On Speaking Your Dreams Out Loud

A while ago, I met somebody about my age and we were chatting about shared interests and hobbies. This transitioned into talking about things we’re working toward in our personal and professional lives and they proceeded to tell me about one of their big dreams.

My first reaction was one of shock. Here was my peer talking about wanting to do something that I had already written off in my brain as unlikely at best, impossible at worst. But impossible for who?

Is that not my own limitation? Why place that on them?

My second reaction was one of awe. How cool it is to be willing to so immediately tell someone else of your dream, especially when it’s a “crazy one.” Especially when you’ve just met.

I wonder sometimes why I do not do this. Open as I am, don’t I keep some things too close? What if it never happens? What if I never achieve it?

Worse yet, what if I never try to?

I want to be someone whose word means something. Perhaps that is why I am hesitant to say with confidence that I am going to do xyz. Because unfortunately, if I say I’m going to do something, I have to follow through. But there’s a big difference between saying I’m going to do something and saying I’m going to try. 

And isn’t it so cool to try? 

Beyond that, isn’t my first reaction when someone says they are working toward something big to think about who in my life I can connect them to or how I can support them in that dream? And so why not tell the people in my life what I’m working toward? Might not they also want to cheer me on the way I would them?

My third reaction was the worst: am I actually afraid of failure? And wow is that embarrassing at 31.

So here is my call to action this week—to myself and to you. Show your cards. Speak your dreams out loud. Find a community of people who will actively encourage them… who will check up on your progress… who will hold you accountable. Be relentless in your pursuit but don’t be afraid to course correct. Take nobody’s limitations as your own. Remove doubt, as much as you can, from the occasion. Be the inspiration.

Claim your ambitions. You are so worthy of the prize.