Derek Sivers
from the book “Your Music and People”:

Detailed dreams blind you to new means.

2018-03-18

There’s a fable of a man stuck in a flood. Convinced that God is going to save him, he says no to a passing canoe, boat, and helicopter that offer to help. He dies, and in heaven asks God why He didn’t save him. God says, “I sent you a canoe, a boat, and a helicopter!”

We all have vivid imaginations. We get a goal in our mind and picture the path so clearly. Then it’s hard to stop focusing on that vivid image, to see what else could work.

New technologies make old things easier, and new things possible. That’s why you need to re-evaluate your old dreams to see if new means have come along.

Some actors move to Hollywood hoping to get noticed. Others use every new outlet to make themselves unavoidable.

Some authors are just waiting for a publisher to sign them. Others are getting rich just self-publishing.

You need to distinguish between what is your real goal, and what are the unnecessary details. Don’t let the details distract you from your goal.

For each of your dreams, occasionally ask yourself what the real point is. Then look for a better way to get to that point.

Let go of outdated dreams that keep you from noticing what’s here now.