Yes, dream big and wild
How many times have you felt an overwhelming urge to jot down an idea on the back of a Starbucks napkin? Or to simply talk it through with a friend who’s willing to listen? I can’t count how many times I’ve experienced that; it’s countless. I believe every creative person has those moments when the universe seems to be calling you to create something new, cool, disruptive, and transformative. That’s thrilling and absolutely essential—so keep it up! Don’t let anyone convince you that your ideas are too crazy to matter someday. Out of the 176 ideas you’ve had in the past two years, several will have potential. You only need one to become the vessel that carries your dream and passion while creating sustainable value for the world.
The hardest part of this journey is identifying that one passion project to act on and follow through with. For me, it was an odyssey—searching for that handful of ideas with potential and narrowing it down to THE ONE that was truly worth pursuing. You’ll know when you find it, and trust me, it will all be worth it.
If you’re a founder or aspire to be one, you’re already a dreamer, and I don’t need to teach you how to do that. What I want to emphasize is the importance of not just dreaming about your next pursuit but also dreaming BIG. When I first envisioned what would become GenoPalate, Inc., my goal was to create a way for everyone to test their genetic code for nutritional health. I didn’t confine my dream by market limitations, sales channels, customer segments, or the costs of tests.
I also refused to let concerns about technical challenges—like who would handle legal matters, accounting, software development, and countless other tasks I couldn’t manage myself—dampen my ambition. These are essential issues that must be addressed as you build your vision into reality, but don’t let them limit your dreaming process. When you start asking yourself, “What do I want to spend the next 10 years building, and why?” embrace the opportunity to think expansively.
If you don’t dream big, your reality will inevitably fall short of your potential. So, allow yourself to dream big and wild for your next endeavor. You don’t have many productive years to build something big for yourself, so make it worth your while!
Find those people who can be your anchor
As a founder, I possess a natural ability to create. Whether it’s a new technology, product, or business concept, I’m never short on ideas. While most of these ideas may be “bad,” a select few are worth exploring for their real-world viability. At this stage, it’s crucial to have a system for critically evaluating those “good” ideas with the help of trusted individuals.
Look for people who have subject matter expertise or experience in building parts—or all—of the final product you envision. While your dream may be unique, the fundamentals of making a business or project successful are often rooted in transferable knowledge. These advisors are the key to your vision.
It’s essential that these advisors feel comfortable telling you the truth. The last thing you need is people who know your idea won’t work but shy away from sharing that brutal reality. On my journey, I’ve developed a habit of seeking mentors who can critically assess my ideas; they serve as my anchors. They don’t pull me down from pursuing my dreams; rather, they ensure I carefully evaluate all my good ideas and identify THE ONE that I can pursue without limits.
At last, take your shot
We all dream, and many of us have big dreams, but few manage to bring those dreams to life. The difference between an entrepreneurial mindset and that of a true founder lies in the willingness to take the leap and work hard to establish something from the ground up. If your drive to make your dream come true is strong enough, you can bridge that mental chasm and turn your vision into reality.
Yes, it’s hard, and it can be incredibly frightening. Pursuing your dream often requires breaking away from cherished aspects of your life and career. You may need to part with people you care about or risk disappointing those you least want to let down. Financial hardships and lifestyle changes are likely, and the stress can transform your dreams into nightmares—if you even manage to sleep.
At the core of these challenges is fear: fear that your idea may not be viable, fear that you lack the capability to make it work, and fear that by prioritizing your dream, you are being selfish and failing those you love. The list of fears goes on and on.
Wonder how I know all this? Because I’ve faced every one of those fears—many times over. Still grappling with them, I’ve come to accept that creating new value through my passion project is now part of my identity as a founder. What I want to convey to you is the importance of developing a strategy to confront that doubt and uncertainty.
Take your shot. Only by doing so will you enter a constructive mindset that allows you to face practical challenges head-on and conquer them like a warrior—one by one. You must have nowhere else to escape and a genuine desire to tackle these obstacles with passion.
You’ve dreamed long enough and prepared well; if you give everything you have to this one shot, your chances of success will far outweigh the risk of failure. Remember, winning is not merely a state; it’s the identity of a founder. I believe you have it in you. Take your shot, and you’ll have no regrets when you look back on a long, fulfilling life one day in the future.
