how to make dreams come true essay

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Personal Development
• Self Fulfillment

The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Dreams Happen

Last Updated: March 1, 2024 Fact Checked

Making a Plan

Staying motivated, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Nicolette Tura, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano . Nicolette Tura is an Authentic Living Expert who operated her own wellness business for more than ten years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nicolette is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with a Psychology & Mindfulness Major, a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, and is an expert in authentic living. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and got her master's degree in Sociology from SJSU. She constantly draws from her own wounds and challenges; with her training in the healing arts and sociology, she offers potent content, powerful meditations, and game-changing seminars on inspiring elevation on a personal and corporate level. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 760,380 times.

There is no greater time than now to start living your dreams. But how do you do it? Making your dreams come true doesn’t have to be a wild fantasy—you can begin achieving your dreams today! All you have to do is visualize your success and take baby steps with individual goals. We’ve broken down the process in this article, so keep reading to learn how to turn your dreams into reality today.

Making Your Dreams a Reality

• Think about what you want to achieve in detail, then picture yourself accomplishing that goal.
• Break down your dream into small, measurable steps, and take action to achieve them.
• Believe in yourself, don't be discouraged by setbacks, and give yourself time to relax and recharge.

• For example, let’s say you want to be an accomplished writer. Take some time to think about what type of writer you want to be—what do you really want? If you want to write a book, that might involve writing a chapter each day.
• Don't worry if you don’t have it all figured out; just be as specific as possible.

• Know that your plan to make your dreams come true might not look like someone else’s, and that’s okay! There’s no universal plan; do what’s right for you.
• Goals are time-sensitive, so adding a time frame helps you stay committed. [3] X Research source

• For example, if you dream of writing a novel, you may start by taking a writing workshop. This way, you can learn the foundations of writing and take baby steps toward writing a full-length novel.

• If you have achieved your goals for that time period.
• If you still have a desire to follow your dream.
• If you have deviated from the path toward fulfilling your goal.
• If you are having fun or enjoying your journey.

• Say positive things to yourself throughout the day. A quick, encouraging affirmation like, “I can do this” or “I am capable” can help lift your spirits. [9] X Research source

• Relax your mind with meditation or yoga .
• Aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. [11] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source

• Instead of letting setbacks bring you down, use them to get more hungry to achieve your goal.

• Use your best judgment when handling criticism. Remember, not everyone has your best interest in mind.

• Set clear boundaries with yourself and loved ones so you stay on track with your plan. For instance, you might give yourself a strict bedtime so you can wake up early and train for a marathon.

• For example, maybe you have a toxic friend who gets hostile when you can’t hang out with them. Perhaps it’s time to pause the friendship and give yourself some space.
• As another example, say you have a habit of watching TV before bed but want to read 100 books this year. Removing the TV from your bedroom may help you accomplish your goal faster.

• Rather than saying, “I can’t,” say, “I will.”

• Reevaluate your dream if it’s not something you desire anymore. Dreams change with you, and that’s okay! Let yourself (and your dreams) evolve. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://hbr.org/2022/04/4-ways-to-make-sure-you-achieve-your-goals-this-year
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brave-over-perfect/201708/how-get-better-achieving-your-goals
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201610/the-science-accomplishing-your-goals
• ↑ https://hbr.org/2020/01/to-achieve-big-goals-start-with-small-habits
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/science-choice/201806/10-key-elements-successful-goal-achievement
• ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/use_visualization_for_success
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-for-happiness/202201/how-to-believe-in-yourself
• ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/relaxation-technique/art-20045368
• ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/how_much_sleep.html
• ↑ https://www.herzing.edu/blog/how-handle-constructive-criticism-healthy-way
• ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/30/13-things-you-should-give-up-if-you-want-to-be-successful.html

About This Article

To make your dreams come true, start by coming up with specific, realistic goals that will help make your dreams a reality. Next, once you know what goals you need to achieve, come up with a plan on how you'll accomplish them. Try to break your plan up into several small, manageable tasks so it's easier to keep track of your progress. Then, start taking action as soon as possible, even if it's just small steps. For more tips from our Social Worker co-author, like how to stay motivated, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Ahlame El Mohaddeb

Aug 18, 2016

Did this article help you?

Annie Jerry

Jun 8, 2016

Jagrit Agrahari

Oct 10, 2020

Dec 6, 2021

P. Markington Mulbah

Apr 7, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Essay on A Dream That Came True

Students are often asked to write an essay on A Dream That Came True in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on A Dream That Came True

Introduction.

A dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal. Sometimes, these dreams come true, bringing immense joy and satisfaction.

My dream was to become the school’s football team captain, a position that requires skill, leadership, and dedication.

The Journey

I worked hard, practiced daily, and improved my skills. I also showed leadership qualities both on and off the field.

The Realization

One day, my efforts paid off. I was chosen as the football team captain. It was a moment of immense pride and happiness.

This experience taught me that dreams do come true with determination, hard work, and perseverance.

250 Words Essay on A Dream That Came True

The power of dreams.

Dreams are not just the unconscious thoughts that we experience during sleep, but they are also the aspirations, hopes, and ambitions that we hold dear. They provide us with the motivation to strive for success, and when these dreams come true, they serve as a testament to our dedication, perseverance, and hard work.

I had always dreamt of becoming a published author. The dream was not just about seeing my name on the cover of a book, but about sharing my thoughts and ideas with the world, and possibly making a difference through the power of words.

The journey to achieving this dream was not easy. It required countless hours of writing, editing, and rewriting. It required dealing with rejection and criticism, and it required the strength to keep going even when things seemed hopeless.

The Dream Realized

Finally, after years of hard work and determination, my dream came true. My first book was published, and the feeling of holding it in my hands was indescribable. It was a moment of triumph, a moment that validated all the effort I had put into making this dream a reality.

The realization of a dream is a powerful experience that can inspire us to reach for even greater heights. It is a testament to our ability to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. So, dream big, work hard, and never give up, for dreams do come true.

500 Words Essay on A Dream That Came True

The essence of dreams.

Dreams are the essence of our subconscious mind, a blend of our deepest desires and fears, often transcending the boundaries of reality. They can be a source of inspiration and motivation, driving us to strive for the seemingly impossible. However, dreams are not just figments of our imagination, they can also become our reality. This essay explores the journey of a dream that came true.

The Genesis of the Dream

The genesis of my dream dates back to my childhood, when I was captivated by the marvels of the cosmos. The twinkling stars, the radiant moon, and the vastness of the universe intrigued me. My dream was to become an astrophysicist, to delve into the mysteries of the cosmos, and unravel the secrets of the universe.

The Pursuit of the Dream

The pursuit of this dream was not an easy path. It required dedication, perseverance, and a relentless thirst for knowledge. I embarked on this journey, fueled by my passion for the cosmos and the support of my family and mentors. I pursued my undergraduate studies in Physics, where I delved into the intricacies of the universe, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies.

Challenges and Triumphs

The journey was fraught with challenges. The complexity of the subject, the rigorous academic demands, and the pressure of expectations often seemed overwhelming. However, these challenges were also the catalysts for growth. They pushed me to broaden my horizons, to question the status quo, and to develop a deeper understanding of the universe.

The Dream Comes True

After years of hard work and dedication, my dream came true. I was accepted into a prestigious research institution to pursue my Ph.D. in Astrophysics. The moment was surreal, a testament to the power of dreams and the resilience of the human spirit.

Looking back, my journey has been a testament to the power of dreams. It has taught me the value of perseverance, the importance of passion, and the transformative power of knowledge. It has shown me that dreams can indeed become a reality, that they are not just figments of our imagination, but visions of what we can achieve.

In conclusion, dreams are more than just nocturnal adventures. They are a reflection of our deepest desires, a roadmap to our potential, and a beacon guiding us towards our goals. The journey of a dream that came true is a testament to the power of dreams, reinforcing the belief that with passion, perseverance, and dedication, dreams can indeed become a reality.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Mango
• Essay on My Favourite Fruit Mango
• Essay on What Will Happen If There is no Water

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Essays About Dreams In Life: 14 Examples And Topic Ideas

Dreams in life are necessary; if you are writing essays about dreams in life, you can read these essay examples and topic ideas to get started.

Everyone has a dream – a big one or even a small one. Even the most successful people had dreams before becoming who they are today. Having a dream is like having a purpose in life; you will start working hard to reach your dream and never lose interest in life.

Without hard work, you can never turn a dream into a reality; it will only remain a desire. Level up your essay writing skills by reading our essays about dreams in life examples and prompts and start writing an inspiring essay today!

Writing About Dreams: A Guide

Essays about dreams in life: example essays, 1. chase your dreams: the best advice i ever got by michelle colon-johnson, 2. my dream, my future by deborah massey, 3. the pursuit of dreams by christine nishiyama, 4. my dreams and ambitions by kathy benson, 5. turning big dreams into reality by shyam gokarn, 6. my hopes and dreams by celia robinson, 7. always pursue your dreams – no matter what happens by steve bloom, 8. why do we dream by james roland, 9. bad dreams by eli goldstone, 10. why your brain needs to dream by matthew walker, 11. dreams by hedy marks, 12. do dreams really mean anything by david b. feldman, 13. how to control your dreams by serena alagappan, 14. the sunday essay: my dreams on antidepressants by ashleigh young, essays about dreams in life essay topics, 1. what is a dream, 2. what are your dreams in life, 3. why are dreams important in life, 4. what are the reasons for a person to dream big, 5. what do you think about dreams in life vs. short-term sacrifice, 6. what is the purpose of dreaming, 7. why are dreams so strange and vivid, 8. why do dreams feel so real, 9. why are dreams so hard to remember, 10. do dreams mean anything, what is a dream short essay, how can i write my dream in life.

Writing about dreams is an excellent topic for essays, brainstorming new topic ideas for fiction stories, or just as a creative outlet. We all have dreams, whether in our sleep, during the day, or even while walking on a sunny day. Some of the best ways to begin writing about a topic are by reading examples and using a helpful prompt to get started. Check out our guide to writing about dreams and begin mastering the art of writing today!

“Everyone has the ability to dream, but not everyone has the willingness to truly chase their dreams. When people aren’t living their dreams they often have limited belief systems. They believe that their current circumstances and/or surroundings are keeping them from achieving the things they want to do in life.”

In her essay, author Michelle Colon-Johnson encourages her readers to develop a mindset that will let them chase their dreams. So, you have to visualize your dream, manifest it, and start your journey towards it! Check out these essays about dreams and sleep .

“At the time when I have my job and something to make them feel so proud of me, I would like to give them the best life. I would like to make them feel comfortable and see sweet smiles on their faces. This is really the one I like to achieve in my life; mountains of words can’t explain how much I love and appreciate them.”

Author Deborah Massey’s essay talks about her dreams and everything she wanted to achieve and accomplish in her life. She also tells us that we must live our values, pursue our dreams, and follow our passions for the best future.

“Fast-forward 5+ years, and my first published book is coming out this May with Scholastic. And now, let me tell you the truth: I don’t feel any different. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity, proud of the work I’ve done, and excited for the book’s release. But on a fundamental level, I feel the same.”

In her essay, author Christine Nishiyama shares what she felt when she first achieved one of her goals in life. She says that with this mindset, you will never feel the satisfaction of achieving your goal or the fulfillment of reaching your dream. Instead, she believes that what fulfills people is the pursuit of their dreams in life.

“My dream is to become a good plastic surgeon and day after day it has transformed into an ambition which I want to move towards. I do not want to be famous, but just good enough to have my own clinic and work for a very successful hospital. Many people think that becoming a doctor is difficult, and I know that takes many years of preparation, but anyone can achieve it if they have determination.”

Author Kathy Benson’s essay narrates her life – all the things and struggles she has been through in pursuing her dreams in life. Yet, no matter how hard the situation gets, she always convinces herself not to give up, hoping her dreams will come true one day. She believes that with determination and commitment, anyone can achieve their dreams and goals in life. 

“I have always been a big dreamer and involved in acting upon it. Though, many times I failed, I continued to dream big and act. As long as I recollect, I always had such wild visions and fantasies of thinking, planning, and acting to achieve great things in life. But, as anyone can observe, there are many people, who think and work in that aspect.”

In his essay, author Shyam Gokarn explains why having a big dream is very important in a person’s life. However, he believes that the problem with some people is that they never hold tight to their dreams, even if they can turn them into reality. As a result, they tend to easily give up on their dreams and even stop trying instead of persevering through the pain and anguish of another failure.

“When I was younger, I’ve always had a fairytale-like dream about my future. To marry my prince, have a Fairy Godmother, be a princess… But now, all of that has changed. I’ve realized how hard life is now; that life cannot be like a fairy tale. What you want can’t happen just like that.”

Celia Robinson’s essay talks about her dream since she was a child. Unfortunately, as we grow old, there’s no “Fairy Godmother” that would help us when things get tough. Everyone wants to succeed in the future, but we have to work hard to achieve our dreams and goals.

“Take writing for example. I’ve wanted to be a professional writer since I was a little boy, but I was too scared that I wouldn’t be any good at it. But several years ago I started pursuing this dream despite knowing how difficult it might be. I fully realize I may not make it, but I’m completely fine with that. At least I tried which is more than most people can say.”

In his essay, author Steve Bloom encourages his readers always to pursue their dreams no matter what happens. He asks, “Would you rather pursue them and fail or never try?”. He believes that it’s always better to try and fail than look back and wonder what might have been. Stop thinking that failure or success is the only end goal for pursuing your dreams. Instead, think of it as a long journey where all the experiences you get along the way are just as important as reaching the end goal.

“Dreams are hallucinations that occur during certain stages of sleep. They’re strongest during REM sleep, or the rapid eye movement stage, when you may be less likely to recall your dream. Much is known about the role of sleep in regulating our metabolism, blood pressure, brain function, and other aspects of health. But it’s been harder for researchers to explain the role of dreams. When you’re awake, your thoughts have a certain logic to them. When you sleep, your brain is still active, but your thoughts or dreams often make little or no sense.”

Author James Roland’s essay explains the purpose of having dreams and the factors that can influence our dreams. He also mentioned some of the reasons that cause nightmares. Debra Sullivan, a nurse educator, medically reviews his essay. Sullivan’s expertise includes cardiology, psoriasis/dermatology, pediatrics, and alternative medicine. For more, you can also see these articles about sleep .

“The first time I experienced sleep paralysis and recognised it for what it was I was a student. I had been taking MDMA and listening to Django Reinhardt. My memories of that time are mainly of taking drugs and listening to Django Reinhardt. When I woke up I was in my paralysed body. I was there, inside it. I was inside my leaden wrists, my ribcage, the thick dead roots of my hair, the bandages of skin. This time the hallucinations were auditory. I could hear someone being beaten outside my door. They were screaming for help. And I could do nothing but lie there, locked inside my body . . . whatever bit of me is not my body. That is the bit that exists, by itself, at night.”

In her essay, Author Eli Goldstone talks about her suffering from bad dreams ever since childhood. She also talks about what she feels every time she has sleep paralysis – a feeling of being conscious but unable to move.

“We often hear stories of people who’ve learned from their dreams or been inspired by them. Think of Paul McCartney’s story of how his hit song “Yesterday” came to him in a dream or of Mendeleev’s dream-inspired construction of the periodic table of elements. But, while many of us may feel that our dreams have special meaning or a useful purpose, science has been more skeptical of that claim. Instead of being harbingers of creativity or some kind of message from our unconscious, some scientists have considered dreaming to being an unintended consequence of sleep—a byproduct of evolution without benefit.”

Author Matthew Walker, a professor of psychology and neuroscience, shares some interesting facts about dreams in his essay. According to research, dreaming is more than just a byproduct of sleep; it also serves essential functions in our well-being. 

“Dreams are basically stories and images that our mind creates while we sleep. They can be vivid. They can make you feel happy, sad, or scared. And they may seem confusing or perfectly rational. Dreams can happen at any time during sleep. But you have your most vivid dreams during a phase called REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when your brain is most active. Some experts say we dream at least four to six times a night.”

In his essay, Author Hedy Marks discusses everything we need to know about dreams in detail – from defining a dream to tips that may help us remember our dreams. Hedy Marks is an Assistant Managing Editor at WebMD , and Carol DerSarkissian, a board-certified emergency physician, medically reviews his essay.

“Regardless of whether dreams foretell the future, allow us to commune with the divine, or simply provide a better understanding of ourselves, the process of analyzing them has always been highly symbolic. To understand the meaning of dreams, we must interpret them as if they were written in a secret code. A quick search of an online dream dictionary will tell you that haunted houses symbolize “unfinished emotional business,” dimly lit lamps mean you’re “feeling overwhelmed by emotional issues,” a feast indicates “a lack of balance in your life,” and garages symbolize a feeling of “lacking direction or guidance in achieving your goals.” 

Author David B. Feldman, an author, speaker, and professor of counseling psychology, believes that dreams may not mean anything, but they tell us something about our emotions. In other words, if you’ve been suffering from a series of bad dreams, it could be worth checking in with yourself to see how you’ve been feeling and perhaps consider whether there’s anything you can do to improve your mood.

“Ever wish you could ice skate across a winter sky, catching crumbs of gingerbread, like flakes of snow, on your tongue? How about conquering a monster in a nightmare, bouncing between mountain peaks, walking through walls, or reading minds? Have you ever longed to hold the hand of someone you loved and lost? If you want to fulfill your fantasies, or even face your fears, you might want to try taking some control of your dreams (try being the operative). People practiced in lucid dreaming—the phenomenon of being aware that you are dreaming while you are asleep—claim that the experience allows adventure, self-discovery, and euphoric joy.”

In her essay, Author Serena Alagappan talks about lucid dreams – a type of dream where a person becomes conscious during a dream. She also talked about ways to control our dreams, such as keeping a journal, reciting mantras before bed, and believing we can. However, not everyone will be able to control their dreams because the levels of lucidity and control differ significantly between individuals.

“There was a period of six months when I tried to go off my medication – a slowly unfolding disaster – and I’d thought my dreams might settle down. Instead, they grew more deranged. Even now I think of the dream in which I was using a cigarette lighter to melt my own father, who had assumed the form of a large candle. I’ve since learned that, apart from more research being needed, this was probably a case of “REM rebound”. When you stop taking the medication, you’ll likely get a lot more REM sleep than you were getting before. In simple terms, your brain goes on a dreaming frenzy, amping up the detail.”

Author Ashleigh Young’s essay informs us how some medications, such as antidepressants, affect our dreams based on her own life experience. She said, “I’ve tried not to dwell too much on my dreams. Yes, they are vivid and sometimes truly gruesome, full of chaotic, unfathomable violence, but weird nights seemed a reasonable price to pay for the bearable days that SSRIs have helped me to have.” 

In simple terms, a dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal; is it the same as your goal in life? In your essay, explore this topic and state your opinion about what the word “dream” means to you.

This is an excellent topic for your statement or “about me” essay. Where do you see yourself in the next ten years? Do you have a career plan? If you still haven’t thought about it, maybe it’s time to start thinking about your future.

Having dreams is very important in a person’s life; it motivates, inspires, and helps you achieve any goal that you have in mind. Without dreams, we would feel lost – having no purpose in life. Therefore, in your essay, you should be able to explain to your readers how important it is to have a dream or ambition in life. 

Dreaming big sounds great; however, it’s easier said than done. First, you’ve got to have reasons to dream big, which will motivate you to achieve your goals in life. If you’re writing an essay about dreams in life, mention why most people dare to dream big and achieve more in life. Is it about freedom, money, praise from other people, satisfaction, or something else entirely?

For example, you could watch movies, play video games, relax every night, or give up all of them to learn a complex skill – what would you choose, and why? In your essay about dreams in life, answer the question and include other examples about this topic so your readers can relate.

There are many answers to this question – one is that dreams may have an evolutionary function, testing us in scenarios crucial to our survival. Dreams may also reduce the severity of emotional trauma. On the other hand, some researchers say dreams have no purpose or meaning, while some say we need dreams for physical and mental health. Take a closer look at this topic, and include what you find in your essay.

Weird dreams could result from anxiety, stress, or sleep deprivation. So, manage your stress levels, and stick to a sleep routine to stop having weird dreams. If you wake up from a weird dream, you can fall back asleep using deep breaths or any relaxing activity. You can research other causes of weird dreams and ways to stop yourself from having them for your essay about dreams and sleep.

The same areas of the brain that are active when we learn and process information in the actual world are active when we dream, and they replay the information as we sleep. Many things we see, hear, and feel in our everyday lives appear in our dreams. If you want to write an informative essay about dreams and sleep, look into more details about this topic.

Tip: When editing for grammar, we also recommend taking the time to improve the readability score of a piece of writing before publishing or submitting it.

People may not remember what happened in their dreams. Studies show that people tend to forget their dreams due to the changing levels of acetylcholine and norepinephrine during sleep. This will be quite an exciting topic for your readers because many people can relate. That being said, research more information about this topic, and discuss it in detail in your essay. 

Although some people believe that dreams don’t mean anything, many psychologists and other experts have theorized about the deeper meaning of dreams. Therefore, your essay about dreams and sleep should delve deeper into this topic. If you’re stuck picking your next essay topic, check out our round-up of essay topics about education .

FAQS on Essays About Dreams in Life

There are many great short essays about dreams; you can write your own too! Some great examples include Do Dreams Really Mean Anything? by David B. Feldman and  Dreams by Hedy Marks.

Writing about your dreams in life is a fantastic creative outlet and can even help you plan your future. Use a prompt to get started, like “What are your dreams in life?” or “What do you aspire to be in ten years?” and begin writing without thinking too much about it. See where the pen takes you and start mapping out your future with this writing exercise.

Meet Rachael, the editor at Become a Writer Today. With years of experience in the field, she is passionate about language and dedicated to producing high-quality content that engages and informs readers. When she's not editing or writing, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, finding inspiration for her next project.

View all posts

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Helpful Free Resources
• Happiness & Fun
• Healthy Habits
• Love & Relationships
• Mental Health
• Mindfulness & Peace
• Purpose & Passion
• Fun & Inspiring
• Submit a Post
• Books & Things
• Tiny Buddha’s Breaking Barriers to Self-Care

“Don’t be pushed by your problems; be led by your dreams.” ~Unknown

A little over forty-eight hours from now, I’ll be on a plane to Europe where I plan to spend three months traveling (and working) with my boyfriend.

Saturday is the first day of a dream I’ve held for well over a decade.

It was my second year in college when I did my semester abroad, staying in a castle my school owns in The Netherlands.

I was one of less than seventy students there, part of an intimate group that traveled together on three weekend trips to Paris, Amsterdam, and Koln.

Aside from those group excursions, we all had three-day weekends and two full weeks off to travel.

I visited Italy and Spain during my weeks off, but spent most weekends on site, largely due to financial constraints. Still, a weekend doing nothing at a castle in Europe is, in itself, an adventure.

After returning home, I spent the next year working 40+ hour weeks as a hostess at an upscale Boston restaurant (while also studying full-time) to pay off my charged travel expenses.

My schedule was tight and my job, not all that exciting, but the experience felt worth every uncomfortable moment in that itchy polyester blazer.

I had started seeing the world. I had gotten a chance to experience dorm life—something I didn’t know much about, being a commuter—and I did it in a castle with a moat, a tower, and historical significance.

It wasn’t the most emotionally stable time in my life, so I brought a healthy dose of drama overseas, but now, fourteen years later, what I remember most are the excitement of possibility and the pride I felt in working to provide that for myself.

And it’s those same two things that most energize me now. I’ve dreamed of this. I’ve planned for it. I’ve worked for it. And now it’s happening.

If you have a dream, something that excites you, inspires you, and maybe even keeps you up at night, I have some advice for you:

1. Believe that it’s possible.

So often we think of dreams as things most people don’t get to do—luxuries reserved for people who are privileged, wealthy, or well connected.

It’s true that some people have more advantages than others. What takes one person five years of planning and saving may require another to do little more than sell a stock and make a call.

It’s also true that the second person may have worked incredibly hard for said stock. The point is: We’re all starting from different places, for different reasons, with different levels of work required to get from A to B.

If your dream is something you’re physically incapable of doing, it may be improbable (but not impossible—we’ve come a long way with technology!) And there’s no denying that certain dreams are more difficult to achieve than others.

But most of the things we dream about are things we could do if we were willing to work toward it, align our choices to support it, and stay flexible in terms of fulfilling it.

You don’t need to believe it will be easy, or it will happen quickly, or it will look exactly like you visualized it. You just need to believe in the possibility, which really means you need to believe in yourself.

2. Take tiny steps to work toward it.

Working toward it entails aligning with the right people, disregarding discouragement from people who don’t support your growth, and taking tiny steps each day to move toward your vision.

“The right people” are those who help you, support you, encourage you, believe in you, and guide you on your way to this dream. It may include people who’ve done what you want to do, people who also want to do it, and even people who just plain find it cool.

Share your enthusiasm and progress with them. They’ll keep you excited and help you stick to your plan.

As for those people who don’t support your growth , there will be many of them, and they most likely won’t be malicious. They’ll be well-meaning people who aren’t able to do step one for themselves, and, therefore, think they’re doing you a favor by discouraging you. Politely decline that favor.

Their words may seem to keep you down, but it’s how you internalize them that holds you back.

And as for taking consistent steps, they really can be tiny. It may not seem like much to make a call, bookmark a site, or send an email, but the little things add up over time—and because they’re easily doable, each one may inspire you to do more.

3. Make choices that support it.

Much of our experience stems from our choices. Not all of it; there are some things that we can’t control.

This isn’t a suggestion that if we make all the “right” choices, everything will line up and magically work out. It’s just that we have more power than we often realize—and our power lies in our choices.

Whatever your dream, the first choice is to prioritize it. As you’re able, dedicate time to it, money to it, attention to it, love to it. Give what you can, as you can, and back that giving with belief, passion, and enthusiasm.

The other side of this coin is realizing which choices don’t support your dream—when you’re doing too much or pursuing other dreams that conflict, for example.

For me, that’s meant pushing off some other equally exciting milestones with my boyfriend, like buying a house.

4. Stay flexible about how you’ll fulfill it.

It’s tempting to be rigid about a dream—when it needs to happen, how it needs to happen, and who it needs to include. But sometimes when we’re too busy clinging to a specific vision, we miss an opportunity to experience it in different shades.

This isn’t meant to discourage you from reaching for the stars. It’s just a reminder that there are a lot more of them than you may realize, some far closer than others.

Being a singer may include a jazz club, not a fan-packed stadium. Writing a book may entail self-publishing, not a six-figure advance. And traveling may include teaching abroad or a string of budget bed-and-breakfasts—I know because this time around, I’ve booked several!

They may not be the ultimate dream, but they are, in fact, reflections of it.

And in that moment when you’re doing something inspired, passionate, and in line with your deepest intentions, you’ll feel two things that you may not have realized weren’t exclusive to one specific vision:

You’ll feel alive . And proud.

And now, two final thoughts on making dreams come true: know that no dream is better than any other, and stay open to the possibility that your dream may change.

Regarding the first part, your dream may not seem big or romantic. It doesn’t need to be. It’s an extension of your unique values and priorities, and all that matters is that it matters to you.

As for the second part, sometimes we attach to dreams simply because we’ve held them for so long. It’s the sunk-cost principle: After you’ve invested a lot of time, energy, or money, it’s hard to consider walking away.

But if your priorities have changed, you may no longer want it . Accepting this isn’t a sign of weakness or defeat. It’s growth, and the wisdom to enable it.

Of course, there’s also the possibility that your dream may have changed in a smaller way.

This weekend when I leave for Rome, my parents, my siblings, and my boyfriend’s parents will also be en route for a short family trip.

My dream wasn’t just to go back. It was to go with the people I love. And after much conceptualizing, convincing, and coordinating, it’s now coming true.

What’s your dream, do you believe you can fulfill it, and what tiny step can you take today to start (or continue) working toward it?

*Update: That’s a picture of me at the Colosseum. I would have shared a picture of me with my family, but they’re all very private people!

About Lori Deschene

Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people honor their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here .

Did you enjoy this post? Please share the wisdom :)

Related posts:

Free Download: Buddha Desktop Wallpaper

Recent Forum Topics

• self anger and regret
• Feeling low and can’t control my mind
• Heartbreak sucks
• Family tragedy Donation-Charlotte Arp
• Anxiety and Obsession Struggles
• Surrender, Accessing Shakti by clearing samskaras, eliminating false selves
• Body Positivity & Gratitude
• The wounds are fresh and raw.
• Loneliness and Limberance
• Can’t just live with myself

Fun & Inspiring

The Best Person You Can Be

GET MORE FUN & INSPIRING IMAGES & VIDEOS .

Latest Posts

5 Hidden Fears That May Be Secretly Sabotaging Your Life

Embracing Aging: I Want to Be Shiny from the Inside

The Tremendous Pain and Beauty of Letting Things Die

6 Reasons We Ignore Our Needs and How to Stop

How My Wellness Passion Was Actually Destroying My Health

This site is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Tiny Buddha is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a condition.

Tiny Buddha, LLC may earn affiliate income from qualifying purchases, including from the Amazon Associate Program.

Before using the site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Click to opt-out of Google Analytics tracking.

Who Runs Tiny Buddha?

Get More Tiny Buddha

•   Twitter
•   Facebook
•   Instagram
•   Youtube
•   RSS Feed

Credits & Copyright

• Back to Top

Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

Workplace Articles & More

Can positive thinking really make dreams come true, a new book says we can't ask more of our fantasies than they can give us..

I confess I’ve never read the bestselling book, The Secret . But its basic premise—repeated ad nauseam in cheesy self-help books—goes something like this: Visualize what you want in life and really believe it will happen, and you will attract it to you. Whether it’s wealth, health, or better relationships you want, the “power of positive thinking” is all that it takes to make it manifest.

But nothing could be further from the truth, according to Gabriel Oettingen, a motivation researcher at New York University and author of the new book, Rethinking Positive Thinking . Not only does Oettingen debunk the myth that positive thinking influences success, she makes the opposite case: that daydreaming about positive outcomes—based on nothing more than wishful thinking—can actually damage your chances of getting what you want in life. And she says she has the science to prove it.

Oettingen distinguishes between optimism—positive expectations about the future based on past experiences—and positive thinking, which is based on little more than imagination or wishful dreaming. While the former has been correlated with better health and wellbeing, the latter has not. In fact, unless positive imagining is accompanied by considering the potential pitfalls to getting what you want, it’s worse than worthless in helping you to reach your goals.

A combination of dreaming and anticipating failure—which Oettingen calls “mental contrasting”—is important for motivation, setting in motion unconscious cognitive processes that are important in goal attainment. Mental contrasting, she argues, is particularly useful when pursuing a realistic goal, such as losing weight or improving a once thriving relationship, but is less likely to work if your goal is unrealistic, such as starting a business from scratch without any prior experience.

Oettingen’s book is chock full of science experiments showing positive thinking alone prevents goal attainment—perhaps because daydreaming can decrease the energy needed to take and sustain positive action.

In one experiment, she and her colleagues asked college students to either write down positive fantasies about the upcoming week unfolding exactly as they’d like it to, or to just write their thoughts and fantasies about the upcoming week. Immediately after the exercise, the participants reported lower energy levels if they positively fantasized only than if they had a mixed view of the week. In addition, a week later the participants were questioned about how much they had accomplished during the week; the less energized participants had felt, the less they’d accomplished.

“These results correspond well with many people’s daily experiences, “ she writes. “In the face of a big challenge or chore, people often fantasize about how it feels to have achieved it. In the moment, the fantasy feels good, and it also feels relaxing—so much so that we don’t take action.”

It’s also important for goals to be realistic. In another study, Oettingen and her colleagues asked male computer science students to rate how likely it would be for them to get better at math, and to list four potential positive outcomes and four potential negative obstacles to achieving this goal. Dividing the students into three groups, the researchers asked students to either indulge in fantasies based on their positive outcomes, dwell on their negative obstacles, or engage in mental contrasting. Results showed that those students who thought they could improve in math and who used mental contrasting tried harder and achieved more according to independent teacher reports than those who indulged in positive fantasies or dwelled on negative obstacles.

Though Oettingen’s research is compelling, the sheer number of studies she reports on may leave readers immune to her findings at some point. But for those interested in applications of the research, you can skip ahead to where Oettingen takes her work into more practical realms. Combining her ideas with those of her husband and fellow researcher, Peter Gollwitzer, she writes of a motivation exercise called WOOP, which marries mental contrasting skills with action plans for goal attainment, and gives tips on how to use it.

Under the WOOP model, you work on goal attainment by:

• Wishing for something you’d like to achieve;
• Imagining a good Outcome ;
• Examining the Obstacles that might get in your way; and
• Coming up with a Plan for overcoming those obstacles.

Oettingen and her colleagues have developed a WOOP mobile phone app that has been used with kids in low-income neighborhoods to help encourage them to aspire to college, as well as an app that adults can use in their personal and professional lives. Research results have shown that employing WOOP is more successful than positive thinking alone in helping people to fulfill their desired goals.

But is positive thinking completely useless? Certainly not, writes Oettingen. Letting yourself daydream about an unlikely future can be helpful, particularly when you are in a situation that is inescapable or when you need to wait out a decision over which you have no control—to help you cope with anxiety and depression. It can also be escapist fun for everyone, and can be a pathway to exploring your deepest desires—especially when they are not obvious to you.

“The key is simply not to ask more of our fantasies than they can give us,” writes Oettingen. “We would be wrong to jettison our dreams, just as we are wrong to blindly assume that simply dreaming something can make it so.”

Though the research she presents is extensive, there are few experiments mentioned that are conducted by someone other than Oettingen herself, suggesting potential bias in the results. Certainly, her claims for WOOP would be much more convincing if more independent researchers had studied it.

Still, it’s refreshing to find a researcher taking to task bogus claims about “the secret.” Some may think it’s bad news that there is no simple pill or mindset that will make your life all work out. But the good news is that, with a little mental contrasting, planning, and determination, some of your (realistic) dreams may yet come true.

About the Author

Jill Suttie

Jill Suttie, Psy.D. , is Greater Good ’s former book review editor and now serves as a staff writer and contributing editor for the magazine. She received her doctorate of psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1998 and was a psychologist in private practice before coming to Greater Good .

You May Also Enjoy

This article — and everything on this site — is funded by readers like you.

Become a subscribing member today. Help us continue to bring “the science of a meaningful life” to you and to millions around the globe.

1-800-488-6040

• My Career or Business
• My Health & Vitality
• My Mental Health
• My Finances & Building Wealth
• My Relationship
• My Leadership Skills
• My Productivity
• Growth Solutions
• About Tony Robbins
• The Science of Tony Robbins
• Contribution
• Company Culture
• Get Involved
• Success Stories
• Case Studies
• Events Calendar
• The Unshakeable Business

Unleash the Power Within

• Business Mastery

Date With Destiny

• Life Mastery Virtual
• Wealth Mastery Virtual
• Life & Wealth Mastery Fiji
• Leadership Academy
• Inner Circle Community
• Pinnacle Enterprise
• Platinum Partnership
• Unleash Her Power Within
• Business Coaching
• Results Coaching
• Business Results Training
• Life Coaching
• Health Coaching
• Meet Tony’s Coaches
• All Products
• Nutraceuticals
• Life Force Book
• Tony Robbins Books
• Training Systems
• Breakthrough App
• Netflix Documentary
• Free Tools & Quizzes

Turn your dreams into reality with Tony at Unleash the Power Within

< Back to all stories

How to make your dreams a reality

Posted by: Team Tony

You want to make your dreams a reality , but you don’t know where to start.

You’re not alone. So many people feel just like you – confronted by that aching question, “How can I make my dreams a reality ?,” but feeling that your life is too complicated for you to make that step. The answer is more straightforward than you might think: The path to success – and to creating the life you desire and deserve – stems from taking massive, determined action.

Many others have longed to figure out how to make dreams a reality , too, and they turned to Tony Robbins’ Unleash the Power Within (UPW).

“[Tony] really makes you conquer your fears and realize everyone can be great.”

Hindered by the past

Brothers Chad and Jordan Higley attended Unleash the Power Within looking to take their lives to the next level. A residential home inspector, Chad originally trained to be a rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard. After dislocating his shoulder and being kicked out of the program, Chad developed an unconscious fear of failure that continued to hold him back from the life he desired – and left him wondering, “How can I make my dreams a reality ?”

His brother Jordan first met Tony Robbins after interviewing him at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and knew he had to attend a live event. Jordan had found success as a meteorologist and lifestyle host, but every time he strove for more, he recalled a professor expressing doubt in his ability to make it very far. His desire to prove that professor wrong helped get him a certain distance in his career, but the doubting voice ingrained itself in his psyche, and all too often he listened to it.

Overcoming limiting beliefs

The beliefs we hold about ourselves are what end up framing our actions. Logically, Chad realized that his shoulder injury was not his fault, but he still sustained the injury and began to view it as his own personal failure. While Chad landed in a successful career despite this fear, he always found himself afraid to take the first step and start his own company. At UPW, Tony Robbins helped Chad realize that his own limiting beliefs were holding him back and by changing how he thought of himself and his capabilities, he came that much closer to making his dreams a reality. Chad plans to finally take the leap into business ownership and open a residential wholesale company.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s time at UPW made him realize his limiting belief – that he “wasn’t good enough to go further” – was the only thing holding him back from the success he desired. His story is probably similar to those of millions of people around the world. Self-doubt is a common problem that prevents you from learning to make your dreams a reality . You’ll think, “I’m going to focus on making my dreams come true,” but then provide yourself with a laundry list of reasons why you can’t do that, ranging from “People will laugh at me” to “I’ll never make my dreams a reality ” and everything in between. That’s exactly how Jordan felt – and he’s now dedicated to using that limiting belief to push him even further in his career. Striving for financial freedom, Jordan was inspired to finally invest more time in his side projects , allowing him to find more balance and fulfillment.

Watch the video below to hear more about Chad and Jordan’s story.

“I want to reach more people and my level of success is measured by their level of success.”

Staci Holweger was committed to working toward the best version of herself. Though she was a top ambassador at a health and wellness company, Staci still hadn’t achieved the level of success and financial freedom she dreamt of, and like Chad Higley, she was limited by her fear of failure.

After attending Unleash the Power Within for the first time, Staci started making progress toward her goals. She got rid of phrases like “It would be easy to make my dreams a reality if…” and began to take total responsibility for her choices every day. She was pleased, but her own success gave her an exciting idea: Her entire team would transform if they attended together.

Together with a team of 40+ employees, Staci discovered new ways to apply Tony’s strategies to her career and her personal life. She recognized her own limitations and wanted to push through them, and realized she could do so by shifting her own focus just a little bit. She realized how much she cared about growth and contribution, and this small move opened her up to massive change and new opportunities . It gave her a better understanding of how to identify people’s needs, which in turn makes her more capable of serving her clients and putting them on the path to reach their goals. Like Staci and her clients, you might not need to make gigantic shifts – even small changes could make your dreams a reality .

Staci plans to take her daughter to the next UPW and has enrolled in Mastery University with her husband. She’s also committed herself to getting more involved in her community and working more with networking groups.

Watch the video below to hear more about Staci’s experience at UPW , then read on for more tips about how to make your dreams a reality .

At UPW, you’ll begin to unload all of the baggage that’s holding you back from achieving your dreams. Then you’ll create a plan to move forward.

 1. Move past your fear of failure

If you want to make your dreams a reality , it’s critical that you move past the fear of failure . This particular fear can stop you from even thinking about taking the first steps toward the life you want. Failure is a lesson; if you fail, you can at least learn from it and not repeat whatever mistake you made. But if you fear it too much to even begin to change your life or look toward something more, you’ll very likely end up treading water in one place.  

 2. Examine your other limiting beliefs

Fear of failure is one of the most common limiting beliefs, but it isn’t the only one. Would you be surprised to learn you can also have a fear of success? Other common beliefs are that we’re not deserving of love and success, that we’ve “always been” a certain way or that we are inherently “not good at” something. All of these beliefs are false, and you must identify and replace them to make your dreams a reality .

 3. Reveal your needs

Every human on earth is driven by one of the Six Human Needs . If your top need is connection or significance, you may feel like you’re following someone else’s dreams in order to fit in or earn love. If you need certainty, you may need to break away from your comfort zone to make your dreams a reality . Discovering your top needs can change your entire perspective on life.

 4. Take action

Dreaming is vital to revealing our authentic selves and inspiring us to work hard for what we want. Techniques like visualization can transform our mindset and help us create empowering beliefs. Yet the real rewards only come when we take decisive action. As Tony says, “The path to success is to take massive determined action.” Set goals and make a plan to get there. Hold yourself accountable every day. And never, ever give up.

As Tony says, “We can change our lives. We can do, have and be exactly what we wish.” Ready to make your dreams come true? Find out how to Unleash the Power Within .

Related Stories

How to find your purpose, is your story holding you back, ready to conquer work burnout try this proven strategy, discover how to take your life to the next level today..

By entering your information on the Tony Robbins website, you agree that we may collect and use your personal information for marketing, and for other purposes, as set forth in our Privacy Policy, which we encourage you to review.

© 2024 Robbins Research International, Inc. All rights reserved.

We need to keep dreaming, even when it feels impossible. Here’s why

Share this idea.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

We live in a world that often feels like the headquarters of Mayhem Enterprises, breaking our hearts into pieces every single day with chaos and madness.

It is too willing to disappoint us with tragedies, horrific news and bad hair hats. And we have to live in constant suspense, not knowing when these things will happen to us. Pandora’s box is forever opening.

So I get why we fear dreaming. It’s hard for us to get our hopes up that things will go the way we want them to. Yet and still, we need to put this worry as far away from our psyches as possible. You might call it madness, but I call it necessary.

When we are afraid of having too much hope, we’re actually afraid of being disappointed. We are anxious about expecting the world to gift us and show us grace, because what if we end up on our asses?

So we dream small or not at all. Because if we expect nothing or expect something small, we cannot be disappointed when the big things don’t happen. We think it’s a great defense mechanism, but what it really is is a liability on our lives, because we are constantly bracing for impact.

Many of us have lost our ability to dream, or we were never allowed to have it in the first place.

When we are afraid of thinking things can be too good, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

This shows up in real life when we don’t go after jobs we want because we already expect the answer to be no. We might not apply to the school we wanna go to because we think we have no chance in hell of being admitted.

But what if we would have met a life helper or the loves of our lives there, or landed that perfect internship that would have led to the job of our dreams? Basically, we end up living the colorless versions of the lives we truly want, which then confirms that life is shitty.

Here’s the thing. Life can absolutely be a filth bucket, even for people who TRY and STRIVE and DREAM. The difference is that those people can go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning knowing that they at least tried. They can take some small solace that they did what they could. Life’s shenanigans can be off-the-chart levels for them. But they blame life, not themselves.

Many of us have lost our ability to dream, or we were never allowed to have it in the first place, since we live in a world that makes it really hard if you’re not white, male, straight, Christian, able-bodied and cisgender. We’ve been bound by oppressive systems that are designed to not give us an inch, even when we earn a mile. We have been shunned and disrespected and erased from the things we are entitled to.

I’m asking us to trick ourselves into thinking we have the privilege of dreaming big.

I say with this caveat and without naivete: Dreaming big is in itself a privilege. However, I’m asking us to trick ourselves into thinking we have the privilege of dreaming big.

When I was in college, my friends peer-pressured me into starting a “weblog.” And by “peer-pressured” I’m pretty sure I only needed one suggestion and I was into it. I started it in early 2003; it was titled something emo like “Consider This the Letter I Never Wrote.” In it, I documented my whole college career, writing about exams I wasn’t studying for, the D I got, roommate problems. The blog used Comic Sans font, so you know it was a mess. But I loved this new hobby. I did a few marketing internships and realized I was good at that too.

When I graduated in 2006, I deleted that undergrad blog and started what is now AwesomelyLuvvie.com . New life, new blog!

I’d work my 9-to-5 job in marketing, but when I came home, I’d blog. As I wrote about the world and how I saw it, word of my blog spread, and in 2009, I won my first award: Best Humor Blog in the now defunct Black Weblog Awards. I was geeked because here I was getting recognition for my hobby.

Hobby. Yeah, okay.

I liked my job as a marketing coordinator. I was fine. Except I wasn’t.

Get this. I was afraid to call myself a writer . WRITER? WHERE? I was afraid of that title and all the dreams that could come from it that I would be unable to fulfill. Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou and Zora Neale Hurston. Those were writers. I was just a girl who put up blog posts talking about whatever was on my spirit. Writer? “Bish, bye. You can’t measure up to that title.” That’s what I told myself.

I liked my job as a marketing coordinator for a nonprofit. I was making enough to pay my bills, which weren’t many. I was fine.

Except I wasn’t. I was bored with the job, and I felt restless. But I wasn’t going to quit. Nah, son. We don’t do that. We will just swallow down the discomfort and keep clocking in every day.

In April 2010, I was suddenly laid off. That layoff/firing was God and the universe pushing me to take a leap of faith to stand in this writer dream I was too scared to have. But I’m a stubborn goat, so I didn’t see it as that. Instead, I was on Monster.com sending résumés left and right because I needed my biweekly paychecks and insurance! This shoe habit was not going to keep itself up, after all.

Throughout this period, there were times I’d wonder if I needed to stop putting so much time into my blog, but I couldn’t quit. Something wouldn’t let me.

After a year and some change of looking for a traditional job (and still blogging), I finally got hired for a full-time position as social media manager for a global food brand. I went into the office on that first day, decked out in my “I’m serious” business-casual slacks and a button-down. My first task was to create a deck for a campaign, and I was in there knocking it out!

Then came 1PM and the walls of that building started closing in on me. Isweartogawd I wanted to slide off my nice ergonomic chair unto the floor and lie there. My spirit was not gelling with this new job. That night, I wrote an email to my new boss. I thanked them for the job and notified them that it was my first day AND my last. Bless it, but I couldn’t do it.

A few months later in February 2012, I was credentialed to do press coverage on the red carpet and backstage of the Academy Awards. I was chosen because a producer who loved my blog thought I should be there. There I was, in my role as Awesomely Luvvie, backstage at the Oscars, eating Wolfgang Puck’s shrimp and chocolates, next to journalists from the BBC, CNN, Entertainment Tonight! Me. WOW.

We must give ourselves permission to be who we want to be, even if we don’t have the blueprint yet.

That experience shifted my world: I was in that room and breathing that air because of my gift, because of my words. How was I NOT a writer ? I might not be Toni or Maya but I was Luvvie, and the fear of the writer title had kept me from truly honoring my purpose .

I was afraid because I couldn’t find an example of a writer like me, but I became that example for myself. And because of that, I am now that example for other people. Often, when we want something that doesn’t come with a manual, we are afraid of it, because we could lose our way since there’s no map. Well, maybe WE are supposed to draw the map, so someone that comes behind us won’t get lost.

Create the map you didn’t have. That’s what I did. We must give ourselves permission to be who we want to be, even if we don’t have the blueprint yet, and that starts with dreaming.

The lives we live are full of people’s dreams realized. The things we use every day are born from the audacity of someone who thought it was possible. There are many times when I’m traveling and I’m in awe of the fact that I’m in a tin can in the sky. When I’m eye level with clouds and think, “Bruhhhh, whose great-great-great-great-grandparent would have thought this was possible?” that shit feels magical. Science is made up of imaginations that ran wild and dreamed magical things that actually became achievable.

When our dreams come true, we’re expanding the worlds of others because now they know theirs can too.

So why don’t we operate our lives in this way?

When we dream, we’re giving others permission to do the same.

When our dreams are big, we’re telling the folks who know us that they don’t have to be small either.

We must dream and dream boldly and unapologetically.

Have the audacity to dream and ask. Sometimes, the universe/God amplifies the ask to bigger levels, and that is the best surprise. You have everything to gain, as he adds suya seasoning and Maggi cubes to your desires.

Life’s adventures never promised a straight path, and that’s often what stops us. But we must dream. All we have, even in the worst moments, are the dreams of better things to come.

Adapted from the new book Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones, published by Penguin Life, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright © 2021 by Awe Luv, LLC.

Watch her TED Talk now:

About the author

Luvvie Ajayi Jones  is an award-winning author, speaker and podcast host, who thrives at the intersection of comedy, media and justice. She is the author of Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual, recently published by Penguin Life, and the New York Times bestseller I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual. She also hosts the podcasts Professional Troublemaker and Jesus and Jollof, where she covers all things culture with a critical yet humorous lens. She is cofounder of the #SharetheMicNow global movement and runs her own social platform, LuvvNation, which is a safe space in a dumpster fire world.

• book excerpt
• inspiration
• luvvie ajayi
• luvvie ajayi jones
• society and culture

TED Talk of the Day

How to make radical climate action the new normal

6 ways to give that aren't about money

A smart way to handle anxiety -- courtesy of soccer great Lionel Messi

How do top athletes get into the zone? By getting uncomfortable

6 things people do around the world to slow down

Creating a contract -- yes, a contract! -- could help you get what you want from your relationship

Could your life story use an update? Here’s how to do it 

6 tips to help you be a better human now

How to have better conversations on social media (really!)

Let’s stop calling them “soft skills” -- and call them “real skills” instead

3 strategies for effective leadership, from a former astronaut

There’s a know-it-all at every job — here’s how to deal

The 7 types of people you need in your life to be resilient

Why we need to call out casual racism

How open government data creates smarter societies

Expand your horizons and widen your world with 35 new books from TED speakers

Home / Essay Samples / Life / Dream / Our Dreams Do Come True

Our Dreams Do Come True

• Category: Life , Sociology
• Topic: Dream , Personal Experience , Personal Life

Pages: 1 (528 words)

Views: 2447

• Downloads: -->

--> ⚠️ Remember: This essay was written and uploaded by an--> click here.

Found a great essay sample but want a unique one?

are ready to help you with your essay

You won’t be charged yet!

Communication Skills Essays

Nonverbal Communication Essays

First Impression Essays

Rogerian Argument Essays

Public Speaking Essays

Related Essays

We are glad that you like it, but you cannot copy from our website. Just insert your email and this sample will be sent to you.

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service  and  Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Your essay sample has been sent.

In fact, there is a way to get an original essay! Turn to our writers and order a plagiarism-free paper.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->