“Just Do It” went from being simply the slogan for Nike in 2015 when Hollywood wildcard Shia LaBeouf posted a motivational video of himself in front of a green screen on the Internet. In all of his vaguely homeless glory, he exclaimed generic motivational phrases like “don’t let your dreams be dreams,” “if you’re tired of starting over then stop giving up,” and of course, the now famous “do it!” As funny as the video is, the ferocity with which LaBeouf delivered the lines gave many who viewed it, myself included, a strange desire to follow his advice.
All of the comedic aspects, and endless Vine parodies, of the video aside, and as vague and cliché as those phrases may be, they are still true. Cliché is often just honesty wrapped in repetition, but that doesn’t mean that sometimes cliché isn’t exactly what we need. Why else would romantic comedies and over-the-top romance movies do so well at the box office? We love cliché.
It is very easy to fall into a routine. Eat, work, sleep and repeat. We often set our goals and aspirations aside to pursue a life of comfort. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting a steady foundation to build a life on, but there is too much in life just waiting to be experienced to settle for just a comfortable existence. The world is meant to be explored and experienced, and this is where Shia hit the nail on the rat-tailed head: don’t let your dreams be dreams.
That may sound like the kind of thing that would see on a poster at Wal-Mart to hang on the wall of your office, and it very well may be, but if you really think about it, it’s pretty sound advice. When you are a kid, the world is your metaphorical oyster. You have limitless imagination, and the energy to go with it. It is only as we grow older, and feel the burdens of the adult world, that we slowly lose that child-like sense of wonder. We stop seeing our dreams as possibilities like we once did.
Some dreams may have been incredibly outlandish, sure, but that doesn’t mean that all of them were. While some may have dreamed about being a parent since they could form the sounds for “mom and dad” as an infant, there is nothing wrong with following that path if that’s your dream. Others may have dreamed about making a living making music, and there are plenty of people who certainly have done just that. What did they all have in common? They didn’t stop believing in their dreams, and more importantly, they didn’t stop believing in themselves. They did not stop relentlessly chasing what they wanted when other people told them that they would never make it. I’m sure plenty of people told Adele to “think of a practical job to pursue.” But look at her now. She is saying “Hello” to all of us from the top of a giant pile of money that she earned from following her dreams.
Now this is not to say that everyone who wants to be a famous musician will make it. A certain number of stars have to align to make it in music, or acting, or anything really. But what’s the harm in trying? You can either live your life wondering what could be, or you can live your life trying your hardest to find out. What’s the harm? If you make it, great! If you didn’t achieve your dream, oh well! At least you tried. That’s more than most people can say. You came out on the other side, hurt, maybe, but stronger nonetheless.
And don’t listen to people when they tell you that you can’t do something. Now, sometimes it may be very true that you can’t do something. You can’t fly on your own, so don’t jump off a bridge and expect to Superman yourself to safety. Unless your dream is an ambulance ride to your local hospital, no dreams are going to come true there. But if you want to be a musician, try your hardest. Do everything you possibly can to make that your reality. If you want to be an actor, do the same. Same goes to anything, really. People too weak to follow their own dreams will almost always find a way to discourage yours. Be smart enough to know the difference between someone trying to put you down, and someone who is genuinely looking out for your best interests.
So take Shia’s advice. Fight like hell to make your dreams a reality. Pick yourself up when you fall. Never doubt yourself. Strive for greatness in everything. Don’t let your dreams be dreams. Do it!
