I’ve never liked the saying Follow your Dreams. What the heck? Dreams are ephemeral, gauzy and unrealistic. I much prefer goal setting and strategizing in order to meet those goals.
The whole Follow your Dreams thing is just so … dreamy. It bugs me. I believe in stretch goals. Is it semantics? No, it’s an important distinction.
Dreams differ from goals and objectives in their essence. Dreams are what happens when your mind wanders. They are conjured by uncalculated and unsupervised cognitive meandering. I enjoy my dreams, both daydreams and those when I’m asleep. I do not direct my life by them.
Objectives, on the other hand, are intentional and have intellectual meaning. Stretch goals are based on reason and yet take you out of your comfort zone and put you on a path to becoming more.
The word “passion” is similar in my book. Passion connotes strong emotion – an emotion that drives you. But what happens when that emotion wanes, as emotions do? Instead of “passion” I prefer “dedication to reaching those goals.”
“Follow your dreams” and “live your passions” are insanely unhelpful tips when the bills need paying or the rent is almost due.
I have short term goals, mid-range goals and a 15 year plan. I like the idea of looking ahead and having a direction.
So dream if you must. But then set your objectives and goals, and create a strategy to stretch yourself. You won’t be disappointed when you wake up.