Working on a Dream

by Paige Webb

Do you know who “The Boss” is? Well, my boss is Christina Randle, but does Bruce Springsteen ring a bell for you? The famous singer/songwriter is making a comeback… Or did he ever leave the scene? With the latest release of an album, an appearance at the Super Bowl, and the headlining act at an inaugural party, he’s around every corner. Not only can I not get the song “Working on a Dream” out of my head, I cannot help but think about those words and the meaning behind the song.

The last time I heard the tune on the radio was this morning as I was sitting in traffic. Why was I in rainy, cloudy, dark, 7 a.m. traffic? When clouds and a sea of brake lights bring my spirit down and I get the overwhelming desire to exit the freeway, turn around, and go back to bed, what keeps me driving forward? Is it a beckoning cubicle, a laptop with the connection to the world at my fingertips, or just a paycheck? I’d like to think there is larger meaning to why I do my job and commit 40+ hours a week to it. After all, I’m part of this thing called the human race, hoping for prosperity as an individual and for my family in the present time and for the future. I’m working on a dream.

At the root of the big picture and the larger meaning…this dream I have, is to make a difference in the lives of people who have lost a little faith in processes and how we manage our day-to-day business. Brightening the light at the end of the tunnel of work/life balance is not always easy. As I hum along to the chorus, I find that Bruce wrote this song like a love song, so, why not put some heart into this? Each day, new life experiences shape the messages I share as a trainer, or otherwise, I’d get tired of sharing the same stories. A reflection on a lesson learned or a celebration worth sharing are not special just because they’re mine, but they are a means to connect and to relate. I’m not the only person with a dream!

Each of us as individuals is in control of the path we take towards our dreams. The little changes we make in the name of progress and productivity can add up to make a big difference. Dreams can become a reality when your life is in your control. I don’t know that I’d put anyone else at the helm of the ship I’m sailing. “The Boss” sings “…hands are rough from working on a dream,” and I’ll admit there have been some choppy seas on my path, but persistence really pays. Rough hands and all, positive evidence of our efforts surrounds us—in our relationships, in our homes, and in our communities. This results in a sense of peace when we go to sleep at night and as we wake up to face the day to follow our dreams. Each day, we do our best.