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Most people
have fantasies, not dreams. Every time you imagine yourself
on TV accepting an Academy Award, or opening the newspaper
to find that you've topped the New York Times Best Seller's
List, or see yourself rounding the bases after hitting the
home run that not only won the game but the series, you're
fantasizing. Why fantasizing? Cause dreams take work and work
isn't what most people imagine when they have these thoughts.
I blame
Hollywood for this. The myth of the handsome young man accidentally
wandering into an audition studio only to be cast as the "New
Leading Man" or the perky young lady who sits down at
the counter drug store for a quick soda and ends up being
"discovered" makes great reading -- but it rarely
comes close to reality.
The fact
of the matter is that nobody gets anywhere without hard work.
Oh, sure, occasionally a bright-eyed hopeful from Oshkosh
is able to sell his first novel for six figures. But let's
be honest, given the number of bright-eyed hopefuls wandering
the streets on any given day, you have a better chance at
winning the lottery than having this happen to you.
And that's
what separates those who have a dream from those who just
want a fantasy. The person who is content to buy a lottery
ticket is hoping for a miracle. The person who is continually
studying, submitting, and looking to improve his skill and
artistry is living a dream.
Sometimes
that dream isn't easy. Sometimes a person has to make sacrifices
to pursue a lifelong goal. Read up on your favorite writer,
actor, business person, and you'll find out they weren't discovered
sitting in a drug store. These are people who suffered tremendous
set backs and enjoyed remarkable success in their pursuit
of a dream. But the important part is that they pursued their
dreams. They took active steps to achieve a specific goal.
They identified what it was they needed to do, learn, and
accomplish in order to be able to reach their goals. And they
lived their dreams.
Don't
get me wrong. I don't see anything wrong with fantasizing
about being the starting pitcher for the New York Yankees.
It's fun. It's relaxing. It's a great thing to do on a warm
summer afternoon with a cold drink in your hand. But if you
actually have any desire to win a marathon, or be featured
in an art show, then you're going to have to do something
more than lie in a hammock. You're going to have to work at
it. And the sooner you start, the sooner you'll be able to
achieve your dreams - whatever they might be.
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