Want to do something but don't have the courage to? This book is for you.
I got to know about The Alchemist from Scott Dinsmore, the guy who makes the impossible seem possible.
In this book, Santiago - an Andalusian shepherd - travels to Egypt after recurring dreams about finding treasure at the Pyramids. He encounters many crossroads and we see how he gets pass them, again and again.
Here's what I learnt from the book that hopefully will enlighten you too:
1. You will be anxious before deciding.
Before any major decision you make to alter your life, you WILL be afraid. You will be worried about things going wrong, you will be uncertain about how things will turn out. You will wonder if you're making the wrong choice. And that is perfectly normal, because your life is going to be up-ended.
But there was something that triggered this idea to you in the first place. What was it? Don't ignore it. If it bothered you enough to reconsider your life, give it some merit.
Paulo describes it very spiritually: "Whoever you are, whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth."
Swim in your uncertainties and fears for a while, because you need to think things through. But don't drown in them or let them prevent you from taking action.
To do that successfully, you must have no fear of failure. It will be your fear of failure that first keeps you from attempting what you want to do. Begin now. Even though you could have started ten years ago, be happy that you're not going to have to wait twenty years.
2. Look for open doors. Walk into them.
You're not going to keep your plans to yourself if you have a major life decision to make. Talk to as many people as you can. Find out as much information as you can.
This not only addresses some of your fears and uncertainties, but may also lead to open doors. Open doors come in different forms - it could be an opportunity, it could be encouragement from others sharing about people who have done the same. Often when you know of people who have 'been there, done that', you gain strength and hope that what you're about to do is actually possible.
Paulo describes it this way: "When you really want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
The idea is that when you put your energies into your desire - in telling others, in trying things out, in testing the waters, in throwing ideas, in sharing your work - you're changing something in your life. Even if you haven't gone full-out, your life is already different. The longer you keep at this, the more realistic it becomes.
Grab opportunities and reach out to people who can teach you something you need to know. Learn what they do, how they do it, and why. Be inspired!
3. Focus and persist to get there.
It doesn't get easier. Once you've decided to go for your dream, it's going to be a long path of uncertainty and obstacles.
If you want to quit, at least give yourself some time to think about it first. You owe yourself that after all the agony of deciding to go on this path in the first place. And like they say, it doesn't get easier. You get better.
Paulo exemplifies this point in Santiago's journey across the desert towards the Pyramids: "When the caravan was blocked by a boulder, it had to go around it; if there was a large rocky area, they had to make a major detour. If the sand was too fine for the animals' hooves, they sought a way where the sand was more substantial. If a guide were to fall ill or die, the camel drivers would draw lots and appoint a new one. But all this happened for one basic reason: no matter how many detours and adjustments it made, the caravan moved toward the same compass point. Once obstacles were overcome, it returned to its course, sighting on a star that indicated the location of the oasis."
If all you want is an easy life, you're never going to grow. If all you want is to stay within your comfort zone and live cushily, then all you'll ever experience is what you already know.
You cannot discover new oceans until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. - Lord Chesterfield
A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
4. The process is necessary for you to figure out your path.
This is probably the most important point. I hear the same argument from people again and again:
"But I'd have wasted all the time I spent on [the old pursuit], if I decide to change my path now!"
Your past commitment does not restrict your future decisions when you're deciding on the path to take, UNLESS your decisions involve significant others (e.g. in marriage). Sometimes after getting all excited about something and going into it, you realize that it isn't something you want to devote your energy in after all. You want to try something new. That's perfectly fine!
You'll never know where you belong until you take that step. It's as important to know what you don't want as it is to know what you want. The time you spend on any project is NOT for you to justify for future commitment, but for you to make an informed decision on whether it is something you WANT to do for the rest of your life.
I'm not going to spoil the story if you haven't read the book, but Santiago's journey illustrates this point perfectly.
Paulo's statement captures this idea: "If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil. And one can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return."
The stars refer to your passing interests - things you want to try but may find unsuitable or uninteresting after you do. Pure matter refers to your destiny - what you were meant to do. Until you find it, you'll keep searching. After you find it, you'll keep coming back to it, no matter where you choose to wander.
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