If you want to achieve your dreams, you have to be relentless about making them happen. It takes a lot of focus and drive to achieve one’s goals.
That’s because our dreams are usually out of reach. Why else would it be a dream?
It’s not easy. And there’s a high price to pay for pursuing it. That’s why only crazy, driven people go after their dreams.
Most folks prefer the certainty of a 9-5 job, watching a TV show in the evening, and going out on the weekend.
They don’t work on their dreams. But if you do, then it means you’re different. And in the eyes of many people, you’re crazy. And that’s okay.
The problem: Chasing too many dreams
Look, the problem is not that you’re a little crazy. You don’t have to be ashamed if you try to become the best in your field. Or if you want to become a millionaire.
But here’s the catch: Humans tend to bite off more than they can chew when it comes to dreams.
We don’t want just one slice of life; we want the whole pie. We want to bench press our way to fitness, charm people with our Spanish, and savor every bite of that pizza.
But our time and resources are limited. Willpower and good habits can only go so far. Unless you’re born with generational wealth, perfect genetics, and a social circle that gives you the best opportunities in the world — You’ll have to work hard for your dreams. And if you’re chasing too many things, you likely won’t achieve your big goals.
So you have to decide: What major goal is truly important to you? Which dream do you genuinely want to work for?
Achieving a dream is all about the process, not the results. If you want to be a millionaire, you need to do something you enjoy that earns you millions in the process. If you want to be a famous writer, you have to enjoy writing consistently.
Dreams take time to happen. And only those who love the process can stay the course long enough to achieve their desired results.
Tips to achieve your crazy dreams
Imagine an ambitious goal for yourself. Say you want to write a book, switch to a completely different career, or start your own business.
If your goal is something you have to do because your life and the lives of people you care about depend on it – then how could you increase your odds of success?
Try this:
- Always aim high. People will try to make fun of you. Tell you to be more ‘realistic.’ They will try to marginalize you. Don’t listen. Never let the small-mindedness of others contaminate your mind.
- Focus on one thing per area. Divide your life into separate areas – say work, health, hobbies, relationships. Each area only gets one objective. Assign only one objective to each area. If you want to add more, be aware that each additional goal reduces your chances of success. Learn to decline other pursuits. Tasks that aren’t a top priority now can be executed more efficiently in the future.
- Adapt yourself. As Charles Darwin said: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” Try to be constantly aware of your environment. And adapt as needed.
- Get rid of your “okay” desires. There are many things we want in life that aren’t that important to us. We simply want them because they make things a bit easier or more convenient. This is fine, but doing too many can add up and distract you from your goals. Think about the latest iPhone, for example. Do you really need all those new features? Would you be happier if you spent your resources on a trip or quality time with a loved one instead? Focus on things that you truly want. And discard the rest.
- Embrace crazy. While you may not have the capacity to invent the next Facebook, solve world hunger, and send rockets to space — You can still aim to be a successful entrepreneur who also runs marathons. Pursuing success in business and maintaining physical fitness can be goals that complement each other: A healthier individual is often more productive.
Those who have truly made an impact on the world didn’t dilute their ambitions. They embraced their craziness.
To possess the strength to chase your dreams, you must resolutely reject all other paths. This is no simple feat. But being aware of the costs helps us to be more focused and intentional with our dreams. And the rewards that come with it.
