The really interesting question to me right now is, what sets someone on the path of investing everything in a hopeless dream?
I’ve been thinking about this, and I think part of the problem is the “narrative fallacy,” i.e. the subconscious urge to fit your life into a narrative. Combine this with the “hero myth” which is so well-entrenched in popular culture, and it’s very easy to subconsciously believe that you are destined to do important things (or at least to achieve a lot) just like the protagonist in a large percentage of books and movies.
Is there any hope for thinking back to that moment, or set of moments, and making a little twist to put yourself on a happier path?
Perhaps, but I think the better approach is to find some way to follow your dreams but with a fallback plan. So for example to spend 30-60 minutes a day on your screenplay or novel while the rest of the time you are an accountant, advertising executive, etc.
Perhaps, but I think the better approach is to find some way to follow your dreams but with a fallback plan. So for example to spend 30-60 minutes a day on your screenplay or novel while the rest of the time you are an accountant, advertising executive, etc.
30-60 minutes a day isn’t following your dreams with a fallback, it’s living the fallback while playing at following the dream.
30-60 minutes a day isn’t following your dreams with a fallback, it’s living the fallback while playing at following the dream.
I think the point you are making is that 30-60 minutes a day gives you basically zero chances of success in terms of achieving your dream. Did I understand you correctly?
Ok, well I would have to disagree with you. I do agree that for some kinds of dream-pursuit, a bigger time commitment is necessary. For example an internet startup in a highly competitive area would be at a huge disadvantage compared to people working full time.
But for other things, a part-time commitment will still give you a decent shot. If you are not in a race with other people and it takes you 6 months instead of 1 month to get your project off the ground, it’s not going to hurt you all that much.
I’ve been thinking about this, and I think part of the problem is the “narrative fallacy,” i.e. the subconscious urge to fit your life into a narrative. Combine this with the “hero myth” which is so well-entrenched in popular culture, and it’s very easy to subconsciously believe that you are destined to do important things (or at least to achieve a lot) just like the protagonist in a large percentage of books and movies.
Perhaps, but I think the better approach is to find some way to follow your dreams but with a fallback plan. So for example to spend 30-60 minutes a day on your screenplay or novel while the rest of the time you are an accountant, advertising executive, etc.
30-60 minutes a day isn’t following your dreams with a fallback, it’s living the fallback while playing at following the dream.
I think the point you are making is that 30-60 minutes a day gives you basically zero chances of success in terms of achieving your dream. Did I understand you correctly?
Yes, exactly.
Ok, well I would have to disagree with you. I do agree that for some kinds of dream-pursuit, a bigger time commitment is necessary. For example an internet startup in a highly competitive area would be at a huge disadvantage compared to people working full time.
But for other things, a part-time commitment will still give you a decent shot. If you are not in a race with other people and it takes you 6 months instead of 1 month to get your project off the ground, it’s not going to hurt you all that much.