A few weeks ago, I was riding in the car with a coworker on the way to a work event. We started at the company around the same time and were talking about our goals in terms of where we want to be down the road in our careers.
She mentioned the fact that we’ve been out of college for 9 years (yeeessh), and currently, we’re in entry-level positions after making career changes.
“I don’t want to guess anymore,” she said.
I understood her point… but I can’t say I feel the same way.
I’ve always, always been a dreamer. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I think something bigger is still out there for me. And maybe that’s because I do have a wild imagination, or I’m nuts, or I just like to pretend, but I’m not ready to give up on those dreams.
I still picture my name in print under a headline at The New York Times. I wish that one day, I’ll see one of my books on an actual shelf, in a real bookstore. I want to start a podcast. I also want to hire an intern. I have recently become obsessed with screenwriting and maybe one day I can write a movie or a TV series.
I have always pictured myself going to some kind of awards show; and a really big secret? I’ve totally practiced my acceptance speech. I’ve also pictured myself getting married; particularly on a vineyard, wearing a champagne colored gown. In my daydreams? I’m just a few steps away from actually meeting John Mayer and us falling in love and living in a giant cabin in Montana. Blanche totally approves.
I want to live near the beach and be able to take sunset strolls in the sand. Maybe I’ll have a summer home. Maybe I’ll move to New York and write for my favorite blog, Manrepeller.
It sounds nuts, I know. And I also know that is the struggle that many creatives face – we have so many passions, but we cannot weigh which ones are more important than the others, or how to fit in to the boxes society tells us we should in order to successfully get by.
But I think now, more than ever, the innovators are blazing a trail for all of us. We don’t necessarily have to do the things our parents did in order to live the American dream.
So, are my daydreams setting me up for disappointment or do they have anything good going for them? I found several articles that listed the benefits of daydreaming, including one from Life Hack. According to the article, some of the benefits include:
- Further developing your creativity
- Improved memory
- Improved performance and productivity
- Lower stress levels
- Build hope and anticipation
Sounds like a win-win, if you ask me. But I’m curious: what are you dreaming of? Are there dreams you know you really could accomplish within the next month, year, or five years? Are there dreams that seem impossible?
I even have a dream of having a working herb garden on my patio…totally doable, but I just have to DO it. I know dreams can seem silly, but I’m not going to give up on them. After all, they’re so beautiful and fun. Instead, perhaps I’ll dream up the plans to make them a reality. What about you?
“If I ever get around to livin’, it’s gonna be just like I dreamed.” -John Mayer
The Bitter Lemon 