Believing in yourself is a simple yet powerful concept that can change your life in an instant. When you have faith in your own abilities, you can unlock the potential to achieve great things in the world. Today, I want to share how the power of self-belief was able to turn my dream of being an author into a reality, and by the end of this article, I hope to encourage you to do the same with your own dream.

My Journey: From Idea to Reality
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have been creating entertaining videos online for people to watch. It started with a nightly bedtime story series, and progressively switched to lifestyle-based content and mental health activism. I vividly remember the moment when an idea sparked in my mind — a children’s book that I felt could make a difference. The concept of ‘Ryder the Flying Spider’ was born out of a desire to create a story that not only entertains but also inspires young minds. However, the path from an idea to a published book was far from straightforward. It required resources, dedication, and, most importantly, an unwavering belief in myself.

One day, I came across an opportunity to apply for a $20,000 Creatives Fund grant, dedicated to helping content-creator entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. The grant would offer me the support I needed to harness this creative project and build a successful business. Despite the fierce competition, I decided to take a leap of faith and pitch my idea. I knew that my passion for the project and my belief in its potential would shine through the rest.

And to my astonishment, the proposal I created was selected, and I won the grant! This funding not only validated my idea but also provided the resources I needed to bring ‘Ryder the Flying Spider’ to life. It was a testament to the power you hold in believing in yourself, and how one pitch or one idea can lead to an opportunity that will change your life forever.

The Impact of Self-Belief
Believing in yourself is not just about achieving personal goals; it has a much bigger impact on your overall well-being and success. Believing in yourself doesn’t mean you have to win the award, win the grant, or even have someone backing your ideas. It’s all about having the drive and perseverance to do anything it takes to reach your goals. I didn’t create my book with the end goal of making a lot of money — instead, I focused on sharing a story I believed in and bringing my vision to life. The most fulfilling part of my entire journey was the build-up to the book. The highs, the lows, and everything in between. Your passion for something fuels your future, so whatever you believe in, go for it with 1000%. This is your sign.

My Final Tips for Success:

• Set Clear Goals: When you have an idea, define everything you want to achieve and create a roadmap to get there. It doesn’t have to be a traditional roadmap — make a vision board, a list on your Notes app, or whatever works best for you. There are no rules.
• Celebrate Small Wins Along the way: For every one ‘Yes,’ there will be 10 people who will say ‘No’ to you and discourage you from moving forward. No matter big or small, acknowledge the small wins until you finally get to the prize.
• Enjoy the ride: Like I said before, your end result should never be your ultimate goal! When you truly believe in something big, there’s never an ‘end’ in sight, so enjoy the ride and put your everything into what you’re doing in the present moment!
• Visualize Success: It’s on the tip of your tongue. You’re always one good idea away from the perfect life — picture it, see it, and it will happen. Envision your goals, your future, and everything in between
• Embrace the Failures: Don’t let the ‘No’s’ deter you. Instead, learn from your mistakes and move forward. There are many lessons learned in failure and it only makes you stronger for next time.