The Truth About Following Your Dreams
The Truth About Following Your Dreams
And the danger of success stories
The Truth About Following Your Dreams
Success stories and articles offer catchy phrases about how to follow your dreams, and some even question if it’s a good idea. Questioning is a good idea, as long as the goal is a better understanding.
One can make an informed decision when armed with a balanced view. So let’s dive into the truth about following your dreams.
What is a Dream
Some people think of "living the dream" as sitting on a beach watching the sunset, or owning a beautiful mansion, or being rich and famous. But these are things, events, status, and recognition. They are the results and outcomes of goals and desires. And they are experiences that will fade away. And what we find on the other side of the experience is the same life we had.
I personally dream of building a home that is completely designed to my taste and needs. But what if my dream came true today? Then what? Would I live happily ever after? I don't think so. Dreams are much deeper than things. So, what is a dream?
Like most important concepts in life, we must have clear definitions. This is the best definition I have come up with so far:
A dream is a specific way we choose to live and express our purpose through using our gifts and the desires of our heart in a way that is deeply fulfilling, and of benefit to others.
There is nothing in that definition that implies following your dreams is supposed to pay the bills, make you rich and famous, or get the home of your dreams.
The truth is, for many people, the concept of following your dreams is not well understood.
The Truth About Following Your Dreams
Here is the truth about following your dreams. The good news is, dreams are achievable for everyone. The hard news is, dreams take time (don't breeze over the word "time") and deliberate personal growth. These are two uncomfortable truths about following your dreams. The true target for a dream is a lifetime (and beyond). This is where most people abandon their dreams and give up.
Dreams Are Not Jobs
Not everyone fits in the entrepreneur start-up mold. Following your dreams does not equal entrepreneurship (although it can include it). Sadly, this is where many people get tripped up. They think "How can I make a living with my dream?" This is one of the first places that dreams fail to even get off the ground. They aren't given a chance because people believe that their dreams must pay the bills of life. But dreams are not jobs. Their purpose is not to pay the bills. Dreams are dreams.
Dreams Can Be Foggy
For many people, dreams can dwell as a dormant desire to fulfill their potential. Dreams can be foggy and unclear. Wrestling with a foggy vision of our purpose and who we truly want to become can take years. I have been wrestling with my dreams for decades. At some point you just decide to get good at wrestling.
Building Dreams Takes Time
Maybe even a lifetime. And each person’s timeline is unique. Sometimes we just have to go through many different life experiences until we land on something that feels right. This is the building of patience and persistence.
Building Dreams Requires New Skills
I say "building" because that is the best word to describe the process. It is an ongoing building process from start to finish. Every dream builder has to learn building skills. There is no way around this fact.
Building Dreams Takes Deep Work
Dream builders get to wrestle with the deep questions of life, such as: What is your purpose? What is your definition of success? What is your dream? What are your talents? What do you want in life? How do you start? These are deep questions. But deep questions come with deep rewards.
Building Dreams Is Not All Sunshine and Roses
Foggy dreams. Feeling like you’re getting nowhere. No one cares if you continue, or quit. You might even feel like you are wasting your time. These are the dark times. And it comes with the territory. The good news is, through each dark time, we learn how to make it through. And over the months, and years, it gets a little smoother. It still hurts, but it gets smoother because we have the experience of coming out of each dark time.
Some Dreams May Never Be Realized
Life has many struggles. Some people never get a chance. There are circumstances that are beyond our control. Our dream might not be what we really wanted. But the possibility of not realizing a dream should not stop us from dreaming, because dreaming is the reward.
Dreams Are For Serving
This is a big truth. We tend to think about our dreams as something exclusively for us. But the fullness of living your dreams come from using your purpose and gifts in service to others. Our dreams should help others get what they want. This truth keeps us grounded. And it also reminds us that it doesn’t take heroic talent or charming charisma in order to serve. Everyone can serve. So dreams are for everyone.
The Rewards of Following Your Dreams
Now, let’s get to the good news. Let’s talk about rewards! A life of living your dreams is filled with continuous rewards. Here are just a few:
1. Fulfillment
Your dreams are linked to deep fulfillment in life. Following your dreams allows you to actively express who you are and explore what you can do. There is no other activity in life that allows this.
2. Full Autonomy
You have full control of your dreams. No one can tell you what your dream should be. You make every decision.
3. Full Growth
Because your dream is your vision, you make the calls. But many of the decisions can be difficult. You are the leader, so you have to deal with every problem. This is where serious growth happens. This is where character is built.
There are many other benefits (which I discuss in my books), and some are amazing! Why? Because living your dream will teach you things you would have never known otherwise. You will have times of deep satisfaction and fulfillment. You will see and understand things that you never were conscious of before. And finally, there is a spiritual connection with dreams, because dreams come from the heart.
How to Live Your Dreams
Dreams are for living, now, every day, wherever you are. If you actively pursue your dreams then you are LIVING YOUR DREAMS.
We were born to dream, from childhood, to adulthood, to our last day on Earth.
Anyone who is pursuing their dreams, no matter how big or small, is living their dreams. And living your dreams can start today.
To your success!
James Wilder
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