Why You Should Keep Your Dreams to Yourself

Five simple reasons why it’s good to tuck those goals away

Photo by Adolfo Félix on Unsplash

Everyday millions of us have ideas, goals or dreams that we race to share with others. Before we know it, half the people in our lives know what our business is. And with social media in this digital age, sharing our plans is easier than ever — sometimes required, most times expected.

I’m also extremely guilty of this. Lately, however, I’ve realized the benefits in quietly keeping my dreams to myself. Here’s five reasons why it would be good for you too.

1. No one can steal it from you. When you keep your dream to yourself, you can fly happily under the radar. You can focus solely on your own progress, and you won’t have to compare yourself to anyone who does it after.
2. You unconsciously stop seeking their approval. You start to really understand that the only approval you need is your own. Plus, each goal you hit and achievement you make will build its own confidence within you.
3. You will less feel pressured to perform. With less eyes and ears on your work, you can work in a more relaxed state knowing there isn’t an audience waiting for your first move. Your mental health will be less vulnerable to anxiety, doubt and the idea of impostor syndrome.
4. Similar to the previous one, Gollwitzer and his colleagues at NYU suggested that the premature praise we get from people (and not the process itself) makes us less likely to achieve the goals we publicly announce. When no one knows what your goals are, you can be more self-motivated to do them. You can avoid self-sabotaging your goals before they even get off the ground.
5. Finally, you will be free of judgement and the opinion of others. They might mean well, and you might mean well, but no one will see your dreams the way that you see them. You can work on your dreams in a critic-free environment and take all the risks and leaps you want.

So, if you want to live a healthier and more confident life, you should keep your business to yourself. Learn your own lessons and take pride in yourself no matter how long the process may take.

Because when it’s done, no one will be asking you why you did do it, but how you did.