Educational articles

Photo by Augustina Piečienė

When we fail to make our dreams come true, we often feel dissatisfied with ourselves. However, such a reaction is not always appropriate. When can a dream become a reality, and when is such a possibility not there?

It is important to know that there are 4 types of dreams:

Dream-goal. A dream is realized when we carry the image of the goal within us. It doesn’t necessarily have to be very specific, but it is there. A practical approach and energy "betray" that it will definitely happen. One could say it has already happened, and we just need to take the necessary steps.

Dream-direction. We have certain criteria by which we recognize what is "ours" and what is not in line with our path. We have an internal goal but haven’t yet found the necessary interactions in the external world, so we don’t take concrete actions. Sooner or later, this type of dream is usually realized.

Dream-possibility. We talk a lot, ponder, and doubt whether it will work. We are in the realm of possibilities, we see them, but we haven’t internally decided whether we need them, so we waste our energy and time on deliberation. Often, people live with dreams of possibilities for years. The chances of realizing such dreams are 50/50.

Dream-fantasy. There is no connection to reality, no specific points of connection with the real world. It’s just empty talk, “how I would like...”. It may be that our being doesn’t even need it. As long as the dream remains at the level of fantasy, it will never be realized. Potentially, there could be a good impulse within a fantasy, but at that moment, we don’t have the opportunities or competencies, so such a dream could only be realized in the distant future when those opportunities emerge.

To realize a dream, mental energy is required, which can be wasted on empty talk or used to take action. We delay the realization of dreams when we spend too much time on fantasies and possibilities.

Excerpt from the leadership training program by Rasa Baltė Balčiūnienė, founder of the HAI Institute.