Dreams Don’t Expire

In high school, I said I wanted to go to college. But life didn’t make it easy. I flunked out, and everything around me said I wouldn’t make it back. People doubted me, and, if I’m honest, I doubted myself. But here’s the thing: I refused to let that story define me. I fought my way back, one hard step at a time, and I didn’t just get back in—I went all the way.

In my 20s, I dreamed of writing a book. I started and stopped so many times that I almost gave up. Life was busy, I wasn’t ready, and fear whispered, maybe this isn’t for you. But I couldn’t let go of the dream. It took 25 years, but I finally wrote it—proof that dreams don’t have expiration dates if you’re willing to do the work.

I also envisioned a career without limits—one where I could make a difference across industries and communities. That vision required time, focus, and persistence, but I made it happen.

In my 30s, I wrestled with what it meant to leave a mark. I realized it wasn’t about titles or accolades—it was about sowing my life into others. When you sow, you leave threads of impact that stretch far beyond you. Did you catch that?

In my 40s, I knew I needed to amplify my influence. I became intentional about everything—teaching through a local university, curating the relationships around me, and shifting my work to banking to create opportunities that align with my purpose.

Now, as I approach 50, I’m stepping boldly into my next chapter: creating a curriculum—an extension of my book—designed to empower others to transform their lives and careers. It’s drawn from the life I’ve been blessed to live—a life shaped by challenges that built resilience, faith that fueled persistence, and lessons that uncovered purpose. This chapter isn’t just about reflecting on the past; it’s about using those experiences to sow seeds of impact for others to grow and thrive

What about you? What’s your story? What dream have you put off, what vision have you stopped believing in, or what goal feels just out of reach?

Here’s the truth: the life you want isn’t as far away as it seems. It starts with one step. What will you sow over the next 12 months to push yourself to a new level? The time is now—the world is waiting for your mark. Visit orvinkimbrough.com for more.