Blog 10: Aspirations – Inspiring young people to look ahead
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Does an aspiration come from seeing or hearing something that sparks: “I want to do that”?
Or from reflecting on ambitions that are shaped by others, whether consciously or unconsciously?
Aspirations come in all shapes and sizes. Following on from Blog 8 (Meaning and Purpose) and Blog 9 (Resilience), I believe the ultimate goal is to live an incredible life. One where, at the very end, you can say you have no regrets because you pursued your goals.
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Life isn’t straightforward.
Some goals are opportunities (Blog 3: Power of Opportunities) that you miss the first time around, which then drives you to grab them with both hands if they ever come back again. Others fade because of self-doubt. Self-esteem is the biggest driver of whether you will achieve, or at least attempt, the goals you secretly or openly desire. The second driver is opportunity.
Sadly, aspirations are often knocked down by other people’s fears, jealousy, or resentment. Goals can shatter when someone chips away at them, or they can even turn out not to be yours at all, but someone else’s expectations placed on your shoulders. That is a story for another blog.
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For now, let’s focus on the something.
That “something” is about being in the right environment to see what is possible and then being given the chance to try.
How can someone aspire to be a diver or marine biologist if they have never seen or heard about such roles? What pathway exists for the boy who can pull a wheelie on his bike for 30 minutes straight, unless someone shows him a BMX club where he can learn, compete, and maybe one day race for an Olympic medal? At the very least, he deserves a safe, fun environment with others who share his passion.
Or take the girl who stumbles across a piano in a train station and can naturally play a tune. If no one helps her take that spark further, the chance to play at the Albert Hall or the Proms never becomes more than a passing dream.
I think of Beth Shriever, who won BMX gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Why couldn’t it be the girl on the BMX or the boy at the piano?
Of course, aspirations need to be realistic. I know becoming an English teacher was never my ideal career because my dyslexia and spelling would always have made that a tough road. Likewise, someone who enjoys running but is not fast is unlikely to break Usain Bolt’s Olympic record. But they can always chase their own personal best.
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When I was 14,
around the time I was finally diagnosed with dyslexia, I watched The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. It blew my mind. His adventures and discoveries lit a fire in me. Later, I saw a programme about commercial diving, where many of those interviewed were ex-Royal Naval Clearance Divers. That is when I knew what I wanted to do. Without those documentaries, my life would have been completely different. My aspirations were ignited, and I created opportunities to pursue them.
But what if you do not know what is out there? What if you lack the self-esteem to chase your dream, or the opportunities to make it real? That is when aspirations risk staying as pipe dreams. This is also where support becomes critical. When someone takes the time to ask, “What else do you need to succeed?” and then follows through by providing resources or removing obstacles, it can make the difference between a dream that fades and a goal that flourishes. Growth happens when people feel safe to share their ambitions, confident that others will back them, and free to explore new possibilities.
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Belief is just as important as opportunity.
When the adults around a young person show they truly believe in them, it can ignite confidence that might otherwise never surface. At CHEXS we know that aspirations are nurtured when young people feel backed, encouraged, and trusted to try. That is why providing opportunities is vital, not just in the classroom but through real-world experiences. Through initiatives like our partnerships with local businesses and networks such as Synergy BNI, we are opening doors for young people to see professions first-hand, hear personal stories, and lay the seeds for future careers. These moments can spark ambitions that may never have been considered, giving young people the belief that “I could do that too.
The truth is: small goals lead to big differences. They can ignite life-changing aspirations. Remember, to move a mountain you start by moving the first stone.
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At CHEXS,
our GROWTH programme helps children and young people take those first steps. It inspires them to think about their goals, strive to achieve them, and link experiences with challenges. With dedication, enthusiasm, and support, everyone can achieve more than they first imagined.
Through this journey, children and young people learn the value of continual personal growth, underpinned by growing confidence and self-belief.
Sometimes, that is all it takes to turn a dream into a reality.
