Just Start: Dreams (week 1)

Dear Andre, (4-minute read)

Have you ever looked yourself in the mirror and thought: "I should be farther ahead in life by now"?

If you've ever thought that to yourself, you aren't alone.

(Quick note: if this is helpful share this email with a guy in his 20’s who wants to start a business.

Most guys are stuck in a deadly trap between two thoughts:

1. Saying "someday" to their dreams

2. Beating themselves up thinking "I should be further ahead by now"

This combination creates a self-made prison that's hard to escape. Because you tell yourself it will be easier later (which is a lie), while simultaneously feeling behind. Most people would rather grow numb to their dreams than admit they have them but not know how to get them.

Let me tell you about the dream that changed everything for me.

The Prayer That Ripped Through Me

It was July 2020. Covid. Bored out of my mind. Going into work 1 day a week was killing me. but then I found this podcast called Battle Ready and listened to every single episode. But there were two episodes I played over and over again because of one prayer that moved me more than I imagined possible.

It ripped through me like a tidal wave.

Here's what the prayer said: "I pray that you would live by faith, be known by love, and be a voice of hope. That you would dream great dreams, and have the courage to go after them."

I listened until I'd memorized those words. And for the first time in years, I remembered a dream I'd buried: Living in Ecuador for 2-3 months. It seemed impossible. But I couldn't just keep thinking about it anymore. It REQUIRED action.

The Two Words That Murder Dreams

In my book "Just Start," the first chapter is called "Someday." There are two words that murder more dreams than anything else: "someday" and "later." Especially if you're in your twenties with dreams of traveling the world or starting a business.

Here's the paradox you need to understand: It's not easy now, and it's also the easiest it will ever be. If you can hold both of those truths at the same time, you'll take hold of what's available to you now and look back thinking, "I'm so glad I said yes."

What I Know About You

I know something about you, Andre. You have dreams. Maybe it's traveling the world, starting a company, or falling in love. There's something in you that knows exactly what you want.

But here's what I also know: There's fear. You believe you have to be "ready" before you start. That the first attempt has to be perfect.

Andre, you don't. Just start.

The first step is acknowledging that you have a dream and being willing to go after it. Earlier this week I was helping an author gain clarity on marketing their book. Today I’m doing a giveaway in my detailing business. Last month I ran my first Just Start cohort (it sold out), and the first week was entirely about dreams. Why? Because so many of us have let our dreams fade because it's easier to pretend we don't have them than admit we have them but not know how to get them.

The Weight of Your Gift

You have a dream. And only you can do it. There's a weight to this. You have capacity, but you're afraid to lean into it fully because you're afraid to fail. Afraid to let people down. Afraid to be imperfect.

So what do you do? You play it safe. You wait. You tell yourself someday you'll start the business, the podcast, fall in love. But tomorrow isn't promised.

ANDRE! Don't waste the gift that's in you.

Your Challenge This Week

Here's what I want you to do: Take a walk. No phone. Just think. Ask yourself: What are the things you truly want but distract yourself away from?

If you don't know what you want, start with an anti-vision. Write out exactly what you DON'T want:

• To be broke

• To have bad health

• To have bad relationships

• To have negative self-talk

Then reverse engineer with specificity:

• I don't want to be broke → How much money do I want to make?

• I don't want to be unhealthy → What does healthy look like? Shredded abs or just being able to pick up your niece without worry?

You need a dream. Without a compelling picture of the future, you'll medicate your way through these precious moments in your twenties when you could be building skills and experiences that shape you into an incredible man with a rich, textured life.

The Story Continues...

Next week I'll finish the Ecuador story and talk about what you do once you have the dream clearly in view. But for these next 4 weeks, just choose one dream.

I'm here for you.

Well, that's all for now.

Daniel

P.S. - If you want more support with this, I'll be launching another Just Start cohort in October to work through these dreams with my live guidance.

P.P.S. - What's one dream you've had for over a year with no action? Hit reply and tell me. Sometimes you just need one person to say "Go for it."