“If you watched a movie about a guy who wanted a Volvo and worked for years to get it, you wouldn’t cry at the end when he drove off the lot, testing the windshield wipers. The truth is, you wouldn’t remember that movie a week later because nobody cries at the end of a movie about a guy who wants a Volvo. But we spend years actually living those stories, and expect our lives to feel meaningful.”
Several years ago I read about the difference between probable future and preferred future. Your probable future is what will happen if you continue on with business-as-usual. Your preferred future is where your life heads when you answer the questions, “what do I want out of life?” and “What do I dream about?” The two futures have the same starting point but very different destinations. And, the preferred future requires more from you- vulnerability, great risk, perseverance and the chance to fail.
Tim Ferriss says “People in the world are convinced they can’t do great things, so they aim for mediocre.” But, history remembers and rewards those who find themselves worthy enough to dream. MLK had a dream, a tangible preferred future in his mind and heart that was incredibly vulnerable and risky and he impacted a country.
Do you know what you want in life? Do you believe that you are worthy to dream? What are your dreams? Have you shared them with another person?
May we know our preferred future and have the courage to pursue it today.