When I was younger, my mind knew no bounds. My imagination was filled with images from books, movies, cartoons, and video games. This led me to create robust scenarios as I played with my friends. We reenacted battles between cowboys and Indians, pretended to be Michael Jordan in the fourth quarter of the NBA Finals, or hold the last stand against an alien invasion on Earth using snowballs as our only weapons. You can’t tell me you didn’t do similar things.
But sometime between age seven and now, my ability to have big dreams and plans was restrained. The logical part of my brain took over and started sending pessimistic vibes to the grandiose ideas in my head. I submitted to the norms of society, kept getting good grades, started a comfortable corporate career, and quit having dreams for my future. I lived my life from ages 14 to 24 as if it was planned out for me already.
“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big.”
~ Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1846-1912)
As you’ve grown older, have you started limiting your dreams and imagination?
When you were a kid, did you dream of becoming something great, only to give up on that dream along the way? When you were in college, did you change your major because of the potential future paychecks and not because you were passionate about it? Even now, do you create a bubble around your job, home, and family that you assume your life must be contained in, never looking to expand it?
Stop Worrying So Much
Sometimes you just need to quit worrying so much about what you should be doing and do what you want to do.
I have friends that just moved all the way across the country with twin babies under a year old because they knew that is what they wanted to do. Would it have been easier to stay where they were? Probably. Would they have been doing themselves a disservice by not following their dreams? Absolutely. Would they have regretted not going their whole life? You’re damn right they would have.
Everyone needs to have big plans for their life and they need to work everyday towards reaching them.
After much deliberation, my fiancé turned down a graduate school program that was willing to pay for a substantial amount of the program because she felt like she was only doing it because “it was the smart thing to do.” She has instead decided to follow her passion and do what brings a smile to her face every time she does it: photography. It is one of the most competitive small business industries there is, but she has the drive to be successful in it.
Just Do It
If you aren’t dreaming big, what’s the point?
My big plans in the next six months are to leave “Corporate America”, work on my own terms, and travel the world to places I have always wanted to go (New Zealand and Indonesia are up first).
It won’t be easy, but I can do it.
And you can too.
What is your big dream?
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If your big dream involves growing an online audience, website, business, or blog, check out the re-launch of Traffic School by Corbett Barr of Think Traffic. Pocket Changed wouldn’t be where it is today without my enrollment in the initial launch of Traffic School. Get more information about Tuesday’s launch of Traffic School program here.
There is also a case study on the launch page specifically about Pocket Changed and how Traffic School has helped me take it to the next level. He’s only opening admission for a few days, then it will close to new members, so check it out now!
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Great advice Caleb. You’re right, as you get older, even in my 30′s I find I have to really motivate myself to JUST DO IT. I’ve been considering Traffic School versus Internet Business Mastery, but need to pick one and just GO! Any advice?
Hey Matt, I haven’t been through IBM, just listened to their podcasts, so my opinion is based solely off the fact that I went through Traffic School.
If your main focus is building up an audience, gaining a following, and driving traffic to your website I would highly recommend Traffic School.
I’ve been talking about moving out of my current city for years (Columbus, Ohio) and it’s looking like it’s going to happen next month! Austin, Texas - here I come! But as far as big dreams go, I find my dreams getting “smaller” as I get older. I turn 40 this year, and in my younger days I wanted the huge thriving business that made a major impact on the community. . . now I just want to help people and make an income that sustains my needs, allows for a bit of travel, and puts some money aside for a rainy day. I don’t think bigger is necessarily better. Maybe “genuine” is better.
BAM! Big goal Vic. I’m excited for your move and if I swing through Austin I’ll let you know.
As for your goals getting “smaller”, I think they are just getting better refined and re-defined. Keep it up Vic.
My dream is to be able to be in control of my own time. Travel the world , have a family and live comfortably! I also want to be able to help less fortunate children.. I just need to find out how to make it happen.. That’s the frustrating part.
I think your dream is closer than you think Aaron. The time in your day is always under your control. Keep working on your plan to make it happen and I know you’ll get there.
I still have big dreams. I want to be financially independent. Another words, eventually have enough passive income, where I don’t need a job. I’ve got some ideas on how to get there, but Its hard to stay focused because I have been zig zagging so much, trying to adapt at what life, and this economy throws at me. Still moving forward, although a bit slower than I’d like.
It is okay to have multiple streams in work, as long as you are giving your full attention to some of the bigger earning opportunities.
Take a look at what you really want to work on most and put the others aside for a few days. Multitasking too much can be a huge determent to your output.