An Entrepreneur's American Dream in 5 Quotes

Today, it's more about working for yourself than white picket fences.

learn more about John Rampton

By John Rampton

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The concept of the American Dream hasn't actually been around all that long. James Truslow Adams, writer and historian, coined the phrase in the 1931 book, The Epic of America. According to Adams, the dream is of:

"...a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement...regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

Related: How a Former Denny's Waitress Amassed an Empire of Over 75 Denny's Locations

Adams's book was published eight years before the beginning of World War II, but it wasn't until the war ended that his idea really took off -- but the meaning shifted. In the 1950s, the American Dream was all about home ownership (thanks to the GI Bill) and white picket fences.

Today, for many Americans, it means owning your own business. Being an entrepreneur. Working for yourself.

Here, a few famous quotes about the American Dream -- in all its varieties -- to help the big dreamers keep moving forward.

"A college degree is the key to realizing the American Dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity."

The key words in Dan Rather's quote are "supposed to." While some entrepreneurs partially credit their college degrees to their successes, others may never get their degrees.

"Our workforce and our entire economy are strongest when we embrace diversity to its fullest, and that means opening doors of opportunity to everyone and recognizing that the American Dream excludes no one."

Diversity, mentioned in Thomas Perez's quote, is key in both building your financial portfolio and your business -- it doesn't have to mean racial, socio-economic, gender or ethnic diversity alone.

"The negative side of the American Dream comes when people pursue success at any cost, which in turn destroys the vision and the dream."

Azar Nafisi is right, but success at any cost can also destroy lives and relationships outside of business. If an entrepreneur sacrifices their family, passions, hobbies and health to make that dream come true, is it worth it? In the end, most people will say no.

Related: Why Americans Love Small Business

"People are so busy dreaming the American Dream, fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be, that they're all asleep at the switch. Consequently we are living in the Age of Human Error."

Very few people are 100 percent doers or 100 percent dreamers -- most of us fall somewhere on the spectrum. However, when you entertain only the dreamer side, as in Florence King's quote, that dream will never come to fruition.

"You see, without hard work and responsibility, there is no American Dream. Hard work lays the foundation. Our solidarity makes work pay, for all of us. For the greater good. That's what our vision of shared prosperity is all about."

Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts or guarantees when it comes to entrepreneurship, as pointed out in Richard Trumka's quote. Hard work is a requirement, and yet it remains one of the most difficult to stick with.

Don't let the "dream" aspect of your own American Dream overtake. Goals are good, but they're just the blueprint. Without action and doses of reality, your American "Dream" will stay just that.

Related: Papa John's Founder: 'I Am the American Dream'

John Rampton

Entrepreneur Leadership Network VIP

Entrepreneur and Connector

John Rampton is an entrepreneur, investor and startup enthusiast. He is the founder of the calendar productivity tool Calendar.

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

The Dark Side of Pay Transparency — And What to Do If You Find Out You're Being Underpaid
Thinking of a Career Change? Here Are 4 Steps You Can Take to Get There.
A Founder Who Bootstrapped Her Jewelry Business With Just $1,000 Now Sees 7-Figure Revenue Because She Knew Something About Her Customers Nobody Else Did
Everything You Need to Know About Franchise Law
Starting a Business

90% of Online Businesses Fail in Just 4 Months. You Can Avoid the Same Fate By Using These Strategies.

It's not catastrophizing when we think about potential failure; it's in fact a chance for any business to precisely see any outcome and prepare in advance.

Real Estate

4 Essentials for Selecting the Perfect Business Real Estate

Marketing for retail, restaurant or other site-critical companies should always begin with meticulously chosen sites: Time-tested ways of picking a winner.

Business News

'Crying Northwestern Kid' Turned His Viral Fan Moment Into a Successful Harvard Admissions Essay. He Says the Experience Taught Him About Empathy.

Six years ago, Phillips was watching No. 8 Northwestern take on No. 1 Gonzaga during March Madness when he became a meme.

Business News

A Scammer Posing as Elon Musk Tricked a Florida Principal into Sending $100K in School Funds: 'I Fell for a Scam'

Dr. Jan McGee has since resigned as principal of Burns Science and Technology Charter in Oak Hill, Florida.

Marketing

What Is a Brand Personality? Here's How to Develop One.

Connect with your audience on a deeper level by giving and cultivating your brand a personality. Read here how to do so.