Somewhere along the way, we lost the ability to dream
Somewhere along the way, something changed. We stopped dreaming the way we once did. When we were children, the world felt open and full of possibilities. We could see our potential so clearly. Becoming a firefighter, a doctor, or an astronaut felt within reach. Not because those paths were easy, but because they felt possible. We believed in our future selves without hesitation. Failure didn’t scare us. When we fell off the bike, we got back up. We were frustrated, yes, but we tried again. We didn’t question whether we were worthy of learning how to ride. We simply believed it was a matter of time.As adults, something shifted. We became smarter, more practical, and more careful. We learned to navigate opinions, expectations, and social pressure. Slowly, almost invisibly, our dreams began to shrink. They started to fit neatly inside the boxes that other people drew for us. Potential didn’t disappear. It simply faded into the background. It became quieter. It turned into a gentle pull toward something bigger, something we could become if resistance didn’t hold us back.Resistance is real.It shows up as doubt. It shows up as fear of judgment. It shows up as subtle pressure to play small. And for many people, this resistance becomes stronger than their vision. It is what keeps us from starting, from risking, from stepping forward. We tell ourselves stories about why now is not the right time, why others are more capable, or why the dream is unrealistic. But none of that is about our actual potential. It is the voice of resistance doing its job.Vision & LeadershipThis is exactly where leadership comes in. Vision and mission are not just fancy words used in corporate meetings. They are the foundation of real leadership. They are about projecting a future version of yourself or your team that does not exist yet and believing in it deeply enough to make it real. That is what children do naturally when they dream. Leaders need to relearn that skill. Because leadership, at its core, is not about control. It is about seeing something that others cannot see yet and choosing to walk toward it anyway.Great leaders do not lose their ability to dream. They protect it. They nurture it. They hold a vision even when nobody else believes in it. They give shape to potential, first within themselves, then for the people around them. They turn something invisible into something tangible. And that is why reconnecting with your potential is not a nice-to-have. It is a leadership discipline. You cannot lead anyone toward a future you cannot imagine yourself.If you want to lead, you need to dream again, not with the naive certainty of a child, but with the clarity and courage of someone who understands resistance and chooses to act anyway. Vision is the spark. Mission is the path. Leadership begins when you dare to reclaim the part of yourself that still believes something bigger is possible. Because if you cannot imagine it, no one will follow you there.— Adrian This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.adrianstanek.dev/subscribe
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