I stumbled across this article about how many Americans are giving up their dream cars due the flailing economy. In fact, the journalist asks one West coast PR Exec "Do you think you can love your Prius the way you once gave your heart to a 4Runner or a luxury sedan?" His answer: "I'm willing to not love it".
While the article introduces to several motor martyrs, I took a particular interest to Ms. Conner from Beverly Hills. She recently traded in her BMW330i Convertible for a Mini Cooper. She drops gems of knowledge saying "there’s a certain status that comes with a Jag or a BMW, but you really have to leave that at the door, the ego part." Ego aside, Ms. Conner proclaims "my heart is going forward in a different way. I don't need a luxury car anymore"
Uhm, you never did.
That's the thing about dreams, people don't typically dream about things they NEED. They dream about things they aspire to, things they hope for, and ultimately things they WANT. Even in the worst of times, people still had dreams. Though oft criticized, dreams about ANYthing were always encouraged when I was growing up. So I'm only left to wonder when did good old fashioned lifestyle ambition become so unfashionable? Why can't you just want what you want? Oh that's right, we're in a recession--wanting things is wrong.
At least the car companies recognize the irony in the guilt surrounding "want" and are proactive about it. “The trick now for the car companies is to come up with cars that won’t make people feel horrible about downsizing,” said Mr. Wardle of the Art Center College of Design. Obviously they still have some work to do because when Ms. Conner was asked about how she felt about her new Mini Cooper, "she responded with all the enthusiasm of someone who settled. 'I like it' she said flatly."
I think Ms. Conner's reaction resonates with more people than one may think. Especially those who made ill-advised choices to sacrifice their dreams for practical reasons. You can chalk this post up to ego, reduce it to a rant about my love for luxury cars, or recognize it for what it is: my proclamation that dreams still matter. Whether it be buying a car, having a child, or starting a career in investment banking and consulting; dream and dream big.
My hope is that when you look back on your life you don't just respond "I like it" flatly...
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16 RESPONSES TO "FORGET OUR FLAILING ECONOMY, KEEP DREAMING BIG"
I just quit my job in the same spirit as this post, even despite the flailing economy.
My logic was that my job is a dead end, and it's going to be no more or less of a dead end in another 6 months or even 6 years from now. It will simply never take me where I want to go, so the economy doesn't enter into it.
What's important is moving forward, even if that means dealing with some discomfort in a transition period. I've had some money saved and temporary work lined up for months, but fear of failure was still keeping me stuck in place-- it took a lot of courage for me to tune out all the opinions from well-intentioned friends and family and choose for myself. Now I am 100% confident I made the right choice.
We shouldn't give up on dreams, and we should, above all else, listen to ourselves and what our inner logic has to offer. The instant I decided to quit, I started getting my energy back--
and that's a lot more valuable than my next few paychecks.
Sometimes what makes sense has broader implications than the obvious.
@Sean--I agree. I think another source of GenTen (Generational Tension) is that a lot of times one wants what the other one can't have. In relation to your example, Gen X has a role in the workplace that may not allow for the freedom to surf the net during working hours. Gen Y wants that very role in the workplace but has a hard time proving themselves due to the excessive need to surf the internet during working hours.
@Babs--Congratulations on your career move! I'm glad you understand the spirit of the post and actually have applied it. How encouraging!
@Allison--I agree, I think if you want a dream car you also have to dream that you're able to pay for it.
@ayana--I love your name...oh, and I'm glad I could help lol
@jrandom--I was looking forward to see your thoughts! I agree that dreaming is "kind of hard" when your perspective is jilted due to some circumstance, but that doesn't mean you should give up on it all together (reference: Chris Gardner, Oprah, my dad, I could go on and on). And yes dreams are detachments from reality, that's what makes them so necessary when you're in less than ideal situations.
@Cal--I have to disagree with your reasoning between the economy and a job hunt. I graduated 2 years ago as well and came out making over 40K. I've literally received tens of thousands in promotional increases since then. And to top that off, I work in RETAIL! I think our economy is totally value based. People (and consequently companies) make choices about what they spend their money on based off the value it gives them. The things they cut aren't as valuable as other things. Before my current position I worked in HR. I guarantee you someone's luck changes when they pitch themselves in an invaluable manner during interviews, work in a way that makes them invaluable every single day, and/or they believe that ultimately their dream job lies in their hands.
@Monica--I understand, your wants do change as you grow. Maybe you can try focusing on what you DON'T want and why. Once you identify those things, you can sort through what's left over
The hard part I think is knowing what you want.
And then still wanting it when you get it.
That's what I struggle with at least.
I found Kiersten's little "piece of mind" to be very similar to mine when I was graduating college two years ago. I had this dream that I'd come out making 40K, AT LEAST! I mean, come on, I just graduated from college and I worked my (you can fill in the blank) off to get where I was, who's to tell me that I can't get a job I WANT or have always dreamed of?
On the contrary, your capability to obtain a job is only as good as the economy allows your capabilities, thus a recession does effect your ability to land the job you've always dreamed of. Yes, wanting and needing are two seperate entities, the difference is is that one has contraints, it's called the economy. Dreams are exactly that, a dream. Now I'm not saying dreams are unattainable, it's just that Gen Y (of which I am) has the mind set that if you dream it you can have it. Keep dreaming big, but have a plan to get where you're going, don't just assume that mommy and daddy telling you to "dream big" is going to pay off without working for it.
That was a cool article. I was truly inspired to keep dreaming and not sell out to fear and conformity. When I look back over my life, I want my response to be passionate with no regrets. I lived my dreams, or at least attempted to. Thanks for the inspiring article.
"Why can’t you just want what you want? Oh that’s right, we’re in a recession–wanting things is wrong."
Wanting what you want when it's different from needing what you don't have, tends to look like you're detached from reality.
It's kind of hard to want a career in investment banking, when you can't pay for the rent, utilities, medical bills, and food today. At this point, the long term is irrelevant, if you can't survive the short term.
You can dream all you want, but the rain soaking your cardboard box and the empty rumbles of your stomach tend to take priority.
There is nothing wrong with dreaming big, rather it's how you achieve those dreams. Saving for a dream car. Fine. Taking out loans you know you can never repay. Not fine.
Great stuff Kiersten. Understanding the difference between wanting something and needing something has really been lost over the last decade or so hasn't it.
In fact--separate but related--I sometimes wonder whether this blurred line is what drives some of the workplace conflicts between GenY, GenX, and the Boomers. Each generation has its "needs" and refuses to (a) recognize other generations' "needs" and (b) admit that their "needs" are sometimes really just garden variety "wants". (One recent example--there are plenty of others from every generation--is that GenY "needs" to be allowed to browse through Facebook during their workday.)
I say, want whatever the heck you want, and don't be ashamed. But don't kid yourself about it either. Food. Water. Air. Clothing. A safe place to sleep. Those are needs. Tossing around that word too easily is just going to make you sound melodramatic and cause people to suspect your judgment.
I think it's so weird how people dream about having the big, fancy car. They have never had any appeal to me at all.
Yes, some of the smaller cars could use some better features, but I still prefer them to the monster trucks that so many people like.
I think the key to being happy, however, is coming up with dreams that don't depend on "stuff". I'd rather dream of a job where I can do exactly what I'm good at and enjoy, than a fancy set of wheels.
And that's something I can appreciate no matter how high gas prices go.
All I'm saying is: Dream as big as you dare. But don't neglect the daily needs in front of you. Can't pay the rent that's due today, or buy the groceries you need tomorrow with dreams, at least not in any economy I can see.
@Katie--That's a great point. I think once I get the job that I'm good at and enjoy, my dreams start transforming into "stuff". Fluff and stuff are equally rewarding for me.
@JRandom--That's true but you also can't realize the possibility that there's more to work (and life) besides paying rent and buying groceries without dreams.
Paying the rent and buying the groceries make it possible to pursue your dreams.
I've seen too many brilliant people pursuing their dreams, while their families live with others, in shelters or in tents and haunt the soup kitchens and food banks.
@jrandom42 - have you really seen too many brilliant people pursuing their dreams while their families live in poverty and homeless? Really?? That sounds like made-up proof so that you don't have to account for your own not living your dream. The fact is by doing what you think is responsible is sometimes the most irresponsible thing you can do.
I'm living my dream already. Sorry that youi haven't gotten there yet.
Here's my experiences concering what you've noted:
1) College roommate is pursuing his dream of getting rich playing video games. Hasn't gotten there yet. Still working at 7-11 to pay for car, entry fees and equipment. Lives at home with widowed mother at age 50. Still hasn't won any prize money at any of the tournaments he's entered. Cut off contact after he tried to defraud me and my wife of $65,000.
2) Cousin is pursuing his dream of translating medieval Hungarian literature to English. Has multiple advanced degrees in literature, languages and history. Lives in an abandoned trailer on public land. Wife worked 3 jobs to support 2 kids until divorce last year.
3) Sister in law pursuing dream to create new OS. Lives in Tent by river, using a salvaged laptop and pirated wireless connections. Daughter was taken by CPS after she was seen in local soup kitchen 9 months running.
I could go on, but just because YOU haven't seen it, doesn't mean NO ONE has seen it.
I'm sorry, but that really didn't prove your point very well at all. It may for you, but for others reading it, these cases don't appear as people pursuing dreams as much as people acting irresponsibly and selfishly. There's a big difference. The difference is "are these the only ways to have pursued these goals while keeping up on your personal and societal contracts (kids and marriage)?" It's almost like you're saying "my cousin's a drug addict and he's pursuing his dream of getting high all day and its hurting all of us." Just because you quit your day job to pursue your real dream is the opposite of quitting your job when you have two kids, not planning on working somewhere else, but hoping to develop a new computer empire even though you have no experience or equity to do so.
So where is the dividing line?
If pursuing your dream is your abiding passion and it takes the whole focus of your time and energy, what happens to those close to you?
Do you pursue it full time and let your significant other support you? Do you get a 'day job' and pursue it part time?
These are the questions enterprenuers need to answer, and more often than not, never do until they get to a family crisis.
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?