The Dreamer Syndrome

I am a Dreamer. 

Nice statement right? It makes me sound a little ambitious and confident perhaps? It makes it seem as though I have goals in life and--though I have not stated them--one might assume that I have plans to achieve them.

What I’ve noticed, however, with this statement--that is often used in the inter-webs to make individuals sound minimally profound--is that it is never expounded upon.  Thus, in my cynical nature, I could be left with the interpretation that said dreamer may be in a continual slumber for the rest of his life, trapped in a fairytale land of what life might look like if he…

… started his business.
… pursued his passion.
… traveled the country.
… cured cancer. 

And if awakened from this dream, shaken by reality and spit in the face by debt collectors, the dreamer may realize that he is, in fact, but a crippled idealist.  Sure, he knows what he wants to do in life but he is supported by a crutch that tells him that dreaming is enough, when in the real world, being a dreamer is the bare minimum.

Let’s take a look at the ultimate example of The Dreamer, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  We must not be fooled into thinking that his dreams of equality stopped at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. After he gave his speech, he did not tell his crew “Okay, so I put my hopes and dreams out into the universe. Let’s sit on this moment and see what happens.”

What’s more is that his dreams did not begin in Washington, DC.  Long before the proclamation, this man had a plan for his dreams.  And he knew that in order to execute this plan, he needed a team.  He needed resources.  He needed support. 

And when approaching his team, he knew that he could not come to a meeting and say, “I am a Dreamer.” and with that, the meeting was adjourned.

This overused statement should never end with a period, but instead, look something like this...

I am a Dreamer…

…PLUS, I am transitioning myself into becoming a doer, with ultimate aspirations of becoming an achiever.  
And not only should you aspire to achieve, you should be able to verbalize when and how you will turn your dreams into a reality.  And anytime you want to announce your dreamer-status, you should have in your back pocket your Dreamer’s Plan of Action (which is what I imagine Dr. King whipped out at his first meeting among staff/volunteers).

So, what are the quick steps of creating your Dreamer’s Plan of Action?

Step One: Write on a sheet of paper… “I am a Dreamer…”

Step Two:Write, in detail, what exactly these so-called-dreams of yours are.

Step Three:Associate the appropriate time frame in which you plan to conquer these dreams. 

Step Four:Write, in detail, each step needed to be taken in order to achieve these dreams (this might take a little research).

Step Five:Write the current resources that you already have access to, as well as those you wish to attain to assist you in pursuing your dreams.

Step Six: Cross out “dreamer”, replace it with “doer” and get to work!!
Always keep in mind that having a dream is only a gateway to achievement, it is never the solution. Reaching our dreams takes planning, physical action and overwhelming dedication.  

So, let us jump outside of the dreamers box and become doers, shall we?   

Image retrieved from http://alfitude.com/tag/dreamer/