If I had a dime for every time someone told me I couldn’t do something, or that my idea sucked, or made no sense, I’d definitely have enough to set sail around the world.

But I wouldn’t set sail, even if I raised that money proving my point. I love what I do. And I believe that it can contribute to healthcare in very similar ways – no, more!! – than when I was practicing in an office setting, seeing one patient at a time behind my closed exam room door.

It’s a fitting share for today, given that I just hit the publish button Candice Williams‘s story on SoMeDocs (read it here), where she explains how frustrating – and stifling – it has been for her to essentially be “told what to do and not do”.

Today’s dreams are fuel for tomorrow’s innovations.

I can tell you, first-hand – that when I described my own vision – I called it my dream back then – to my husband, years ago, he didn’t see how I could do it. As a physician himself, in fact, he really didn’t get it. And neither did many of the docs I then told my dream to, along the way.

But here we are, a few years later. I have built up my dream, from scratch, and watched it rise, virtual brick by virtual brick, thanks to personal determination and drive that I never really knew I had before. Building with my own blood, sweat, and tears never meant this much to me, as it does now, doing what I do (and I say this as a physician, who pushed my way through medical school!!)

Today’s dreams are fuel for tomorrow’s innovations.

It’s not yet perfect, my work. I have a long ways to go. But the vision continues to grow. And building it reminds me that all of us have the potential to lead. Even if it means growing out ideas no one believes in, at first.

A warm, virtual hug to Candice Williams, who is currently taking on her dream, and pursuing her own definition of happiness, doing what she believes she can do.

You got this.

Got your own story to share? Let me share it for you, via SoMeDocs. Submit it here.