Over the past few years, I’ve read quite a few books and listened to a lot of videos and podcasts about success. It is inspiring–and sometimes intimidating when I think about it in the context of my own personal ambitions. At times it feels like I could never measure up to all of the great accomplishments of those I listen to and read about. And yet, yesterday the thought occurred to me that maybe I don’t want to be like everyone else.
I think it is so important for all of us to have dreams and goals. We all have the ability to create purpose for our lives and it is so much more fulfilling when we spend time working on things that contribute to the world in some way.
But I do think it can be easy to get caught up in this idea that for our work to matter, it has to be big, perhaps really big. That means a writer feeling like they won’t be successful until they hit the New York Times bestseller list. That means a business owner feeling like they won’t be successful until they have five stores rather than three. That means an entrepreneur feeling like they won’t be successful until they are making two million a year rather than the four hundred thousand a year they are currently making.
Again, I think it is awesome we can all dream and create unique goals. I also think when you hit a goal, it is wonderful to set new ones.
I do think it is also okay to have what some would qualify as small dreams. I think it is important to embrace it if your goal is to find your dream job as a mechanic, or if your goal is to stay at home and raise your children, or if your goal is to be a part-time nurse, part-time YouTuber. The list of goals and dreams are endless, but not everyone desires to become famous or I-can-buy-a-yacht level rich or own a billion dollar company.
Perhaps I am just writing about this because I have often struggled with this idea. My dreams are not over-the-top huge, but they are my dreams and I think they matter. I used to believe that if I didn’t want those big things that I wasn’t ambitious enough and therefore, wasn’t as valuable. I also figure that if I’ve struggled with those thoughts a lot, someone else out there probably has too.
So I’m saying to you (and myself) that your goals and dreams are enough. Work hard toward your goals and stay grounded to the values you hold dear and know that is a life well lived.
