How small goals add up to big dreams

How small goals add up to big dreams

Author: SGI-USA December 4, 2020 Duration: 31:50

This week’s episode is about how to build the confidence to pursue a big dream. Seon Yeop Jung shares how he using chanting and goal-setting to rebuild the confidence he lost due to bullying. By pursuing one small goal after another, he discovered his dream of being a scientist and educator. Key takeaway: If you don’t believe in yourself right now because of whatever you may have faced in the past, it’s OK. Just start wherever you are with one small goal and you’ll discover your purpose along the way.


Cheatsheet:


0:35 Introduction to Seon

4:30 How bullying affected his childhood

8:29 What he realized when he started chanting

11:59 Why he set a goal of studying for 10 hours

13:50 How achieving minor goals can build your confidence 

16:58 How to apply chanting to specific goals

19:08 What if you get stuck?

23:16 How having supportive friends can help

24:53 What Seon’s dream is now

27:24 3 keys to never giving up

29:46 Seon’s advice to anyone pursuing a dream

30:44 Today’s key takeaway


It’s easy to lose sight of our own strength when life gets complicated, but what if that inherent clarity and capability never actually left? Buddhability explores that very idea through the lived experiences of everyday people. Host Cassidy Bradford guides genuine conversations with a community of practicing Buddhists from SGI-USA, who share how they navigate real-world challenges. You’ll hear personal stories that touch on everything from mental resilience and physical well-being to navigating career shifts and personal relationships. This isn’t about abstract theory; it’s a practical look at applying Buddhist principles to uncover a more confident and compassionate way of living. Each episode of the podcast feels like a thoughtful dialogue, focusing on how to reconnect with that inner resourcefulness-your Buddhability-amidst the stress and clutter of modern life. The discussions are grounded in the belief that enlightenment isn’t a distant goal, but a potential we can all access right now to improve our own lives and positively impact the world around us. Tune in for honest reflections and discover how this perspective can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 244

Buddhability
Podcast Episodes
What It Took to Make My Dreams a Reality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:22
Buddhism helps us to build a solid inner life that isn’t swayed by our circumstances. That strength is the key to having the confidence needed to take action toward our dreams. Today’s guest, Christopher Robin Donaldson,…
A Skeptic's Approach to Buddhism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:09
It’s natural to have doubt. The key, however, is whether we use our questions as fuel to seek out answers. Confidence in the power of Buddhist practices grows with time as you see actual proof of change in your life.Toda…
How Living True to Myself Improved My Relationships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:22
Whether we like it or not, we don’t exist in isolation. The interconnection of life means that when we change, our environment changes as well. Today’s guest, Heidi Hayashi, of Stratford, Conn., shares how finding the co…
Buddhability Short: Caring for ourselves and others [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:51
Buddhability Shorts are monthly episodes where we break down a Buddhist concept that we’ve touched on in an interview. This month, we’re talking about why Buddhist practice is neither simple altruism nor is it focused so…
Anatomy of a Dream [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:52
This week we’re talking about dreams. How do we dream? How do we find purpose in our dreams? And if we have a clear dream, how we pursue it. We’re speaking with two young Buddhists: one who learned how to open her life u…
Your Stories of Gratitude [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:29
As we head into the final stretch of the year, we bring you the voices of several Buddhability listeners sharing appreciation for someone in their life. References mentioned:The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, p…
Breaking Free from Self-Imposed Limitations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:56
Believing that we each possess limitless wisdom, courage and compassion—what we call Buddhability—can be a daily battle. Many of us impose limitations on ourselves, believing that we’re not capable of accomplishing our d…
Listener Episode: Send us your stories on gratitude! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35
We’re creating a special episode about gratitude with stories from listeners. To submit, send a voice memo of no more than 1 minute to connect@sgi-usa.org sharing a quick story about someone you appreciate. It can be a s…
SGI President Daisaku Ikeda Passes Away [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:07
Today we share the news of Buddhist philosopher and Soka Gakkai International (SGI) President Daisaku Ikeda’s passing and the impacts of his life and work.
How I Stopped Letting Anger and Fear Control Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:13
Fear and anger can be overpowering. Especially when they’re grounded in past and deeply personal experience. While our fears may feel justified they can also hold us back from accomplishing our goals and living a happy l…