Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground
It is probably a safe bet to say that most major success stories and modern innovations come from those who look beyond what other’s see as being “normal” or even possible. As Eleanor Roosevelt once quoted, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”. It’s probably also a safe bet to say that most people who achieve these dreams are considered different and sometimes even strange. I know in my research, the majority of stories I’ve read about, watched on videos or television or heard on radio or podcasts share quite a few similarities. One of them being that somebody doubted them or told them to give up and pursue the more conventional career or life paths. Another similarity is that every single one of these people never stopped believing in their dreams along the way and no matter what they had to do to make it work, the dream remained their primary focus.

“Just because my path is different, doesn’t mean I’m lost.”
As stated before, the similarities between these individual’s stories are uncanny. It’s as if the pathway to success was taught to each of them in the same way, by the same person, that instilled many of the same thoughts and values in each one of them. Obviously, that’s not the case as I seriously doubt there is a Yoda of success out there training all of these people. If there is something I’m missing, please send him my way and tell him I’m ready for the force. Also, tell him I can pay him in tacos. Most of these people that I have researched live with their heads in the clouds but they are all extremely grounded in the process. I feel as though this is the biggest key to achieving dreams that are “out of the ordinary”. Many of these people don’t start these businesses or empires with the intention of even creating a business, but rather doing something they are extremely passionate about. They eat, sleep, and breathe it. So what separates them from the majority of people who never succeed in pursuing their dreams or passions?

- A Lack of Passion: I feel that we are all to quick to state the fact that we are going to create a business. So much so, that we don’t even care if it’s something we actually WANT to do as long as it makes a gazillion dollars in a year… The fact is, creating a business or pursuing a dream takes laser focus and extreme dedication. If it is not something you are passionate about, your chances of success are extremely low.
- Unrealistic Expectations: Most of us are plagued with unrealistic ideas as to what starting a business actually takes both on a time and effort basis. If you’ve ever been in business for yourself, you will definitely understand what I’m talking about at this point. If you are considering it, and are transitioning from a steady and stable job as an employee, just know that there are a million “what have I done?” moments coming your way.
- Plan B: In my opinion, Plan B is important. Now I know what you might be thinking. This guy preaches about chasing your dreams and then says to have a plan B? The answer is yes, but I’m not talking about a conventional plan B. I am talking about one that reroutes itself to the original plan. If you truly, TRULY, believe in something, you should never give up on it. Plan B generally means giving up on your dream and settling for whatever pays the bills and is tolerable. Whereas, one that reroutes to Plan A, allows you to keep your dreams alive while not starving or living in a car. Sure it might allow less time to work on these dreams, but if it is something you are truly passionate about, you will still put some time in each day and everything really starts to come together. Plan B can also help you overcome some of the financial hurdles that come along with Plan A. In almost every success story I heard, the person telling it either worked a job they hated while they pursued their dreams or had terrible living conditions. Which do you prefer?
- Number four, or possibly what should have been 2a… but I’m not going back to fix it now… Unrealistic Expectations as to How Long it Takes to Bring a Dream to Life: A successful business in most cases, is something that doesn’t happen overnight or even fast. It takes a ton of time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears. If you’re not willing to take this on, go get a job and stop now. The undeniable fact is, this process doesn’t work unless you do.
- Four a? two b, or not two b? (heh)… Let’s just call it five. Unrealistic Expectations in Success vs. Failure: If you start to pursue your passions, chase your dreams, start a business, or anything else that floats your boat, you are going to have “FAILURES”. I seriously doubt that you will find ANYONE who is successful that won’t admit to “failing” many times along the way. It is my opinion yet again, that our natural reaction to “failure” is to give up, be ashamed, feel inadequate, or assume that, “this just isn’t for me.”. So why failure in the quotes? No, it is not my Dr. Evil impression… though now every time I see it… well… never mind… I believe that it is CRUCIAL to retrain ourselves to believe that the only true failures are to give up or to never try. Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that didn’t work.” We have to retrain ourselves to see failures in a completely different manner. We need to view failures as “ways that did not work” and realize that each is a learning experience that is guiding us in the right direction.
- Be yourself. Do you. Do not listen to those who doubt you and do not allow ANYONE to make you doubt yourself. Constructive criticism is not the same as doubt and it is important to be able to decipher between the two as one is needed and the other is toxic.

In closing, the beautiful thing about living in the information age is the fact that we have access to all of these success stories. We have amazing footsteps to follow in and we can learn from those who have already gone through the hardships. We may even possibly be able to avoid SOME of the hardships and adversities that come along with bringing your plans or dreams to fruition. Even if not, the keys to success are described over and over again in great detail by many people who have already “made it”. Never in the history of time, have we had all of this available to us at our fingertips. Listen to what they have to say. Let their words, guides, and examples be your mentor. Use extreme logic in leveraging what is available to you that others in the past had to do without. It’s as simple as this. Companies have the training to teach employees how to emulate other employees and therefore, become successful when it comes to upholding and working well according to a company’s values and business practices. When you are doing things by and for yourself, this includes finding “training” and who to emulate. If you want to be successful, emulate successful people. Keep your head in the clouds when it comes to your dreams, but keep your feet on the ground when it comes to the process.
