The other day I came across a man I knew when I was growing up and asked how he was doing, to which he replied, “living the dream.” Yet, everything in his voice and body language told me he was doing everything but. I know that every person was blessed with the 
ability to dream and deep down inside has a dream they would love to be running to. After my short interaction with this gentleman, someone I had always looked up to as an adventurous, goal driven person, I began to wonder, what causes someone to give up their dream?
In the book Put Your Dream To The Test, John Maxwell defines a dream as …an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it. In a nutshell a dream is what makes us feel alive. In one of the greatest countries in the world, with more technology to make our lives easier, and more opportunity than ever, whyhave so many people given up on “living the dream?”
Maxwell gives five most common reasons people have trouble identifying (or give up on) their dream:
5. Lack of Imagination – It’s inside you! Think of when you were a child and could dream of anything. You are not an accident and are here for a purpose. Go find that purpose!
4. Lack of Confidence Needed to Pursue Dream – Sometimes confidence separates people who pursue their dreams from those who don’t.
3. Settling for Average – Mediocrity is a personal choice.
2. Hindered by Past Disappointments and Hurts – Mistakes are how we grow. Just don’t make the same ones.
1. Discouraged From Dreaming by Others – Some people who aren’t pursuing their dreams don’t like to see others pursuing theirs. Other people’s success makes them feel inadequate or insecure.
“Most men live lives of quiet desperation” and “Most men die at 25 and wait until 75 to be buried” are two quotes that explained my life well. All five Maxwell reasons for giving up on a dream could describe where I was several years ago. I am very thankful I got my LIFE back.
If you have given up on your dream I encourage you to go find it. It will make you feel alive. Enjoy the journey, Steve Leurquin.
[...] Living The Dream (20) [...]
I ran out of ink, in my pen, just underlining so many golden nuggets from just the 1st 60 pages!! Great book by J. Maxwell….
Great Post! Reading though John Maxwell’s list I was reminded of another movie about dreaming big….Rudy. From beginning to end, you can see where Rudy is faced with dream killers, but he get thought them all. I dare anyone not to watch RUDY and be inspired to dream big, and also make it through the entire film with dry eyes.
Thanks for the post, Steve! Your example is an inspiration to everyone on the TEAM.
I think you may love movies more than I. Inspiration can be found anywhere if we look hard enough.
Steve
Hey S, great post!! After reading and watching the clip it reminded me of my son Dominic. This little guy is AWESOME and could seriously be very successful in everything he putt his mind to. The list of the reasons people dont dream my little man would be a #4 for sure the lack of confidence to dream. In the clip Will tells his son “dont let anyone tell you, you CANT do something” We have a bean jar at our house(for rewards and so on) my little man uses the word CANT too often so we started to take the beans away when the word sliped out!!!! HeHeHe oh mom is so smart!!! The difference in my 8 year old is crazy!!! Just getting rid of one 4 letter word has changed his perspective on himself!!! VICTORY!!! So I ask my self how many 4 letter words do I use in my self talk to keep my self from the dream….. I would rather keep a full jar!!! Thanks for always adding a bean!! Emily
Excellent idea for helping someone break a habit.
Steve
Wow, sounds like a policy council member to me! Way to go Steve!
Thanks Robby.
As I read Maxwell’s 5 things, I couldn’t help but think of Brady’s 10 things he spelled out at the major why people give up on this opportunity. Also, thanks for referencing that book… wait ’til you get to the bottom of page 219 and the top of 220, then tell me we aren’t in the right place at the right time with the right people with the right vehicle!
God bless, John Graff
Those pages tell exactly what we do.
Steve
Again-this is great! I agree with Dan; totally inspiring. I am finally learning to dream again, and it is fun! I can’t wait to help more people find that joy.
YOu already are.
Steve
Thank you Steve!
YOu are welcome Bobbie
Wow! Great article. I am inspired by your writing. The world would be a better place more people began to dream!
Yes it would
Steve
Love that move…love that line! Thanks Steve and Jamie for having the courage to dream and chase after it with all you have. You are creating a ripple effect of dreamers. God Bless!
Courage comes from seeing others prove things are possible. Thanks for being courage!
Steve
Thanks Steve this is awesome
Thanks Michael