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Childlike Dreams

July 3, 2018

One of the things that our company creates and distributes is an elementary school program called The Voyage. This program has given me an opportunity to be in elementary schools more often and to witness the wonder of a child’s imagination. There are many fun things that happen in elementary schools, but for me, the most captivating moments are when we see the imagination of little children at work—the way they think about things, play with one another, and write stories. Most adults want to instill the belief in children that there is no limit to what they can do, so we encourage their curiosity, imagination, and dreams. It doesn’t matter their socio-economic status, their race, or their gender—we want to inspire all kids to dream about what they can be one day. One of the most common questions we ask children is what they want to be when they grow up. (One comedian remarked, that some adults aren’t that interested in the answers, but they are just looking for ideas!)

But something strange happens when we get older; we stop celebrating the dreamers and creatives. What we encourage in children, we patronize in adults.

That guy needs to grow up. It’s time for her to get serious. They need to be more realistic.

It’s true—as adults, we have real responsibilities we need to own. We need to provide for ourselves and do what’s best for our families. But we also need to remember that there are still opportunities for us to dream and for us to pursue new things.

Will Smith says, “Being realistic is the most common path to mediocrity.”

So don’t settle. Rediscover some of those childlike ideals.

If you have a dream, pursue it.

If you want a career change, explore it.

If you have a new idea or initiative for your company, present it.

The older we get, the more we color inside the lines and think inside the box. But often, it’s curiosity and imagination that lead to more fulfillment, new innovations, and answers to problems the world is desperately looking to solve.

If you’ve given up on your dream or are too afraid to take the leap, this blog is for you. Put your dream back on the table. Dust it off. Explore it. Pursue it. And make a difference in the world around you.

I have a new book out called The Lens of Leadership. It’s all about perspective because I believe the way we view things changes how we do things. 

CLICK TO ORDER The Lens of Leadership

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