Whatever you want to be in life—novelist, filmmaker, artist, pastor, leader, whatever—there’s one piece of advice I’d give you: Start acting like it. Too many people wait years for their opportunity while successful people step out and do it now. Sure, you may not have funding, school isn’t finished, you haven’t left your day job, or you haven’t picked the right project.
But I’ve discovered that everything changes when you start the interior process of being that person.
Is it a lie? Absolutely not. After all, what makes you a novelist, filmmaker or anything else? There’s no certificate needed, and you certainly don’t need a license. You just need to start thinking like one. And when you do, here’s what happens:
• Suddenly, you stop daydreaming and start doing.
• You change your priorities.
• Your confidence grows, and you become less afraid to network and find mentors.
• You get serious.
• Other people notice the change and begin taking your dream more seriously.
There’s nothing magic about it. It’s just an attitude change that impacts everything and everyone around you. Whatever you want to be, stop hiding, lose the fear, embrace the role and flip the switch. You’re now a writer, filmmaker, pastor, leader, musician, artist or whoever.
So start acting like it.
This article originally appeared on PhilCooke.com and is reposted here by permission.