Strider's post inspired us all. You can and will reach your goals. If you fail just pick yourself up and try again but I don't think you will
since you have the desire.

It's a common cycle. I've known several people who have said, "This isn't where I thought I'd be at age X." for all the same reasons you described above. (Fear, self doubt, etc.) At least you've recognized the need for change. All you have to do now is find the power within yourself to dig deep and confront your fear of failure. Ignore those negative voices in the back of your head and *Believe* that you can do all the things you're afraid of (like public speaking, for instance.) Next thing you know, you'll be well on your way to making the positive changes required for a happier life. Better now than never - you don't want to find yourself saying, "This isn't where I thought I'd be at age 44, 54, 64, etc..." Good luck.

I think that saying sets us on a course in life that if we hold onto it, we will get to where we want to be. I know some people know I coached girls basketball for 12 years while balancing my regular career. One thing I always remember is that first medal I gave my very first team. I inscribed on it simply that "Success is living one's Dream". It always stuck with although at the time the thought came to me on a whim. The last years I coached varsity basketball and then elite teams in the summer. From day one when I started coaching there was one college coach I admired. I read everything I could about him. One day I received a long distant call from Boston and it was from his son who asked if his daughter could join our summer team. I was a bit shocked and of course knew she was extremely talented and said yes. Unfortunately, this coach that I admired was very sick. One day when I went to practice with the girls, there was a huge thunder storm raging outside. Lightning and thunder was crackling through the skylights of the gym. While running some drills the gym door swung open and a man approached slowly, leaned against the wall and slid down very slowly. I was stunned, it was him at my practice. I told the girls to take a break and walked slowly toward him and stuck out my hand to shake his. He couldn't do it, but we could talk and I simply told him how much I admired him and why...it felt incredible. Later when we went to a scrimmage mode I noticed his granddaughter running the floor like a Philly and knocking three point baskets. She loved him dearly and knew his time was short. That was the last gym Al McGuire was in. However because I couldn't make the World Festival Tournament, his son was going to coach them, but he asked if his father could sit on the bench...I thought wow of course. He never made it and died shortly after that. That night it was pouring rain once again as huge lines formed to pay their last respects...former college players, announcers he worked with at ABC all those years and so many others...the line was huge. I had a lot of success as a coach and as I stood there again thinking about him and the pouring rain I decided to quit coaching. The time needed along with my career was too much. But I did feel that one of my dreams was accomplished by this incredible encounter...it was over and I never looked back but it's a keepsake that I treasure forever deep inside.

Some people just move, some people are movable and some will never move. Once we make that decision to move, we never stop moving no matter how small those steps are...but move we must to eliminate in our later years the thoughts of should have or would have. I think we have to seize the moment, for it is only in the present we can take action. Regrets for the past are for those who mourn life and fear of the future is only misplaced imagination. Boldness is for those who refuse to live in the gray twilight and understand that the sun always rises and we are there to greet it every day. My daily salutations to the sun every day offers like so many others limitless possibilities...bring on the day what ever it brings...best of luck kristy and ride those high tides in the affairs of us all, catch that crest and ride it as long as you can. It is always a wonderful life...

Think I will pass on this.
I loved my life and no need to change.
Now where is my glasses

The secret is to NOT WANT TO DO that which you can not afford to do. Goals, dreams, and ambitions must be realistically achievable!!!

True, to be sure! Strider is a wise man! I know that I am what I believe... sad to say.

You know, you're not the first one to have gone through this kind of agony. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you all the best of luck.

I don't think anyone stay positive all the time. But we can try! Hugs

You are already taking the first steps towards change. Keep going! You are going to be fine with the public speaking thing... you are going to be speaking about something you are passionate about and they are going to be listening because they really care about their dogs. It's a win, win.
As one of my favorite Spark People would say, "Don't Stop. Get it! Get it!"

Work on that progress toward change. You were going to start reading more about training. See what you can find out about training as a business and what it takes to do it successfully. It's a place to start

As I always told my children, keep your day job until that right moment for change presents itself...and it will.