Sugarcoating is good for cookies, but bad for dreams.
Recently someone sent me a link to a blog post titled, “30 books I’m glad I read before 30.”
I love posts like that! I think they’re such an interesting peek into someone’s life.
I read the list and was excited to find my book Quitter
If you’re looking for an honest account of what it’s like to make the transition from your day job to your dream job, this book (Quitter) is for you. The author doesn’t sugarcoat the journey or convince you that it’s worth making stupid decisions now that you’ll pay for later. He stays grounded in reality while inspiring you to truly connect with the things you’re passionate about, and he gives you hope and a plan for getting yourself there.
The problem with how we usually talk about chasing a dream is that we tend to focus 100% on the inspiration side of things. We get each other fired up about dreaming and going for it and thinking about the future. But we never get to the actions needed. We never get to the perspiration side of things. To the planning side of things. And so after all our talk about dreaming we’re left with questions, “OK, so now what? What do I actually do to accomplish this dream?”
Both sides of the conversation are important, because talking about dreaming without talking about our plan is like an elaborately wrapped Christmas present that is empty. On the outside, it’s amazing and beautiful and gets us so excited! But on the inside, it’s a hollow box. And despite our momentary inspiration from opening it, we’re left with nothing.
Our day didn’t change. Our lives didn’t change. Our world didn’t change.
Do you need inspiration or perspiration when you chase a dream?
Yes. But never settle for just sugarcoating your dream.