I think one of the great ironies of my life is that for my current part time teaching gig, one of my main duties is teaching time management and anti-procrastination techniques to college freshman. Luckily, they don’t see my house or the list of unfinished chores sitting on my counter because I think I would lose any and all credibility.
All in all, I don’t have a whole lot to say today. (Shocker!) We spent most of the day chilling out inside because it is too hot outside to even function. We did have a short bit of excitement when I came home to a carbon monoxide alarm, but after having three kindly firemen come to our home, they determined that it was just a faulty detector (thank God!) and it all ended with them ripping the device out of my wall. It leaves quite an unattractive hole, but luckily we have CO2 detectors in every other room while we wait to find a new one.
I wanted to share one thing with you all that I came across today.
“We’ve let ourselves be neutered of any real desire or grand ambitions for change by heeding the advice of the “realists” and the standard bearers of the status quo, who tell us to set ‘smart’ goals. But these types of attainable goals never spark the imagination or fire the will. We are now a culture flooded with goals and spreadsheets and work plans that inspire no heart, no drive, no courage. I say, you want to change? Then do not, under any circumstances, allow yourself to settle on a vision or a calling or a change in any arena that is uninspiring. If you’re going to have clarity on something in your life, make it something so big and bright and meaningful that you will get out of bed and chase it until you grasp it or die. Bring forth a desire that knows no safe boundaries and even scares you a little bit, that will demand all the best that is in you, that takes you out of your own orbit and into the stratosphere of the remarkable. That kind of desire changes your life, and it changes the world.” Brendon Burchard
Now there is a big part of me that takes issue with part of this as I see that it is incredibly necessary to create attainable goals. However, I tend to think we misinterpret what that well meaning advice implies. Yes, our goals work best if they are attainable; however, perhaps that doesn’t mean they have to be average. Why can’t we dream big as long as we are able to create concrete plans and details that will help us meet those goals.
When children dream of their future, we don’t tell them to tone it down or think more realistically. We want their dreams to soar because we know that with time their natural abilities and inclinations will help inform their goals.
I think somewhere along the road from childhood to adulthood, we lose the ability to dream big and pursue those dreams with passion. I’m not saying you should go run a marathon if running isn’t your thing or go skydiving or even change your career. I’m just saying that if those things do matter to you, if they would make you feel alive, then why not go for them?
I’ve spent a lot of time trying not to dream too big, and the results aren’t all that appealing. In an effort at moderation and balance (some things that never come easily to me) I lost my spark and my fire. And I want it back.
So I am going to dream big, and I am going to believe in my ability to make most of my dreams come true.
What would you dream about if you weren’t afraid of failing? What changes could help you move from making it through life to truly excelling at it? What would make you feel alive?