

You don’t have to remain stuck in your current role until retirement, nor should you feel that you are too old or inexperienced to become a successful business owner. You once had dreams, and you still do. Stop postponing your aspirations with "Someday," because the only guarantee about "Someday" is that it never arrives without commitment.

What did your future look like two or three decades ago? What does it resemble today? As long as you are alive, you continue to grow, and the only thing too late to do is wait.

Kathy Brunner specializes in coaching individuals seeking to transition from their careers to becoming business owners. Are you ready for your ENCORE? Sign up to learn about the Encorepreneur Bootcamp!

Section 1.1: The Importance of Childhood Dreams

Reflecting on childhood aspirations can help us understand our current desires. It’s essential to recognize how our early dreams influence our present choices.

Chapter 2: Embracing New Opportunities

In the video "100 Kids Tell Us What They Want to Be When They Grow Up," we see a diverse range of aspirations from children. Their responses highlight the innocence and creativity of youth, reminding us of the potential we all have to dream big.

The second video, "What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up | Original Songs | By LBB Junior," showcases original songs that capture the essence of childhood dreams and ambitions. These performances celebrate the joy of dreaming and inspire viewers to reconnect with their own aspirations.