Alumni Scholarship 46

Dreams are the seeds of hope, the visions that drive us to excel. They give direction, fire passion, and instill purpose in life. But dreaming alone is not enough. True happiness comes from taking action and making those dreams realities through hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Though dreaming possesses immense motivational abilities, we experience the highest degree of fulfillment when we take the initiative toward our goals and watch ourselves make progress.

20/20 Leadership has taught me that If all one did was dream, then they would be placing themselves into a world of limitations. Dreams by themselves give imagination and inspiration, but without motion, they are just unattainable ideas and not realities to be achieved. Someone who only dreams may find themselves trapped in a perpetual loop of “what ifs” and unrealized hopes, always yearning for something that never materializes.

On the other hand, action toward the achievement of a goal makes real, tangible change. As we strive to do something we wish for, through 20/20 Leadership we experience the feeling of accomplishment that dreaming can never provide. The joy that results from action is not so much from the achievement of a goal as from pride and satisfaction in seeing our growth in the process.

Those who concentrate only on dreaming tend to delay their happiness, thinking that happiness only exists after they reach their ultimate target. But such a thought does not consider the value of the journey itself. The act of striving for something, learning something new, working on a project, or developing a career, is very valuable. Every little triumph along the journey adds to an even greater sense of purpose.

By transforming our mindset from “I will be happy once I reach my goal” to “I am happy because I am making progress,” we allow ourselves to enjoy happiness in the present. The excitement of discovery, the fulfillment of overcoming obstacles, and pride over small triumphs all create long-term fulfillment. Those with a growth mindset understand that success does not consist of some single or ultimate moment of achievement but rather of an ongoing series of efforts and improvement.

The biggest reason why most people do not act is fear—fear of failure, fear of being imperfect, or fear of what would happen. Action is the antidote for fear. The more time we spend working at something, the more we realize that errors are part of the process of developing and learning, and not acceptable excuses for desertion. Procrastination typically entails excessive planning and waiting until the “perfect time” because no perfect time will ever come. We just have to begin, but baby steps initially. Once we begin, momentum is created, and future movement becomes a bearable habit to keep going.

Though dreaming is important, we truly live by doing. Action can bring dreams to life which is something that dreaming alone cannot accomplish. By focusing on the process and not just the outcome, we create a feeling of happiness that is meaningful and enduring. Instead of waiting impatiently for happiness in some theoretical future, we need to live in the present by actively pursuing our dreams and enjoying each step of advancement.

In the end, an inactive dream is nothing more than a wish. But a pursued dream with effort, persistence, and passion is an adventure well worth pursuing and one that leads to success and fulfillment this will then turn to leaving your legacy.