Decoding The Reality Behind Chasing Dreams
“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” — Dr. Seuss.
Embarking in the pursuit of your dreams can be a fascinating, elusive, and deeply fulfilling journey. Step into the realm of those who boldly abandoned conventional paths to chase their aspirations, and you’ll find a resounding declaration that every moment invested in pursuing passion feels like a departure from the drudgery of mere work. Following one’s dreams can be scary because it is often shrouded in the unknown. This fear stifles some, while others grapple with the soul-destroying task of entrusting their destiny to a universe that seemingly rarely interacts with their ambitions.
Children are encouraged to “follow their dreams” from an early age, the advice shunned by parents and teachers alike. While the guidance is well-intentioned, an apparent shift occurs in middle school. High school counselors recommend a course of study streamed in math, science, arts, or humanities. Since university entrance scores depend on final year grades, shifting the focus from ‘dreams’ to grades makes sense. As teenagers approach their formidable years of educational life, the nostalgia of pursuing dreams shifts towards a fixed reality. Almost overnight following your bliss, as the American mythologist Joseph Campbell conveyed, is extinguished.
Regardless of whether you’re following a meticulous plan to pursue your dreams, the following points will help you map your course. I caution you: don’t believe pursuing your dreams is lined with the romanticism Hollywood films espouse. The American author and poet Henry David Thoreau wrote in his masterpiece book Walden: “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” He was referring to the hard work required to achieve your dreams.
A Journey of Challenges, Passion, and Fulfillment
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” — Michelangelo.
1. Dreams Emanate From the Soul
Your dreams are a call from the soul to pursue that which you love, yet serve others simultaneously. You are bestowed unique gifts that help you paint your life’s canvas. Such gifts may be tied to your talents, skills, and genius. Listen to the call of your soul by harnessing your potential – develop them; polish them until they are brilliant enough so everybody is aware of them.
2. Persevere Amidst Challenges
Many people give up on their dreams, believing they are impossible to achieve. Pursuing dreams is hard; dare I say, challenging at the best times, with little signs of success. But suddenly, everything falls into place if the timing is right. Often, with persistent effort, your dreams come alive when you least expect it. Be vigilant and tenacious in your pursuit of them.
3. Incremental Progress Matters
Sometimesyou may feel powerless to navigate ahead; don’t be concerned with following the steps, for they reveal themselves correctly. Each action unfolds in good time. Rush the process, and you risk leapfrogging into unchartered territory. If your intentions are well-meaning through sustained daily effort, success is imminent.
4. Adaptability in Pursuit
Flexibility is crucial when pursuing your dreams. Sometimes, opportunities you never expected land in your lap. A former TV personality once told me, “The key to my success has been the ability to take what’s offered at the time and run with it.”
5. Shed the Chains of Excuses
Excuses may hold you back, allowing you to play it safe. Individuals who accomplish great things have big aspirations. They fail often and are not afraid to keep trying. Don’t compromise your goals by keeping them at arm’s distance because you dare push past your comfort zone. Being safe may not always give you the outcomes you deserve.
6. Ignite an Unstoppable Passion
To achieve your dreams, it is crucial that you have an unwavering and passionate desire to pursue them. It is essential to eliminate doubts or uncertainties and focus on your goals with determination and persistence. Establish deep roots for your dreams to grow and nurture them daily. Connect with purpose and intention. Demand the best; the universe will greet you with the same wish—doors open in strange and mysterious ways when you align with purpose.
7. Cherish the Journey’s Significance
The most over-delivered advice nowadays is that one enjoys the journey instead of focusing on the prize. Ask anyone who has succeeded, and they’ll recount those uncertain times that stay etched in their minds. Life may never be the same once you achieve success. There is no turning back – savor the people you meet, the time to yourself, the struggles, the laughter, and enjoy yourself while pursuing that which you love.
8. Learn and Grow from Failure
Fail often, fail fast, and learn from your failures. If you’re not failing often, you’re not taking sufficient strides toward your dreams. To achieve success, it’s crucial to view failure as a guidepost that can help you get there. Reframing your perspective on failure can be a powerful personal and professional growth tool. It is an opportunity to improve, not a stop sign.
9. Navigate the Inevitable Sacrifices
Oprah Winfrey once said: “You can have it all, just not all at once.” You needn’t work around the clock to succeed, leading to burnout. Be willing to give up aspects of life that eventually yield long-term results. Never sacrifice family life since that is one thing you cannot win back.
10. Strategic Compromises for Success
Make adjustments when required. Sometimes life presents you with unexpected detours – take them. Trust and have faith you need to gain an essential skill for your dream to thrive. Steve Jobs credits taking a calligraphy class at college, which later helped him create fonts for Apple computers.
Pursuing your dreams is a transformative journey marked by challenges, uncertainties, and unwavering determination. As childhood encouragements to “follow your dreams” yield to the pressures of practicality, it becomes evident that the journey is not paved with Hollywood films’ romanticism. The transition from whimsical aspirations to the structured realities of life can be disheartening. Yet, the wisdom of visionaries like Thoreau and Michelangelo underscores the significance of aiming high and embracing the inevitable challenges.
The principles outlined, from recognizing the soul’s call to embracing failure and sacrifices, serve as a compass to navigate the path to your dreams. Flexibility and tenacity become allies, guiding you through unexpected detours and persistent efforts. In pursuing goals, it is essential to let go of excuses, discover a burning desire, and savor the journey. Remember, failures are not stop signs but guideposts leading to success. As you embark on this transformative journey, be willing to make sacrifices without compromising essential aspects of life. The ability to adapt, compromise when necessary, and learn from unexpected twists can be instrumental in realizing your dreams. Ultimately, there are no mistakes; every step, failure, and sacrifice contributes to the tapestry of your unique journey. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and cherish the profound joy of pursuing that which you love.
