Have you ever had your heart set on something only to find your dreams crushed? You had this great dream and you just lost it. It’s hard to come back from that place. A place where all seems lost and you don’t know what to do or which direction to turn.
Earlier this year I met Andy Schindling who had his dreams crushed and this could have destroyed him. You see, his dreams started for him when he was just a little boy and he held on to it for as long as he could. I first introduced you to him in my blog post, “Living Your Dream”.
What I did not share with you was what happened after his dream was shattered. He had been drafted in the 16th round to join the Baltimore Orioles organization when he was just 17. Six years later he was taking a dreaded walk back to the locker room to pack up his stuff; he had just been released from the team.
Andy spent a lot of time lost in his thoughts.
The first few days were like being in a daze, full of uncertainty. Andy asked himself numerous questions trying to figure out what went wrong. What should he have done better? What didn’t he do during the offseason? Did he have the right mentality? If he had the right mentality, did he prepare himself? He was experiencing so many different emotions. He had no idea what he was going to do. Andy didn’t really have a life outside of sports.
The depth of the questions began to change until he found himself asking, “What can I learn from this that will propel me into whatever comes in the future? How can I take my experience as an athlete and give back to the community?”
To be able to build some type of business, where he could give back to the community, he knew he needed to have some business skills. He was fortunate in his contract, the organization had agreed to pay for his college education, so he decided to go back to school. First to the Arundel Community College receiving an Associate Degree in Business. He then went to Towson University earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking, it could not have been that easy. Come on now, his dream was shattered. You’re right, it wasn’t that easy.
He had to learn to focus on something new.
When people lose a dream, something that is important to them, they often turn to a vice such as alcohol or drugs. Andy had heard guys say, “When baseball is done, I don’t know what I am going to do…”. Some did turn to drugs and alcohol. When you play baseball or any sport for so long, when you’re no longer playing you can become lost. Like many professions, you work in a structured routine environment. You do just about the same things every day. When that’s over you’re thrown into a world where you have to figure it out on your own.
“I had to focus on a new dream.”
Dreams are important. Andy understood the power of what dreams could do for him. He didn’t want to stay in a dark state. He didn’t want to be the guy who turned to drugs and alcohol. It was time to gain focus and come up with a new plan.
YOU must find a new dream.
If your dream has been shattered, you have to take the time to first catch your breath. Let your mind run through the questions and thoughts that come up for you. Think of all you have learned during your journey. What have you become good at? Be honest with yourself as you think about your strengths and weaknesses. See how you can create a new dream built on all you have already gained in life. If you find yourself feeling stuck, consider working with a coach or counselor. If you would like information on working with a coach, send me an email at cowens@infinitycoaching.net.
A dream can be shattered, but it can be rebuilt into something new and even more beautiful. Want to know what Andy created with his shattered dream? Find out in my next article when we discuss “Putting the Pieces Back Together”.
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Executive and Leadership Coach. She is the President of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where she can help you up-level your skills, so you can up-level your income, career, business or life. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching, organizational training, personality assessments, and a signature program, the Infinity Coaching Inner Circle. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment. You can find out more he about both assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net
