You Don't Have to Do This Alone

There's an African proverb that says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

Together. How scary can it be to do something "together"? To let someone into your life, or your mind, or your dream. 

Dreams are so personal and so precious. For a long time, I believed it was safer to keep mine to myself. There have been many times when I felt it was better to stay quiet about my dream because of previous negative interactions with certain people. 

Not only is it vulnerable to share your dreams with other people, it's also vulnerable to admit that you want something at all. Opening yourself up is an opportunity to get shut down. How many times have you been told, "You can't have that", or "That sounds crazy"? 

It's a paradox, really. Other people can really hurt our dreams, and yet community is also the key to achieving them.

Sure, maybe you can get a lot of work done toward your dreams if you go alone--keeping it all to yourself. After all, independence is a highly praised trait. I used to think I needed to do it all by myself. That asking for help was a sign that I wasn't enough on my own to make my dreams come true. But finding the right support, the right resources, that's where a dream can go far.

How many people who are at the top of their industry do you think got to that point by themselves?

I think, none. 

How many people who decided to carry their dreams on their own do you think ended up giving up on them?

Too many to count.

Community has played a major role in my dream coming true. I would not be in Milan working as an international model if it weren't for all the support and resources I have made a part of my journey.

There's my husband, my family, my friends, my neighbors, my agents, and other models whose content I've learned from, just to name a few. Each one supported me in a way that was deeply significant.

My husband has been my biggest cheerleader, reminding me that I am worthy of being here. My family has been helping fill the gaps while I'm away from my children. My friends are there to join me in celebrating my wins and to help me feel validated. My neighbors have been available to serve my family when we've needed them. My agents share my dream and my desire for success. And other models and online resources have been an irreplaceable source of knowledge that I was able to use to my benefit. 

It wasn't easy to open myself up to this community. It's scary to share your desires when you have no proof--when you're still becoming. 

I still have a hard time admitting to people that I am a model when I'm at home, I often feel like a fraud because I've had no success building a career in Utah. But the support I have developed through years of allowing myself to dream out loud has created a rock-solid foundation that has allowed me to achieve international modeling. 

I want to go far. So, I let people in. 

The trick to building the right community and finding the right support is that it takes time. Sometimes you don't know what you need at first, either. It can require some trial and error, and sometimes the people around you won't know how to support you, but that doesn't mean they don't want to. 

Asking for support has taught me what kind of support I actually need. Learning to vocalize what support I needed has helped me to make more progress toward bringing my dream into reality. I was able to be more efficient with effective delegation. Over time, I've realized this is a skill that will be essential at every step in the process of chasing a dream--whether you're just starting out or you have achieved any degree of success. 

The concept of opening yourself to community also requires the creation of boundaries. There will be people who may try to take advantage of your dream or try to lead you astray. Remember, most people are only capable of telling you what is subconsciously best for themselves. Practice discernment, not isolation. As much as some people may doubt you, remember that you are worthy of encouragement and success.

One thing about my journey toward chasing my dream is that I spent years having this dream of becoming a model but having nothing to show for it. Anyone I asked to believe in me did so on a faith basis--blind trust. 

I needed that trust. Because doubt is the loudest before success comes. 

A lot of times, identifying what your dream is and researching how to bring it to life isn't the hardest part. The hardest part can be allowing yourself to be helped. But as much as asking for support can be uncomfortable, it's also a skill. Letting a community in doesn't erase your effort, it honors it.

I am so grateful for my community--I want it to get even bigger. That's how much I believe in growing my support system. 

I have built beautiful friendships and made wonderful memories from allowing myself to ask for support for my dream. As much as having a community helps me move my dreams forward, it also allows me to keep learning, and I plan to never stop. I love learning from online resources, content creators, friends, and other models--anyone I've invited into my community teaches me something that helps me succeed.  

Teamwork truly does make the dream work. 

If you've been a part of my team, my support, or my community, over these last few years, I appreciate you and I value you. Thank you.