E11: Dreams: Good stories or Real

"Dreams"

We all have dreams.
 Some come to us in the quiet of the night—strange, unfiltered, full of mystery.
 Others live deep within us—visions of who we want to be, what we hope to achieve, where we wish to go.

But here’s the question: Are dreams just stories we tell ourselves?
 Or are they blueprints waiting for us to wake up and start building?

In today’s episode, I want to explore the world of dreams—both the ones that visit us while we sleep, and the ones that push us while we’re awake.

Let’s talk about what it really takes to make dreams real.

Transcript

Dreams

Welcome back to the podcast.

Today, we’re diving into a topic that touches every one of us—whether we speak about it openly or just quietly keep it to ourselves.

Dreams.

We all have them. Some make sense. Some don’t.
 Some feel like movies playing in our heads.
 Some leave us confused, inspired… or even terrified.

Let’s start with the kind of dreams we have while we’re asleep.

The Mystery of Sleeping Dreams

You know the kind I mean—those late-night, mind-bending journeys where time, place, and logic just don’t exist. One minute you’re walking through your old school, the next you’re flying over a city you’ve never visited, next thing you know—you’re being chased by a giant penguin for no reason at all.

Sound familiar?

Dreams can be so random. They mix people from different chapters of your life—your childhood friend might suddenly show up in your office. The past blends with the future. They don’t follow rules. They’re often strange, sometimes wonderful, and occasionally scary.

Recurring dreams are especially interesting.
 Maybe it’s the same staircase.
 The same feeling of being late.
 Or falling.
 Or being chased.

Why do they happen? Psychologists suggest they reflect unresolved emotions—something our subconscious is trying to make sense of.

Then there are nightmares. Those intense, unsettling dreams that jolt us awake and stick with us long after. They're uncomfortable, sure—but they’re often messengers. Clues. Our mind’s way of flagging a fear or tension we haven’t fully addressed.

But then… there are the other dreams.
 The ones we carry with us when we’re wide awake.

Dreams While Awake – Our Aspirations

These are the dreams we choose—the ones we shape, nurture, and reach for.

Maybe it’s a dream of becoming an actor, a singer, a business owner.
 Maybe it’s owning a home.
 Raising a family.
 Travelling the world.
 Making a difference.
 Being financially free.

These aren’t the random nighttime reels—we consciously carry them with us. They live in our hearts. Our journals. Our thoughts when we stare out the window.

And here’s the thing:
 All dreams start as stories.
 But they only become real when we do something about them.

I heard a saying once:
 "Dreams are just good stories until you wake up and make them real."

Let that sink in for a moment.

We all love the idea of the dream. But what are we doing about it once we’re awake?

The Cost of a Dream

Here’s a hard question:
 To make your dreams come true, what are you willing to do?

Because dreams—real dreams—cost something.

Not always in money, but in time. Energy. Focus. Sacrifice.
 Are you willing to get up earlier? Stay up later?
 Are you willing to keep going when no one claps for you yet?

Let me share a couple of examples.

Example 1: The Actor’s Audition

Imagine an aspiring actor. Talented, driven, full of personality. But always waiting for someone to “spot” him. Not going to any Auditions, “waiting for the right one.”

Here’s the thing: you don’t get discovered by waiting. You get discovered by showing up. Every day. Whether it’s glamorous or not. Whether anyone’s watching or not.

Dreams don't knock on your door.
 You’ve got to go out and meet them halfway.

Example 2: The Coffee Shop Hustle

Someone who opened a tiny café during lockdown. Everyone told her not to. “Now’s not the time,” they said. But she had a dream. A vision. And she backed it up with effort.

Early mornings. Late nights. Learning how to bake because she couldn’t afford a chef at first. Social media posts. Free samples. Sleepless nights.

Now?  a buzzing little local spot.

Not because of luck. But because she showed up—even when the odds said not to.

Luck vs. Work

Don’t get me wrong—luck plays a part in life. Right place, right time, right person.

But luck only works with effort.
You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket.

Dreams without action? They stay dreams.
 Dreams with action? That’s where change begins.

What Homework Are You Doing?

If you have a dream—ask yourself:

Are you doing the homework? Are you learning the craft? Are you surrounding yourself with people who inspire you? Are you trying, failing, and trying again?

Dreams require movement. Motion. Learning. Rejection. Risk.
 But they also bring growth. Joy. And eventually—success.

Dreams Need Updating

Sometimes we outgrow a dream. That’s okay too.

Maybe when you were younger, your dream was to be a pilot—but now you realise your heart lies in teaching. Or running a charity. Or building something with your hands.

Dreams can evolve.
 And letting go of one dream isn’t failure—it’s growth.

What matters is that you’re still dreaming.
 Still reaching.
 Still moving.

Final Thoughts

So, whether you’re someone chasing a dream, holding onto one, or maybe even feeling like yours is slipping away—here’s my message to you today:

Don’t give up on it.

Wake up and make it real.
 You don’t need a full plan—just a first step.
Don’t wait for perfect timing—create momentum.

And remember:
 A dream written down becomes a goal.
 A goal broken into steps becomes a plan.
 And a plan backed by action becomes a reality.

So dream big. But then—do bigger.

Thank you for listening. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone else who might need a little nudge to chase their own dream.

Until next time,
You are in my thoughts.