The Never-Ending Work of Building Our Dream

There is an audio version below.

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To be honest, I don’t feel like writing this article. For those of you who know me, you’re thinking, “I thought that dude was a writing addict.” I love to write almost more than breathing, yet I’m not feeling it. I wish I could fake it, but this is like pulling teeth.

This isn’t the first time I’ve felt this way. There are times when I dread a podcast interview I have on my schedule. There are events that are paying me to speak, but I don’t want to get on stage in front of a group of strangers.

Most of you know I’m a high-functioning introvert, so maybe that contributes to these feelings, but I think it’s deeper than that. I think some reading this feel the same way.

We Aren’t the Energize Bunny

I’m the first one to tell you that to make your dream your reality, you have to hustle. You have to find time in the margins between your day job to work on your dream. The harder you hustle, the more progress you make.

While hustle is important, none of us is the Energizer Bunny. We NEED a break. We need to step away from our dreams and take a deep breath.

Despite waking up every day and living my dream, I still need a break from it. I have written over half a million words and my fingers and mind are feeling it. If I keep pushing, I know I will start to get bitter towards writing.

Hustle Smarter

Ok, it’s been a week since I started this. I took a week away to refresh and enjoyed the quiet moments (while my kids were in school). I needed that break even though life is good.

You need a break, too. I know how hard you’re hustling, and I know what you want to accomplish, but you have to hustle smarter. Hustling more intelligently means having the right balance and focus.

If you have a family, they have to come first. After that, you need to work hard, but take breaks. I’m not telling you to get out of the car, so to speak. I’m saying to ease off the gas pedal as you come to intersections. If you’re single, you will still need breaks.

One of the main reasons dreamers crash and burn is because of burnout. Yes, life is short, but building a dream isn’t going to happen overnight. It takes time and focused effort.

There will always be something you have to do that’s a part of your dream chasing journey. Even after you’ve accomplished freedom, the tasks keep piling up.

I want you to live out your dream. I want you to do it this year; that would be super cool! But, I want you to build your dream lifestyle without turning it into a nightmare.

Take breaks and refresh your perspective. Maintain the proper balance. Don’t settle. The danger in writing this article is that some will read it and let it feed into previously used excuses. Please, don’t settle. Chase your dreams in a smarter way. Be honest with yourself.

Audio version:

Have you been worn out while chasing a dream?

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Photo: Flickr/ bark