Chase Your Dreams!

Intuitively we think of this as good advice, but why should people chase their dreams?

I’ve said it so many times - to my kids, to young people embarking on their World Challenge adventures, and when motivational speaking - that I figured I should have a solid answer, so I decided to devote this blog to it.

Chasing (and achieving) dreams is the driving force of individual purpose, the spark that ignites passion and propels people to reach their full potential, hopefully to create a life of impact, meaning and fulfillment.

Langtang National Park, Nepal

A purpose is a North Star.

It provides direction and focus to life, helping us wake up each morning with clarity about what we want to achieve and why it matters.

In addition, pursuing a true purpose can have the practical effect of aligning our thoughts, feelings, and actions with our intrinsic motivations.

Being ‘passionate’ is probably an overused term today, but just imagine the sense of joy from knowing that what you do each day is consistent with your values and making a positive impact in the world!

Being really passionate about something can be like having a fire burning inside you that can’t be extinguished - a deep and intense feeling of excitement, enthusiasm, and love for a particular activity, cause, or interest.

Furthermore, the pursuit of big dreams pushes us outside our comfort zones, requiring us to face fears, take risks, make tough decisions, and confront our limitations.

And these are the very conditions required for growth and development, as we break free from self-imposed boundaries, discover new strengths and abilities, and develop resilience and adaptability.

By embracing challenges and stepping into the unknown, we expand our capabilities, gain new perspectives, and unlock our true potential.

This personal growth and self-discovery can be incredibly rewarding, often creating a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Now let’s turn to look at how the dreams of a few incredible individuals have impacted the world.

I have a dream.

Martin Luther King Jr grew up in a world where people were treated differently just because of the colour of their skin.

It made him sad and angry, but instead of letting it bring him down, he decided to do something about it.

Martin had a dream, a big dream. He dreamed of a world where everyone would be treated equally, no matter what they looked like.

This dream gave his life purpose and so he dedicated himself to fighting for justice and equality.

With his powerful words and peaceful protests, Martin inspired millions of people. His dream resonated with them, and they joined him in his fight. Together, they challenged the unfair laws and policies that kept people apart.

And guess what? Their hard work paid off! Martin's dream led to significant changes in civil rights laws and voting rights, and these changes made a dramatic difference in the lives of so many people.

But Martin's impact didn't stop there. His dream inspired generations to stand up against injustice and fight for a better world.

Ultimately Martin Luther King Jrs dream reminds us that we’re all equal and equally deserving of love and respect.

Nobel Prizes in two scientific fields.

Marie Curie was an incredible scientist who dreamt of changing the world through the study of radioactivity.

Her groundbreaking discoveries revolutionized our understanding of the atom and paved the way for modern nuclear physics.

Curie's research also had vast practical applications. She developed mobile X-ray units that were used during World War I to diagnose and treat soldiers' injuries, saving countless lives.

And Curie's work later led to the development of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Her discoveries opened up new possibilities for fighting this deadly disease and gave hope to millions of patients around the world.

Not only was Curie a brilliant scientist, but she was also a trailblazer for women in science.

As the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields, she shattered glass ceilings and inspired generations of women to pursue careers in STEM.

Marie Curie's dream and purpose continues to impact humanity to this day. Her legacy is one of scientific achievement, innovation, and empowerment.

Embrace your uniqueness.

Bethany Hamilton's dream is to inspire others and make a positive impact through her story and her passion for surfing.

Despite losing her arm in a shark attack when she was 13 years old, she didn't let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.

Bethany's dream gives her life purpose. She uses her experience to show people that anything is possible if you have determination and a positive mindset.

She continues to surf competitively and has achieved amazing success, proving that physical limitations don't define you.

But it's not just about her own achievements. Bethany wants to inspire others to overcome their own challenges and pursue their dreams.

She's an author, speaker, and philanthropist, spreading messages of hope, courage, and faith.

Bethany's dream has touched the lives of many. She shows people that they can overcome adversity and achieve their goals, no matter what obstacles they face.

Her story is a reminder to never give up and to embrace your uniqueness.

So, Bethany's dream gives her life purpose, and it inspires others to believe in themselves and live life to the fullest.

Chasing dreams is challenging.

Oftentimes it’s not easy to understand what our true dreams are, let alone to have what it takes to pursue them.

Naysayers may believe that chasing dreams is a luxury reserved for the privileged few, and that most people should focus on practical goals rather than chasing elusive dreams.

They might also argue that dreams often require sacrifices and can lead to disappointment and failure.

Yes, external factors such as financial constraints, lack of resources, or the expectations of others may at times hinder our progress.

And personal limitations like self-doubt, fear, or lack of confidence may create internal barriers, making the pursuit of our calling feel like it’s just too hard.

One thing is for sure - life will push back!

How to uncover our dreams.

I believe the extent to which we choose our dreams or indeed they choose us, is a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation.

We may stumble upon a passion or interest that feels like it was meant for us, or we may actively seek out our dreams through exploration and self-discovery.

Either way, figuring out our dreams involves a fair bit of self-knowledge. This is a personal skill, which means the more we practice it the better we get!

So, if we’re looking to develop our self-knowledge and understand our true dreams, we should explore different interests to see what really resonates with us.

The more we push out of our comfort zones with new experiences the more we learn about ourselves, and the greater our opportunity to consciously reflect on what truly makes us happy and fulfilled.

Conclusion

So, should people chase their dreams?

Naysayers may argue that chasing dreams is impractical and unrealistic, claiming it’s wiser to prioritize stability and security over pursuing uncertain aspirations.

Yes, developing self-knowledge and chasing our dreams can be a challenging and lifelong journey but, if we’re willing to make a few trade-offs, work hard and persevere, then it can also be a hugely enriching journey.

Moreover, we only get one life on this earth (that we know of anyway), so it follows that we should do all we can to make it as meaningful and impactful as possible.

To borrow from the late, great Jim Rohn, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

I say we pay in ounces.

Let’s go chase dreams!

World Challenge works in partnership with schools to enrich the lives of young people through experiential travel. If you’re an educator who wants to help your students to learn about themselves, the wider world, and their place within it, please get in touch.