Lead Your Dreams

"Don't just follow your dreams. Lead them! - Sally Hogshead

What a remarkable thought. One of those life changing thoughts, the kind that actually makes a difference in your life.

Think about it. To follow something is actively passive. When the dream stops, we stop. When the dream moves, we move. When the dream ambles through country lanes and doesn't seem to be going towards the final goal, we too amble along, undoubtedly frustrated that the dream is not moving faster but accepting of the fact because, after all, dreams are to be followed. Never question the path of a dream.

But the reality is that dreams are really only inner reflections of ourselves. The dreams exist because we have brought life into them. So the (perhaps logical) question is how do we follow something that doesn't exist without our active involvement in making it exist? In reality, if we suddenly abandoned the dream, it would cease to exist. We end up following a ghost which we believe is a life destiny leading us but in reality was a construct we imbued with life in the first place.

Unless.

Unless we do as Hogshead suggests and lead our dreams.

Would this make our dreams any less powerful? Not at all. Does this make them any less real? No - because as products of our thoughts, they are no more or less real being leading or being followed.

What this does do is that it recognizes them for what they are - our aspirations, our goals - and what they can inspire us to, but acknowledges the fact that a dream is no more likely to lead us to success than a wish is. The reality is that the dream will only come true through effort and work, not be simply following.

So bring your dreams along - absolutely. You'll need their inspiring talk and laughter and occasional jokes along the journey to help you. Just understand that a dream is a companion - an inspiring one - but never a guide.

Like many other things in life, that is a role only you can fulfill.