Anyone chasing and eventually achieving a dream faces what I call the “Idiot/Genius” syndrome with the people around them. One of Chris Pratt’s recent Instagram posts made me think of this (below).
In short: All those crazy things you do NOW – the things you go without, the dream you try to describe that nobody understands, forgoing money and everything else that people wonder about and say you shouldn’t do – become the exact same things LATER that people will say you’re a genius for having done.
“That’s just crazy…” becomes “You’ve always been a visonary!”
“I don’t get you…” becomes “I always knew you’d make it!”
The list goes on. Just want to share that with any other crazy people out there for those days when you wonder why you’re doing what you’re doing and for those times when you’re looking for that extra nudge, support and a smile or two along the way.
Here’s the copy from that Chris Pratt post I mentioned:
“It’s 3:20am. I got picked up for work at 6:45am yesterday. I’m not good with math, especially after being up for approximately 61 hours but I think I’ve been up for over 77 hours. I did a table read for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 this morning and then shot all day on Passengers and just now wrapped some 144 hours later. Weirdly both films, which I’ll be shooting back to back, are being shot in Atlanta at Pinewood studios. We have the best crew. Total rock stars busting their asses. And the stuff we’re shooting. My God. I can’t wait for you to see it. I go back in in about 8 hours to do more. I am doing what I love. It doesn’t feel like work. Even though it is. I’m having fun. I’m overcome with joy and gratitude. I felt like posting this to say to anyone out there chasing your dream… Fifteen years ago I felt the same passion I feel today, but I had very little opportunity. I had to hustle hard and go hungry. I had to eat sardines and figure out how to get gas money. And I never had a plan B. I never stopped believing. Ever. Don’t give up. Apply constant pressure for as long as it takes. It will break before you do. Go get it.”
