If you’re reading this, I have achieved my dream

And how you can pursue yours

My late maternal grandfather used to tell me that when I was three years old, I read his favorite daily newspaper, The Manila Bulletin, every morning upside down. Much to his amusement, my “Tatay” said that my serious facial expression looked like I understood what I was reading! Ever since, I have developed a passion for writing and always dreamed of writing for the The Manila Bulletin or, to be honest, its closest rival! Writing for one of the top Philippine newspapers has always been on my bucket list. For years, my writing was confined only to my personal diary.

Fast forward to the 21st century, I took fate and destiny in my hands and made sure I put a check next to one of the items on my dreams list. After all, I am the sole owner of my destiny. I decide what I want to do with my life, my world, and my environment. I am in full control of my life, my future, and to make something out of the tools I have at my disposal. Around 2016, I took an English writing course in one of Canada’s most prestigious universities, University of British Columbia, which was quite an eye-opening experience for me. While taking this writing course, I also read more books—anything from classic literature to modern-day novels (although I’ve always been a voracious reader. I’ve been reading everything including obituaries since my early teens).

In 2016, however, I found that taking a writing course was such an arduous process as I had to juggle between being a single mom, my day job, and pursuing my dream. But I finished the course with high grades and I even got to self-publish my young adult novel via Amazon but embarrassingly, I only sold five copies, which, to be honest, were bought by my family! But that didn’t deter me from pursuing my passion.

During the early start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, I pursued my dream by contacting the owner and publisher of Canada’s largest and biggest Filipino-Canadian news website and newspaper, the Philippine Canadian Inquirer, and gave him a few samples of my work. Much to my surprise, with hardly any professional writing experience, I was given by the publisher an incredible chance to write anything under the sun. I made sure I didn’t waste the chance. What I was given was a platform to share my innermost thoughts, my true feelings, and my voice. I took this blessing with such care, knowing that if I were to share my voice, I must practice full responsibility at all times.

My dedication and perseverance paid off! From being a contributing writer, I was given my own lifestyle column, “Maria in Vancouver,” where I have been sharing my life experiences with the readers since early 2020. I also realize, having been writing for a newspaper over the last four years, that you have to be able to genuinely express yourself and your thoughts and write from the heart while continuously learning along the way.

If by any chance you are reading this article of mine right now in The Manila Bulletin, then, I have successfully crossed this one goal on my bucket list. My friend, nothing is neither unattainable nor impossible in life—only death and taxes are guaranteed.

I’d like to share American abolitionist and political activist Harriet Tubman’s precious words: “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

Moreover, I’d like to share some of the tried and tested ways I have been able to achieve my dreams.

Visualize your dreams.

As Harriet Tubman shared, everything starts with a dream and you must visualize yourself achieving it. For starters, you must create a board (digital or physical) and in this board, place images that represent your dreams and goals in life. Get a picture of your dream home. Or a picture of your dream career. Your dream partner in life. Your passion in life. Place an image of who you want to be and of what you want in your life. Stare at this board every day and tell yourself positively: “One day, I shall have all these. My dreams will manifest!”

Set smart goals.

SMART means setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. You can start by having a clear vision of your dreams and goals in life. Ask yourself this: “What am I truly passionate about?” “What drives me?” “What will make me truly happy?” Then, learn to prioritize. Learn what should come first in your life in order for you to achieve your dreams. Next, be specific: “How can I achieve my goals?”, “What are the guidelines and steps that I should take?”, “Do I have the resources to make it happen?”, “What are the advantages and disadvantages?”, “Can I realistically do it?” Make your goals measurable by establishing key performance indicators such as attaching dates, numbers, percentages, even dollars to your goals and learning in process if your goals are realistic and achievable or not. Make your goals totally achievable by motivating and pushing yourself in achieving your end goal. You alone will be your first and last cheerleader. Finally, make sure that you set a deadline. By doing so, you are driven to make your dream a reality because you set a targeted deadline.

Stay focused.

Stay in your lane. You can’t achieve anything in life if you don’t remain focused. You must concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand! One of the biggest secrets to achieving your dreams is the ability to focus on your end goal; your commitment to finishing what you started; your dedication to excellence; and your perseverance to see things through no matter the difficulties. Also, take your time. Don’t be in a rush and above all, never compete with others except yourself.

Manage your time.

I can’t stress enough how precious time is. But don’t worry if you find yourself struggling with time management—you are not alone. Always create a to-do list with timelines. Knowing on a daily basis where you’re at when it comes to achieving your goals is a must. Remember, time is always of the essence. Life is both short and borrowed — don’t waste it! Make every second count.

Never ever give up! No matter how the going gets tough, you get stronger and tougher. For every challenge, there’s a solution. The road to achieving your dreams is not without obstacles—you must see it through. You must be persistent. And if it proves too much, don’t be afraid to seek help from your support system. Get help. Get a breather, but don’t quit. Always know in your heart that your challenges help you develop inner fortitude. Challenges are given to you as an opportunity to grow and become learned. Challenges are there to test our characters and push us even closer to attaining our dreams.

I turned my dreams into my realities because I always knew what I wanted in my life. I was passionate about my dreams and, above all, I totally believed in myself. — Matte Laurel Zalko