“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” ―Eleanor Roosevelt
Recently, I had coffee with a friend. We talked about family and sports and the weather. At one point, he asked what exciting things were happening in my life.
I told him about my dream to build orphanages and become directly involved in orphan care around the world. I had mentioned the idea to a few close family members, but this was the first time I had told him specifically. He became immediately interested.
The topic soon became the focus of our conversation—though not at all like you might expect. In fact, he knew more about the subject than I did.
He asked dozens of questions. I answered most of them by saying, “I’m not sure. We’re still trying to figure that out. For now, it’s just a dream. I don’t know how I am going to get there.”
It’s not always easy to answer, “I don’t know.” But, in that moment, I was content with my response. I don’t have all the answers. For now, it is just a dream. It is definitely an important one for my wife and me; but still, right now, it is just a dream.
All dreams start as thoughts alone in our mind. And too many dreams end there—solitary thoughts that simply fade away.
The quickest and most effective first step to make dreams come true is to share them aloud. (tweet that)
Of course, this can also be one of the most difficult steps.
We often fear:
- Ridicule. We fear somebody will call us crazy for dreaming. And the more specific we get, the more this fear grows. This can be particularly difficult to overcome if our lives are (or have been) surrounded by pessimistic, negative family or friends.
- Exposure. Rarely do we have all the answers when we first begin. Sometimes, we don’t even know how we are going to get started. That’s okay. But this can be difficult to overcome if we are accustomed to being in control or knowledgeable.
- Embarrassment. There are no guarantees that any dream will be fulfilled in the end. And it may seem the best protection plan against embarrassment is to never tell anyone ever about our desires.
But most of these fears are overblown in our mind. In fact, the benefits far outweigh the fears.
Consider how the simple act of telling our dreams to others helps make them reality. It helps us:
Gain resolve. Sharing our dreams helps remind us why we had them in the first place. We speak positively of the accomplishment we hope to achieve or realistically of the problem we seek to solve. This resolve encourages us to press forward.
Find clarity. By articulating our dreams aloud, we find clarity in understanding their uniqueness. Dawson Trotman once said, “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and the fingertips.” Speaking your dreams brings greater clarity in your mind and the minds of those around you.
Articulate. Effective storytelling takes practice. Every time we share a story with others we get better at telling it. We learn what points resonate with others, what word pictures stir emotion, and which punchlines result in laughter. On some level, every dream worth accomplishing requires the support of others. Learning to articulate your story better is an essential part of its fulfillment.
Uncover help. People are generous, intelligent, connected. And almost all of them are cheering for you. Your friends and family want you to accomplish your dreams and are willing to help you get there. But they can’t help if they don’t know what you are trying to accomplish.
Recruit accountability. It is one thing to go on a diet and hope to lose 15 pounds. It is something completely different to go on a diet and tell your friends that you are hoping to lose 15 pounds. Suddenly, there is more incentive to follow through with your decision. The simple act of sharing with your friends has granted them permission to follow-up with conversations and provide accountability. This is scary, but this is important.
Inspire others. Your dreams (and subsequent action) have the power to invite others to chase their own dreams with greater urgency. To live and dream is to offer hope. Sometimes the only thing somebody else needs to get started chasing their own dreams is to see someone they love chasing theirs.
We are good people. We desire to live lives of lasting significance.
At the very least, we are a community in agreement that our lives are too valuable to waste chasing material possessions.
You are dreaming big dreams. Be bold this week. Take the next step and share them with someone you love.
Love. This. Post. I appreciate you so much Joshua. You are so transparent and that is a beautiful thing.
“Sometimes the only thing somebody else needs to get started chasing their own dreams is to see someone they love chasing theirs.”-This is something that has been impressed upon my heart lately. Thanks for saying it again.
Hello, I’ve recently discovered this blog and I’m loving the content.
This post really hit a nerve with me particularly the bit where you talk about having been surrounded by negative family members. I grew up in a family that was and still is very negative. I’m still trying to undo a lifetime of negativity. When I’m faced with a new situation my first thought is always NO. Very bad.
Because of this I don’t even know what my dreams are anymore. I don’t really know what I can achieve. How on earth do I get over this massive obstacle?
The first thing I would recommend doing is adapting a positive mindset.
I recently completely changed how I look at life. Even though I’m a christian, I still struggled with the negativity. I finally said “Enough is enough. I don’t want to be this way anymore.”
Since the change of mindset, I can’t count the ways my life has improved. My attitude is better. I’m more confident and encouraging with others. But the best part of all was when I publically announced I wanted to pursue writing.
The amount of support that has flocked in is absolutely incredible! I always thought nobody cared for my writing and people are ready to read my stuff.
Pursue your dreams and your it will become your reality!
Gabriella, I’ve come from a lot of negativity in my life as well and trying to untangle all of that too. So I get your frustration in not knowing what step to take next bc I’ve been asking the same question. What do I need to do to make these dreams a reality? Jump where when one says “jump”?
But for me, I feel confident from this awesome post that it somewhat answers the question, “Gain resolve. Sharing our dreams helps us remind us why we had them in the first place. (Although sometimes we have no control over our dreams.) We hope to achieve or realistically of the problem we see to solve. This resolve encourages us to press forward. Find clarity by articulating our dreams aloud, we find clarity in understanding their uniqueness… Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and the fingertips.”
Hope this brings clarity for you too! :)
Best regards, Toni
This is just what I needed to hear. Your blog has helped me so much, I just want to thank you. Next week, my husband and I are letting go of our life in California and moving to the Midwest to pursue our dream. Some people don’t understand why we would give up a comfortable life to live in the middle of nowhere on a farm, but we couldn’t be more excited and ready to adopt a more purposeful, minimalist lifestyle. Other people completely get it.
Reading this blog has been so affirming for us so thank you again!
Hi Cassi,
I totally get it (see my post below). Kudos to taking this awesome and admirable step!
Thank you so much! I hope you are able to continue to to get more healthy and pursue what matters. :)
Good for you both! Best of luck. I live in the Midwest and couldn’t imagine anywhere else. Lots of farm land and open fields, farmers markets, friendly people. Slower pace and peace of mind.
Thank you! Yes, we are going to be living in an old farmhouse off a dirt road ourselves. I know it will be a huge adjustment, but I couldn’t be more excited!
If you have not, I highly recommend you read:
George Muller of Bristol
By: Arthur T. Pierson
Fantastic work on a man’s call to be personally involved in orphan care. I have read this book four or five times now. Not sure if his call to lifestyle or call to orphans attracts me the most to find myself coming back to this memoirs of a man that truly lived for others.
Cheers.
My dream was to quit my stressful job and get a new perspective on living and work, even though I wasn’t sure of where new paths may lead. Although fairly lucrative, my job was slowly destroying me both mentally and physically. The word ‘fear’ is so precise and I felt trapped for many years. Recently, I decided to overcome years of fear and conditioning and simply end it (with my wife’s support of course!) Since then, my disposition has changed for the better and my blood pressure has dropped from the danger zone it was constantly flirting with. When people find out that I quit a well paid job without something else concrete lined up, I often get asked ‘is everything okay?’ So many people cannot comprehend it, which is truly unfortunate. I have enjoyed the brief time off to re-energize myself and rediscover what is truly important in life. For me, it has never been about ‘things’, and I really love reading the posts from the minimalist community as therein lie so many truths. ‘I don’t know’ what lies ahead just yet, and I am absolutely fine with that. Thanks Joshua, for being a beacon of reason – keep up your great work!
Thank you for these Words! I needed to read this, to share and speak about my Dreams.
You are an inspriration to me, to persue my Dreams and live my Life in my own way. I make the rules.
Thank you!!!
This is just what I needed to read today Joshua – thanks! I’m just at the beginning on my ‘dream-chasing journey’ and every one of my friends and family that I’ve mentioned it to has been nothing but supportive so fingers crossed that with some determination and drive I manage to pull it off :)
Just discovered your blog Joshua, and love it already. This is a challenging and powerful post. Going through this process in my own life right now and have held back for the exact reasons you mentioned. This is a good reminder for me. Thanks for sharing Joshua.
It,s who or what you place your trust in, Honour God and He will Honour you, Joshua take careful steps but if your heart is right then you cannot fail because people who fail never try, anything you do for those children big or small will be a blessing, don,t under estimate that, you will make a difference, Jesus didn,t solve all worlds crisis’s he did his part (more than enough) and left the rest for us. Seek God and wise council and you will succeed, bless you and your family love Jacqueline xx
Thank you for this post. I have always been afraid to share my dreams with the people around me, because I have been ridiculed in the past for them. That’s one of the reasons I started blogging, so that I could share my dreams with strangers, who seemed more supportive than the people that I was surrounded by.
The more I move towards my dream, I know that one day, I will be able to share it with my loved ones, without any fear.
“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” Thank you for appearing in my inbox this morning. The student (me) is ready. My dream is to coach individuals who are ready to work toward their best career/life – through the science of positive psychology.
Wow Joshua…your dream is much more noble than mine! Remember, I told you my “dream” has always been to live in an enormous old mansion?! :) BTW—I was orphaned, Joshua. It was horrible. I couldn’t even begin to share here what we kids went through. My best advice would be to start small…first “bloom where you’re planted”. Then your seeds could spread, if you so desire. Just don’t forget about us! :) We love/need this blog! <3
I’m finding out that this is a process. Following your dreams is one of the most important things we can do for our psyche. Please don’t let anyone tell you that your dreams are nonsense. Follow your own vision as that is the only one that matters. Enjoy the journey, its all we really have.
A wonderfully inspiring post, Joshua. My husband’s and my dream has started taking shape by first moving from a 3200 square foot 4 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom, 1,150 square foot apartment. Letting go of so much stuff has been liberating; and to live in a minimalisticly furnished apartment is so peaceful. Part 2 of the dream being worked on now, our retirement in Mexico. Sometime the dream comes in stages.
My dream is to live a simple life and be able to travel different parts of the world.
Hello,
I’m an 18 year old college student and I just started an anonymous blog about my abusive family and financial troubles. I’d like to get more of a following on my blog so I was wondering what tips you have to becoming more popular?
Thank you!
http://www.hopefulfailingfamily.com
You are 18, an adult. An anonymous blog that “accepts” donations will not sit right with most people. You could be anyone.
I have shared with others my desire to learn Afrikaans after discovering some South African singers I just love. I live in San Antonio, TX with nobody around to speak with. But God has clearly pointed me in this direction and spoke to my heart to expose myself to the language and learn what I can. He has laid South Africa on my heart, but I cannot go there for medical reasons. I see the country going downhill, and can only guess there may be another mass-exodus, perhaps to the US. I feel kind of like Abram when God told him to set out from Ur, not quite knowing where God wanted him to go, but knew he was to go. By telling family and friends, they give me ideas to learn the language and seek out Afrikaners to speak with. Yes, a few wondered why not Spanish, which would be more practical in a place like Texas. But God has been clear that Afrikaans is to be MY language. We shall see where this leads…. ;-)
Hello Joshua, Great post! I am tremendously inspired by this year’s Nobel Prize winners – Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai. My blog post “Change the World” http://www.ahhthesimplelife.com/change-the-world/ includes some information about them.
Cheers, Carol
Great post. I’m 52, married with a son just out of college who just got a great job at a technology company. My husband and i sold our large home after our son graduated from high school. my husband left his well-paying job over 2 years ago to work on something he always wanted to do. I’m thinking is my term now, but I am not sure what I want to do. One thing is for sure: I don’t want to do what I’m doing now until I retire. How could I start?
Charanda,
a great place to start is to look at the overlap in your life: what are you good at, what do you love to do, and how does it help others. There’s lots of exercises that bring these out in your life. I spent alot of time last year working through those. Look up Aaron Ross and Unique Genius (google him). He’s great in bringing out those things. There is also an entrepreneurial facet to it, if you’re interested in making money in that mix too. Good luck and have fun. joe
My dream is to build retreat centers for women where they can journey deeper in their faith, become devoted followers of Christ, have a safe place to fall apart, heal and be exactly who God created them to be, and provide a safe haven for women who are survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.
Joshua,
Thanks for sharing. Great post. I love how you teach by personal example. it’s simple and yet very engaging. It’s not preachy.
the topic of dreams can be so out there, but you bring it down to earth with the ‘i don’t know’. yeah, at first it sounds bad. but really, it can move you in the right direction. i’m taking time this off season to do more dreaming and digging into those dreams. it’s a practical time of vetting out ideas and seeing if they have any legs. the parts that stick around become the base for the dream to become reality. thank again, joe
Finding clarity is definitely key to living out our dreams. Not only should we talk about our dreams, writing them down does wonders for focus and achieve. Thanks for the great thoughts here, my friend.
Wow!! Joshua..your post encouraged me to live my life and follow my dreams not matter what. Loved it. Thank you so much! I will always be enthusiastic and achieve my dreams.