Let’s talk about the Dreamer.
You’ve met this person. Hell, at some point, you’ve probably been this person (I sure have). The Dreamer is everywhere: at your office, in your family, on your group chat, in that Reddit thread full of “someday millionaires.” The Dreamer is the person with big plans, big ideas, and a huge imagination about what their life could look like.
“One day, I’m going to start my own business.”
“I’m just waiting for the right time to invest.”
“I’m going to travel the world after I get my finances sorted.”
Sound familiar? These people aren’t stupid. In fact, Dreamers are often some of the most intelligent and creative people in the room. They read, they research, they know what’s possible. They watch YouTube videos about FIRE and index funds and side hustles.
But here’s the kicker: Dreamers rarely do anything.
What’s Really Going On?
Let’s get honest. The Dreamer’s real problem isn’t a lack of knowledge. In 2025, we’re all drowning in knowledge. If information were enough, we’d all be millionaires with six-packs.
No, the Dreamer’s real problem is the gap between intention and action.
Dreamers love to imagine the future, but they hate to deal with the discomfort of the present. Why start a side hustle now, when it’s easier to imagine the perfect business you’ll launch once you have more time? Why automate your savings today, when it’s more fun to imagine the day you’ll max out your 401(k)?
Dreamers crave certainty and approval before they start. They want someone—maybe me, maybe their parents, maybe “the market”—to give them a permission slip. “You’ve done enough research! Now you’re ready!”
But that day never comes.
The Trap of “If Only…”
“If only I had more time…”
“If only I had a better job…”
“If only the market were different…”
These are the Dreamer’s favorite mantras. They feel productive—like you’re planning for the future. But really, you’re stuck in neutral. You’re just spinning your wheels, rationalizing why you can’t start.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: there will never be a perfect time. There will never be a day when all the stars align and you feel 100% ready. Life does not give out permission slips.
How to Stop Dreaming and Start Doing
Look, dreaming is easy. It’s safe. But the only difference between a Dreamer and a Doer is action. Tiny, unsexy, imperfect action.
So here’s what I want you to do if you recognize even a little bit of Dreamer in yourself:
1. Pick One Small Thing and Do It
Not “plan it.” Not “research it.” Not “talk about it on Reddit.” Do it. Open the savings account. Automate $50 a month. Email that potential client. Apply to that job.
2. Embrace Imperfection
You will not be ready. It will not be perfect. You will make mistakes. Do it anyway.
3. Track Real Progress, Not Fantasy Progress
Stop measuring your progress in how much you think about your goals. Start measuring it by real-world actions. Did you move $50 into your Roth IRA, or did you just read three articles about how to pick a good Roth IRA provider?
4. Get Real Feedback
Don’t just keep your dreams in your head where no one can poke holes in them. Put your work out there. Ask for feedback. Yes, it’s scary. Yes, you might get criticism. That’s called growth.
The Dreamer’s Dilemma
The Dreamer is a lovable archetype. They keep hope alive. They keep possibility on the table. But you know what’s better than a Dreamer?
A Builder.
A Doer.
Someone who’s willing to act before they feel ready.
The harsh truth? No one is coming to rescue you from your own fantasies. If you want the life you’ve imagined, you have to start—right now, with whatever you have, wherever you are.
And if you need a little push, here it is:
Stop dreaming. Start doing. The future isn’t built on intention. It’s built on action. And it starts today.