There’s a huge gap between pursuing your dreams and ignoring them.

This difference boils down to habits. Ignoring your dreams often involves falling into routines that deter you from your true passions.

On the flip side, chasing your dreams is about consciously building habits that bring you closer to what sets your heart ablaze.

Now, it’s not always easy to identify these dream-dampening habits. But, with the right guidance, you can pinpoint and eliminate them from your life.

In this article, I’ll share nine common habits of people who are inadvertently turning their back on their dreams. These habits might be hard to hear, but they’re important to call out. So, are you ready for some truth bombs?

1) Ignoring inspiration

We all have moments of inspiration that light a spark in us. But, do you fan that flame or do you let it die out?

Ignoring these sparks is a common habit among those who have turned their back on their dreams. It’s easy to dismiss these moments as fleeting or impractical.

But the truth is, these sparks often point us towards our true passions. They are signals from our heart, indicating what we truly desire.

So, instead of brushing these moments off, we should be embracing them. We should be using them as stepping stones towards our dreams.

If you’re constantly ignoring your moments of inspiration, you might just be ignoring your dreams too.

And while that’s a hard pill to swallow, acknowledging it is the first step towards change. So ask yourself, are you ignoring your sparks or are you using them to fuel your dreams?

2) Settling for comfort

I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve been guilty of this one more times than I’d like to admit.

You see, there was a time when I was stuck in a job that did not align with my passions. It was comfortable, paid the bills, and was “safe”. But it was a far cry from the dreams I had of being a writer.

I found myself settling for comfort rather than pursuing my passion. The fear of uncertainty and the allure of a stable paycheck kept me tethered to a job that wasn’t fulfilling.

It took a lot of courage and self-reflection to finally break away from that comfort zone.

If you find yourself in a similar situation – choosing comfort over passion – it could be an indicator that you’re turning your back on your dreams. It’s not an easy habit to break, but it’s crucial if you want to live your dreams rather than just dream them.

3) Procrastinating on taking the first step

This is a sneaky habit. We all procrastinate from time to time, but when it comes to pursuing our dreams, procrastination can be a dream killer.

It’s always easier to say “I’ll start tomorrow” instead of taking the plunge today. But here’s the catch – tomorrow never comes.

Did you know that a study by psychologist Piers Steel found that around 20% of people are chronic procrastinators? These folks always delay tasks, even when they know it’s against their best interest.

If you find yourself repeatedly putting off tasks that will bring you closer to your dreams, it might be time to reassess. Procrastination could be a sign that you’re ignoring your passions and dreams. It’s important to recognize this habit and tackle it head-on. Because remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

4) Neglecting personal growth

Personal growth is an integral part of chasing your dreams. Your dreams often require you to acquire new skills, broaden your horizons, and push yourself out of your comfort zone.

However, if you’re ignoring your dreams, you might find yourself neglecting your personal growth. You might be stuck in a routine, doing the same things day in, day out, without any significant learning or development.

You might avoid books, courses, or experiences that could help you grow because they seem too time-consuming or challenging. But in doing so, you’re not just stunting your growth – you’re also turning your back on your dreams.

Recognizing and changing this habit can be a game changer. After all, personal growth isn’t just about achieving our dreams – it’s about becoming the best version of ourselves.

5) Always playing it safe

Risk-taking and dream-chasing often go hand in hand. It’s about stepping into the unknown, not knowing what the outcome might be.

But if you’ve turned your back on your dreams, you’re likely always playing it safe. Maybe you’re sticking to the tried-and-true methods, or perhaps you’re avoiding new opportunities because they carry a degree of risk.

While playing it safe can keep you comfortable, it also keeps you stagnant. It hinders your growth and prevents you from exploring possibilities that could lead you closer to your dreams.

So if you find yourself consistently choosing safety over risk, it might be a sign that you’re ignoring your passions. Remember, the biggest risk is not taking any risk at all. Sometimes, you just have to take the leap.

6) Dismissing your dreams as unattainable

This one hits close to home for many of us. How often have we looked at our dreams and thought, “That’s impossible”?

We tend to put our dreams on a pedestal, viewing them as something unattainable. We convince ourselves that they’re too big, too ambitious, or too unrealistic.

But let me tell you something – no dream is unattainable. Yes, it might be challenging. Sure, it will take time, effort, and a whole lot of determination. But it’s not impossible.

When we dismiss our dreams as unattainable, we’re essentially giving up on them before even trying. And that’s one of the biggest mistakes we can make.

Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t underestimate your potential. You are capable of achieving your dreams, but you have to believe in them first. After all, dreams are the seeds of change. Nurture them, and they can grow into realities.

7) Not making time for what matters

I remember a time when my schedule was filled to the brim with work commitments, social engagements, and a myriad of tasks that seemed important. But amidst all this chaos, I realized something was missing.

Despite being busy, I was neglecting my passion for writing. I told myself I didn’t have the time – but the truth was, I wasn’t making the time.

If you’ve turned your back on your dreams, you might be doing the same thing. You might be filling your days with tasks and commitments, leaving no room for your passions.

But here’s a hard truth: if something truly matters to you, you need to make time for it. It’s not about finding time, it’s about creating it.

So take a look at your schedule. Are you making time for what truly matters to you? Or are you busy being busy while your dreams sit on the backburner? It’s a tough question to ask, but an important one nonetheless.

8) Lack of self-belief

Self-belief is a powerful tool when it comes to chasing our dreams. But without it, we can easily find ourselves ignoring those dreams.

You may have a great idea or a burning passion, but if you don’t believe in yourself, you’ll find it hard to take the necessary steps towards your dream. You might question your abilities, doubt your decisions, and ultimately, hold yourself back.

This lack of self-belief can be a silent dream killer, nibbling away at your confidence until you’re left feeling incapable and unworthy of your dreams.

If this sounds familiar, it’s time to shift that mindset. You are capable. You are worthy. And most importantly, you can achieve your dreams – but first, you must believe in yourself.

9) Ignoring your inner voice

At the end of the day, the most telling sign that you’re ignoring your dreams is if you’re ignoring your inner voice. That little voice inside you that whispers your passions, your dreams, your true desires – are you listening to it?

Often, we silence this voice. We let the noise of society, expectations, and fear drown it out. But doing so leads us away from our dreams.

Your inner voice is your compass. It knows what makes you happy, what lights you up, what fills you with purpose. Ignoring it is like refusing to read a map while lost.

Listen to your inner voice. It’s guiding you towards your dreams. Trust it, follow it, and let it lead you to a life that aligns with your passions and dreams.

Final thoughts: It’s about alignment

At the root of all these habits, there lies a fundamental concept – alignment.

Alignment with our authentic self, our true desires, and our deepest dreams. When we are in alignment, we naturally move towards our dreams, breaking past barriers and overcoming obstacles.

On the contrary, when we ignore or suppress our passions, we drift away from this alignment. We adopt habits that keep us stuck, preventing us from realizing our true potential.

The philosopher Thoreau once said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of alignment. It calls for courage, authenticity, and unwavering belief in our dreams.

Look within yourself. Are you in alignment with your dreams? Or have you strayed off-path? Remember, it’s never too late to realign and reignite your passions. After all, this is your journey – make it one worth remembering.