It is my dream to be a Rock Star and to have my music reach TONS of people. It is my dream to have a sea of fans and people that relate to my music - and that feel what I am trying to say.

However, with each passing year it seems more and more like it won't happen. I realize it might sound a bit over dramatic (seeing as I'm only 21) but, I can't help it.

I'm curious, how do people who have to settle for doing something they "like" or "hate" instead of their dreams, do it? Once you quit "living the dreams" how do you get excited to wake up each morning? How do you do it? Or do you always keep the dream alive, and just not dwell on it?

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Keep it alive, always...

It's too easy to "settle", no matter what aspect of life you're referring to. Settling requires no risks, doesn't require you to take chances...settling is all about avoidance....avoiding failure, avoiding hurt, avoiding disappointment, avoiding change...

The specifics of my goals and dreams may change over the years, but the underlying dream remains constant...

I reckon some people's dream was just never that strong. The ones that stand apart from the crowd are those who would do anything to do what they have to to get there, bloody hard work for most of them.

I have settled for comfort - boring maybe. I take joy from little things, which accumulate after a while to a feeling of content. And some people don't even have that.

Work hard, but stay realistic. I dream myself a lot, and that sometimes prevents me from doing something. Good luck!

im different..i dream the same.expect it woudnt matter if didnt have alot of fans..just a few is okay..i mean its a great feeling to know that my art has inspired or has been enjoyed by some people..and if dosen't work out..hey its a very fun past time while in a state of boredom..do art for the sake of art..not for the adoration of people..fame can bring some unwanted things...
[Edited 1/24/06 21:26pm]

Knowing that I have access to a substantial variety of porn with just the click of the mouse is what gets me 'up' in tne morning. And afternoon.
And evenings.

So you want to be a rock-n-roll star, then listen now to what I say. Just get an electric guitar, take some time and learn how to play...

I was down at the new ampsterdam, starring at this yellow haired girl, mister jones stikes up a conversation with a black haired flimico dancer...

change your avie into a pic of your own!

JasonStar said:

Accept your failure, simple as that. You'll get over it and develop other aspirations. My advice would be to get interested in something else than just primarily becoming successful, as in that case you are approaching it from the wrong end. If your dream is to become successful and you realize in order to reach that you'll need to learn to write better material and become better you've already set out quite a miserable lifestyle for yourself even if you managed to make it. 99.5% of young adults who aspire to become professional musicians never become one, and thank God they don't. Just ask yourself first the question "would I buy my own record myself?". If you're brutally honest to yourself and in case you wouldn't, what's the point continuing?

JasonStar said:

Well, reach for your dreams always! But remember, some dreams turn out to be nitemares.
If you are doing something you actually LOVE doing, keep doing it. But if your striving to be "somebody" using what you love to get there, more than likely it's NOT a dream, but rather a fantasy.

keep an open mind and be flexible. be sure that the things you do in life are calculated for personal enjoyment and necessity.

charlottegelin said:

Not boring at all. I totally understand that.

There are LOADS of things I should/could/haven't done in this life. And I haven't stopped dreaming yet. But, in the meantime, my approach is exactly the same as yours.

I could have started this thread. Same dream, same age, same settling problem

One day I realised that while slowly trying to make it come true (or not) I would have to work and make a life for myself in case, so i went to Uni. Im still there. Im fucking sick of it!!! Im gettin itchy feet again - I dont wanna be tied down, or settled down into a career! And then before I know it a family! Yuk. But I guess I matured enough to get myself a backup plan. Aside from that....well, Im in denial. Absolutely and completely. Its not gonna happen, but if I accept that, well, I just couldnt see any point in anything - its all I ever wanted

We'll get there

Good luck to ya

Giving up on your dreams is the very definition of settling.

Are you doing it for fame or because you love making music. There's a big difference. If you really a meant to be a musican the fame won't matter much. Do you watch American Idol? 90% of those people just want to be on People Magazine, not a singer. Most haven't sung since they were made to singing the junior high assembly.
If you love it, people can tell and want to hear you.

Most people settle. It's pretty sad.

I agree with what people have said about doing what you do for the right reasons. Fame and glory is a biproduct, it can never be reached (except if you're Paris Hilton maybe) as a goal in itself.

If you're passionate about what you're doing and prepared to actually do it, I'll tell you this though; something will come out of it eventually. It might not be huge, but the mere existence of the work will start to reach out and grab onto people and events, and if you're lucky it could snowball into something quite big.

One example of a smaller snowball effect:

1) I have always loved movies and used to watch a lot of them.
2)...which got me interested in reading about them so I bought a book with film reviews.
3)...which gave me the idea of writing a few myself just for fun.
4)...which turned out to be very interesting so I kept writing until I had over a thousand of them
5)...which started to make friends and relatives interested, and one of them suggested I put them up on a website
6)...which I did and it started to get a lot of visitors
7)...which led to a couple of film magazines discovering me and offering me a job as a reviewer
8)...which led to a bit of money and some good connections in the film industry
9)...which got me more and more interested in film-making and taught me a lot about it
10)...which made me apply to a film school and I was accepted based on my merits as a film writer and my experiences in the industry
11)...which led to me making a number of short films
12)...which caught the attention of some film producers
13)...with whom I am currently discussing some future projects.

It's not a great success story by any means (in fact, I'm quite frustrated too and sometimes feel like it's going nowhere), but I've come relatively far and who knows where it will end? And it just started with a few handwritten film reviews! Similar things happened with my photography. I just loved taking pictures and - important! - actually took a lot of pictures. I eventually (years later) sold a couple of them to an art gallery and used them to get a job as a journalist, etc.

You see where I'm getting at? Go with your passion and do the work - then things will fall into place in a small way or a big way just because the work is out there! The reason for this is that most people don't do the work. There's simply a shortage of effort being made in the world, and that applies to all levels and all areas.

Just remember two more things: patience and persistence. You have to have a lot of that. If you do, you'll see that more of your dreams will be realized than you ever thought possible!

I guess I did not really "settle" if it means giving your dreams up. I worked in magazines and had my name in print all over the country if that can be counted as some kind of recognition - stroked my ego wherever I go, I see things I have designed.
Next I would like to get my own business up and running, I've already converted the garage to a great work space and just need the kids out of my hair and I can get on with it. That is a dream of mine.
I have written a couple of songs, they may actually get recorded this year! that would be cool!
I would be scared of real actual fame but making a name for myself wouldn't be bad though.

They rationalize ad nauseum, until they believe they don't need/desire what they really do need/desire.

JasonStar said:

It's interesting that you state "ROCK STAR" as your primary aspiration as opposed to the attainment of any associated skill level.
For example, a skilled musician/singer/songwriter/performer.

We all know that currently, a ROCK STAR doesn't necessarily have to be talented at all (i.e. Ashlee Simpson).

Is that what you truly want?
Nothing wrong with that as long as you're being honest with yourself.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

JasonStar said:

at least you have a website, unlike your idol

lilgish said:

hahaha