Following Your Dreams

“What happens to a dream deferred, does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?”

Most of us have read this infamous quote by Langston Hughes at some point in our lives. The older I become the more I linger on that question. Even still, throughout my time in primary education, I was constantly asked what I wanted to be when I became older. The older I became the more I realized how biased that question was. To be so young, and to be asked that existential question with no follow up, not even as much as a whisper on how to get there, could have been detrimental to my development and to some it was. The answer to life’s problems growing up was following the American Dream, the quest for financial freedom. The American Dream is more of a myth than fact meant to establish the narrative that anyone can attain what their heart desires. The question remains then, how do you follow your true dreams? Are these dreams desires or destiny?

One of my favorite all time books is Outliers by Malcom Gladwell. Malcolm Gladwell gained my respect as author and also as an intellectual. Outliers dissects the American Dream within the context of the social hierarchies that exist in the United States and also in foreign places too. The book’s analysis goes even further to break down the individual success and failure of different titans, communities, and industries. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are referenced in Outliers as extraordinary cases because these two respective individuals are titans and household names. They have been credited for revolutionizing society and the world through technology. Some have even attempted to emulate their path. Malcolm Gladwell takes time to dissect why simply making a general comparison between your success and another’s success is dangerous. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates both had special access and support which allowed them to be revolutionary. While in high school Bill Gates had access to one of the only known supercomputers in existence. This ultimately gave him a huge advantage in quantum computing and advanced networking which led to his inception of Microsoft. The question then becomes, was Bill Gates extraordinarily bright? Lucky? Blessed? Maybe, it is a combination of all three but considering these facts one must realize that access towards said dream is fairly important.

When chasing a dream you must put emphasis on the journey. The destination is important but the journey is different for every person and every dream. It’s important to be strategic with your resources. Many people burn themselves out attempting to reach their dream overnight. This is where purpose becomes so important. Purpose is the burning fire that keeps going even when there’s no gasoline. From the college student who is up at four am, determined to finish their research or complete a project to the independent designer who is putting that last label or screw on. Seriously, you have to love the journey. The journey won’t love you, it won’t even look your way until it’s sure you’ve dedicated your spirit to it. Luckily for any aspiring inventor, gamer, web developer, artist, musician, doctor, lawyer, designer, even public servant, we have more access than ever to accessing the dreams you desire.

Take advantage of your environment whatever may be there to uplift you. Rooting your dream is something purposeful is important but even when you can’t completely do that, having a support system is quintessential. In times of need, even the strongest person needs help. It’s important to have different mentors for different industries that can give you insider knowledge, advice, and even financial support. This would be considered your outernet. Your inner network is most important because these are the people who will directly support your endeavors and most important of all, support you. It’s important to diversify this network to different archetypes of people( medical, journalism, engineer, artist, designer, critical thinker, accountant). These are the people in your network that will help you shape your dream into something manifestable. On your journey you will encounter many people and most won’t directly come onto your journey but remember there’s a uniqueness to everyone and you never know how they could support your dream. Life is full of expectations but we forget how unexpected and mysterious it can be. Don’t limit your journey. Shape it, yes, but let it flow and mold you as you mold it.

By Will Baker