Dreams and responsibilities change. Some of the things I wanted to do when I was single, I care nothing about now, or didn't want to risk my life because I had more than myself to be responsible for. (building a plane, getting a motorcycle, etc.......) Falling in love and having kids change your perspective.
No. There is nothing wrong with having a dream, but the dreaming must stop as soon as you develop a plan to make it happen. Countless people have crashed and burned hard pursuing a dream. Their only problem was they kept trying to prop up the fantasy instead of critical planning and factoring in reality and making adjustments to make it work.
I am thinking of guys with families who quit their jobs to start a business. Part of me admires them, but if you get married and have kids, I think your first obligation is to them and not to your dream. The counter argument is "I'll never be able to provide the nicer things for my kids if I don't get out of this dead end job."
I was stupid enough to follow my dreams at all costs - wasted my life savings in a worthless law school education. Sure wish I had those years and my money back.
No. Some dreams are worthy of pursuit. But sailing the seas in an armored tugboat hunting pirates is probably not one of them. Thats why I work in the sewer.
Well I wouldn't say a law degree is useless. If you can pass a bar examination, there are people who need your help right now.
Well if I don't armor my boat, what's to prevent the pirates from ramming it and making off with all the wenches? Think, man, THINK!
That was over 30 years ago. Nobody took my resume and I was forced to sweep floors for a living. Am retired now.
Instead of chasing dreams, which only serves for you to trample on other people and make bad decisions. I think you're better of being "flexible... adaptable... roll with the punches... agent of change" whatever you want to call it. Life is full of surprises... some nice and some not so nice, the more adaptable you are the more likely you are to land on your feet.
While I agree with the second part of your statement, I don't understand the first. In fact a number of comments in this thread allude to the idea that chasing dreams, and irresponsible behavior that "tramples" on other people, are one in the same. While that can be true it isn't necessarily true. Also, while it is important to remain flexible, there is something to be said for dedication to a goal. To achieve great things requires great dedication. That being said, I've noticed a funny pattern in my life. When you are constantly fighting the tide, when every step towards a goal or choice comes with difficulties that almost seem to be supernatural, as if the universe is fighting you for some reason, my experiences suggest this is a big clue that you're following the wrong path. My natural response to difficulties is to dig in and work myself nearly to death if necessary - never give up. But over the years I have found that, oddly enough and contrary to my expectations, when an easy path presents itself, or when something is meant to be, it often virtually falls into your lap. At the least you don't have to fight for every inch of progress. As for following dreams at any cost, man oh man, did I ever! I risked everything and have had the adventure of a lifetime. It came with a HUGE price, but has yielded rewards I never could have imagined ten years ago. But I only followed this path when my other life was over in every way. I had no one to worry about but me.
Starting a business isn't synonymous with doing so at any cost. If you know what you're doing and do your homework, risk can generally be managed. It depends on how realistic the dream may be.
