Protecting Your Dream (5 min. read)

One of the main questions we all face in life is when people ask us about our dreams or future goals. This to me has always been a very personal and sensitive subject especially as an entrepreneur. I have often found myself only being comfortable sharing my smaller goals with new people I meet. Its my way of protecting my dreams. Not everyone is going to think like you and it’s already hard enough to commit to a vision. When people constantly question you, if you are not firmly grounded and committed, naturally we start doubt and question our path. When people ask me this question, I reveal a little at a time depending on how well we know each other. Your dream is like a special and extremely personal movie that only privileged people in your inner circle can preview before the release date. Its okay to share a short preview but I say let them see the final production and discover your dream on their own.

Entrepreneurship sucks. That’s why not many people do it. It’s a huge risk. You may lose every single penny that you put into it or more. Not to mention the countless hours and effort. That’s why it’s a lifestyle. We endure temporary sacrifice for permanent gain. This is what separates creators from consumers. We hustle and endure the rough times to give us time to create and work on our dreams. I truly believe we were all born to create. Its something natural deep down inside each of us that if pursued, can turn into to some of the greatest creations in the world. But why are people so distracted to consume instead of creating? Well, it all boils down to the institution of marketing and advertising. Digital marketing experts say on average are exposed to 4,000 to 10,000 advertisements each day. This is absolutely crazy! And, also the reason why many people find themselves trapped in the consumption cycle. This is why we crave those restaurants that we see on commercials that we can’t even try because they aren’t in our state. Marketing experts have capitalized on this strategy in almost every industry; Jordan with his re-releases, Starbucks with their seasonal flavors, Supreme with their weekly releases, and the list can go on and on.

Unless you also have a father who can lend you a million dollars to start your business, its going to take a different lifestyle and sacrifice in order for you to accomplish that dream of yours. And before you even start, its even more important to protect your dream. It’s a little baby that you must take from conception to adulthood so you can create a legacy to pass on and create generational wealth. Treat it as a special treat that only genuine and deserving people get to enjoy. It’s what has helped me stay on my path with confidence and peace of mind. My rule is “Don’t give people a piece of your dream if you will make you lose you peace of mind.” Some may say that this method is just a way to cope with fear of failure and embarrassment but its not that you won’t share your dream with anyone. You only share it with those who you deem are deserving. It is not a right for people to know what you are pursuing. Some may feel entitled but trust me, if you just stick to my rule, you will find yourself more at peace in pursuing your dream.