English 
Spanish 
6 min read 
DREAM – Is it worth insisting on an unlikely dream? Planning is the key to success.
Insist on a Dream – During some years of my life I had some undertakings so to speak… “quite different from each other” and without much, or without any, connection. I worked as a martial arts teacher at several academies, I taught computer science at schools in the field, I worked as an administrative assistant at a vehicle maintenance company, I had my own computer companies, etc. well, none of that (like insisting on a dream) you are interested, isn't it?
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You must be thinking: “and what do I have to do with it”?
If it motivates you, and if you have the patience to read this short story until the end, it is likely that it will inspire you a little more.
1st selection phase – TECHNICAL TESTS.
In 2005, I participated in an internship interview, at the age of 34, at a large metallurgical company in the copper industry. Competing with me were about 10 more people. They were all much younger than me, 25 years old at most. All those professionals told me, with an air of some tranquility, that they knew someone in that company. Oops! I didn't know anyone at that company. I thought I was wasting my time there, that I was only called to complete the quota of interviewees, and that the vacancy was probably already guaranteed for one of my competitors. I decided to continue the selection process anyway.
2nd phase of the selection – THE INTERVIEW.
Of the 11 competitors, only two people were called for an interview with the Occupational Safety managers the next day.
Guess? Me and another guy.
Upon arriving for the interview, the young man immediately told me that his uncle worked at that company and that he was very calm and confident. It was as if he was warning me: “you're wasting your time bro, the vacancy is mine”. In front of my weak smile, I wanted to “punch” that boy's face, but if I had already gotten there, then, I decided that it wouldn't be worth spoiling everything, right?
My head "tied a knot" and I thought: what am I doing here? Once again I decided to move on and the guy only lasted 10 minutes in his interview. You might be thinking: “it's Luis Franco… you're out of this one”.
When it was my turn for the interview, I immediately asked if the engineers wanted the interview in English or Portuguese. In my head I imagined: “Ah, since I won’t be called, I’ll show them the professional they lost”. They smiled and decided it would be in Portuguese anyway.
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Faced with the various questions that were asked of me, one I believed that, according to my answer, I would have been eliminated right then and there. The security engineer asked me the following:
what is your biggest dream (how to insist on a dream), and where do you see yourself in 5 years? (A cliché question from interviewers isn't it true?).
>> I replied: “I see myself traveling the world for work, getting to know different cultures, people, customs, experiencing the most varied foreign cuisines, learning and understanding different points of view in relation to my work, sharing knowledge with international colleagues, etc. To achieve this I will have to work in an offshore company (work on board) and convince my bosses that I deserve such opportunities”.
The engineer, obviously, found it a little strange and replied (it was almost as if she asked me, how dare you?
>> How dare you answer that if you're applying for a job at a metallurgical company where they won't be able to offer you these opportunities to travel abroad? Are you telling us that as soon as you have the opportunity, you will leave the company, even before you start? And if you can't reach your dream?
I answered:
>> Well, this company doesn't promise me hiring after the end of the internship. I need the internship to have my registration as a professional. As long as I'm working here I'll do the best I can for the company. About mine dream I will get yes. I just don't know when or how yet, but I'll get there for sure. I will not give up.
I was excused from the interview at that point, which had already lasted more than 45 minutes, and I went home with the certainty that I had lost that job once and for all. So I ended my reasoning for the day with the following thought: “I think I kicked the bucket”, but at least I have a clean soul.
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The call.
The next day I got a call from the company telling me I was hired. I won't lie, I I cried a lot in that day. After all, I had left my computer company to take a chance on a formal job and, like a good part of Brazilians, I had already been without a job for a long time, without money and with a wife and small daughter to support.
Employment conquered.
I spent two years at this company, I was hired as an employee, technician, officer after the internship, and then I was called to a large multinational in the oil well drilling business, earning more than twice as much and with several advantages and benefits that I didn't even imagine existed.
Realized dream.
I traveled the world for work, I visited more than 15 countries, took courses and acquired international certificates and went to the four corners of the planet. I have in my contacts friends and work colleagues from all over the world, I have already tried several foreign delicacies (some even exotic), I had the opportunity to be part of the customs, beliefs, joys and sorrows of personalities from various parts of this world. “The way I always dreamed".
What I want to tell you is that: don't doubt your dreams
Don't let them stop you. Don't listen to those who will try, and they sure will, to discourage you. “There are many more people in the manhole cheering you to fail than there are in the stands cheering you on.”
Second Henry Ford, “ There are more people who give up than people who fail.”
Even if it takes time to happen, stay focused. The most important thing is that you remember your goal every day. A tip so you don't forget what you want is to write it down somewhere, put it on your agenda and schedule it for let you know every day, or every week. Today, with the advancement of technology, you can use one of several mobile "apps" to make your dream "martele” in your mind as if to tell you: “Hi, remember me? You will still achieve this”. Research what you want, learn what it takes to get there.
Okay, okay, it's not easy, I was also afraid, I also wanted to give up, but the fear of “rowing, rowing, rowing and not getting anywhere” was less than my desire for victory.
I managed to have, even without having a single clue that it would work, the enormous desire to try everything that for years had only been in my head.
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New dreams.
At 46 years old today, I still have many dreams. Some are also hard to reach and where many would say it's too late for me. Do you know what I think about this and about those who try to discourage me?
ANYTHING. I just keep walking.
My cell phone app alerts me every day: “Hi, remember me? You will still achieve this”.
And you?
Quality dream (as insist on a dream) in the long term and what have you been doing to achieve it?
You will also FEEL BETTER when you read this: Ressignifying is necessary. Getting something good out of the situation will make you stronger.
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