Vision vs. Dream — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 30, 2024
Vision is a clear, strategic plan for the future, grounded in reality and action, whereas a dream is a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep or a lofty aspiration.
Difference Between Vision and Dream
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Visions are detailed and purposeful strategies or ideas that individuals or organizations formulate with the intent of achieving specific future outcomes. They are typically grounded in reality, with a clear path towards realization, involving goals and actionable steps. Dreams, on the other hand, often refer to the experiences we have while sleeping—uncontrolled, vivid experiences that occur in our minds. Alternatively, when not referring to sleep, dreams can also denote aspirations or desires that are not yet grounded in a plan of action, sometimes perceived as less tangible or immediate than visions.
While a vision is usually associated with a certain level of planning and intentionality, aiming for tangible results within a realistic framework, dreams may not always lead to actionable steps. Dreams can be fantastical or idealistic, serving more as a source of inspiration or motivation rather than a concrete plan to be implemented. On the other hand, visions are practical, designed to guide actions and decisions towards achieving a specific future.
Visions often come with a sense of responsibility and require commitment to turn them into reality. They are about leadership and direction, providing a roadmap for where an individual or an organization wants to go. Dreams, while they can inspire visions, are more about personal desires and the subconscious mind, often not bound by the practicalities or limitations of reality.
In the context of personal development or business, having a vision is crucial for setting a direction and making progress. It involves understanding the current situation, identifying desired future states, and planning practical steps to get there. Dreams, while important for fostering creativity and ambition, need to be refined and grounded in reality to evolve into visions.
The relationship between dreams and visions can be complementary. Dreams can spark the initial inspiration or desire for change, serving as a catalyst for the development of a more concrete vision. In turn, a well-defined vision can guide the transformation of abstract dreams into achievable goals, bridging the gap between aspiration and reality.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Strategic plan with clear, actionable steps.
A series of thoughts or images occurring during sleep or an aspiration.
Grounding
Based in reality, aiming for achievable outcomes.
May be fantastical or not immediately actionable.
Purpose
To guide actions towards a specific future outcome.
To inspire or entertain; may also form the basis of aspirations.
Implementation
Involves concrete steps and commitment.
May not involve a plan or specific steps without further refinement.
Associated with
Leadership, goal setting, and strategic planning.
Personal desires, creativity, and the subconscious mind.
Compare with Definitions
Vision
A strategic plan aimed at achieving a future goal.
The company's vision is to become the leading provider of renewable energy.
Dream
A series of thoughts or images experienced during sleep.
Last night, I had a dream about flying.
Vision
Guides decision-making and progress.
The project's vision kept the team focused and motivated.
Dream
An aspiration or lofty goal.
His dream is to climb Mount Everest.
Vision
Often involves leadership and direction.
His vision led the team to achieve unprecedented success.
Dream
Source of inspiration or motivation.
Her dream of becoming a chef drove her to culinary school.
Vision
Grounded in practical steps and realism.
Her vision for the community garden included detailed plans and funding sources.
Dream
Can be fantastical and beyond current reality.
In her dream, she spoke with animals.
Vision
Requires action and commitment.
Realizing her vision for the nonprofit required years of dedication.
Dream
May require refinement to become actionable.
Turning his dream into a business required careful planning and execution.
Vision
The faculty of sight; eyesight
Poor vision.
Dream
A dream is a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. The content and function of dreams are not fully understood, although they have been a topic of scientific, philosophical and religious interest throughout recorded history.
Vision
Something that is or has been seen.
Dream
A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep
I had a recurrent dream about falling from great heights
Vision
Unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight
A leader of vision.
Dream
A cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal
I fulfilled a childhood dream when I became champion
Vision
The manner in which one sees or conceives of something.
Dream
Experience dreams during sleep
I dreamed about her last night
Vision
A mental image produced by the imagination.
Dream
Indulge in daydreams or fantasies about something greatly desired
She had dreamed of a trip to America
Vision
The mystical experience of seeing something that is not in fact present to the eye or is supernatural.
Dream
Contemplate the possibility of doing something or that something might be the case
I wouldn't dream of foisting myself on you
I never dreamed anyone would take offence
Vision
A person or thing of extraordinary beauty.
Dream
A series of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations occurring involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.
Vision
To see in a vision.
Dream
A daydream; a reverie.
Vision
To picture in the mind; envision.
Dream
A state of abstraction; a trance
Wandering around in a dream.
Vision
(uncountable) The sense or ability of sight.
Dream
A condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration
A dream of owning their own business.
Vision
(countable) Something seen; an object perceived visually.
Dream
A wild fancy or unrealistic hope
He knew that playing for a professional team was only a dream.
Vision
(countable) Something imaginary one thinks one sees.
He tried drinking from the pool of water, but realized it was only a vision.
Dream
(Informal) One that is exceptionally gratifying, excellent, or beautiful
Her boyfriend is a dream.
Vision
Something unreal or imaginary; a creation of fancy.
Dream
To experience a dream in sleep
Dreamed of meeting an old friend.
Vision
(countable) An ideal or a goal toward which one aspires.
He worked tirelessly toward his vision of world peace.
Dream
To daydream
Sat there dreaming during class.
Vision
(countable) A religious or mystical experience of a supernatural appearance.
He had a vision of the Virgin Mary.
Dream
To have a deep aspiration or hope
Dreaming of a world at peace.
Vision
(countable) A person or thing of extraordinary beauty.
Dream
To regard something as feasible or practical
I wouldn't dream of skiing on icy slopes.
Vision
(uncountable) Pre-recorded film or tape; footage.
Dream
To experience a dream of while asleep
Did it storm last night, or did I dream it?.
Vision
(transitive) To imagine something as if it were to be true.
Dream
To conceive as possible; imagine
We never dreamed it would snow so much.
Vision
(transitive) To present as in a vision.
Dream
To have as an aspiration or hope
She dreams that she will become a pilot.
Vision
(transitive) To provide with a vision. en
Dream
To pass (time) idly or in reverie.
Vision
The act of seeing external objects; actual sight.
Faith here is turned into vision there.
Dream
Imaginary events seen in the mind while sleeping.
Have a dream
Scary dream
Vivid dream
Erotic dream
Feel like a dream
Be in a dream
Vision
The faculty of seeing; sight; one of the five senses, by which colors and the physical qualities of external objects are appreciated as a result of the stimulating action of light on the sensitive retina, an expansion of the optic nerve.
Dream
(figurative) A hope or wish.
Have a dream
Fulfil a dream
Harbour a dream
Realize a dream
Vision
That which is seen; an object of sight.
Dream
A visionary scheme; a wild conceit; an idle fancy.
A dream of bliss
The dream of his youth
Live in a dream
Wake up from a dream
Impossible dream
Vision
Especially, that which is seen otherwise than by the ordinary sight, or the rational eye; a supernatural, prophetic, or imaginary sight; an apparition; a phantom; a specter; as, the visions of Isaiah.
The baseless fabric of this vision.
No dreams, but visions strange.
Dream
(intransitive) To see imaginary events in one's mind while sleeping.
Vision
Hence, something unreal or imaginary; a creation of fancy.
Dream
(intransitive) To hope, to wish.
Vision
To see in a vision; to dream.
For them no visioned terrors daunt,Their nights no fancied specters haunt.
Dream
(intransitive) To daydream.
Stop dreaming and get back to work.
Vision
A vivid mental image;
He had a vision of his own death
Dream
(transitive) To envision as an imaginary experience (usually when asleep).
I dreamed I was a superhero and flew through a fireworks show.
Vision
The ability to see; the faculty of vision
Dream
(intransitive) To consider the possibility (of).
I wouldn't dream of snubbing you in public.
Vision
The perceptual experience of seeing;
The runners emerged from the trees into his clear vision
He had a visual sensation of intense light
Dream
Ideal; perfect.
Vision
The formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses;
Popular imagination created a world of demons
Imagination reveals what the world could be
Dream
The thoughts, or series of thoughts, or imaginary transactions, which occupy the mind during sleep; a sleeping vision.
Dreams are but interludes which fancy makes.
I had a dream which was not all a dream.
Vision
A religious or mystical experience of a supernatural appearance;
He had a vision of the Virgin Mary
Dream
A visionary scheme; a wild conceit; an idle fancy; a vagary; a revery; - in this sense, applied to an imaginary or anticipated state of happiness; as, a dream of bliss; the dream of his youth.
There sober thought pursued the amusing theme,Till Fancy colored it and formed a dream.
It is not them a mere dream, but a very real aim which they propose.
Dream
To have ideas or images in the mind while in the state of sleep; to experience sleeping visions; - often with of; as, to dream of a battle, or of an absent friend.
Dream
To let the mind run on in idle revery or vagary; to anticipate vaguely as a coming and happy reality; to have a visionary notion or idea; to imagine.
Here may we sit and dreamOver the heavenly theme
They dream on in a constant course of reading, but not digesting
Dream
To have a dream of; to see, or have a vision of, in sleep, or in idle fancy; - often followed by an objective clause.
Your old men shall dream dreams
At length in sleep their bodies they compose,And dreamt the future fight
And still they dream that they shall still succeed
Dream
A series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep;
I had a dream about you last night
Dream
A cherished desire;
His ambition is to own his own business
Dream
Imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake;
He lives in a dream that has nothing to do with reality
Dream
A fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe);
I have this pipe dream about being emperor of the universe
Dream
A state of mind characterized by abstraction and release from reality;
He went about his work as if in a dream
Dream
Someone of something wonderful;
This dessert is a dream
Dream
Have a daydream; indulge in a fantasy
Dream
Experience while sleeping;
She claims to never dream
He dreamt a strange scene
Common Curiosities
Can a dream become a vision?
Yes, with refinement and strategic planning, a dream can evolve into a vision.
What is the key difference between a vision and a dream?
A vision is a clear, actionable plan for the future, while a dream can be an experience during sleep or an ungrounded aspiration.
Do visions change over time?
Visions can evolve as circumstances change or as further clarity is gained, reflecting new goals or realities.
Why is having a vision important?
A vision provides direction and motivation, guiding individuals or organizations towards achieving their goals.
Is it possible to have multiple visions?
Yes, individuals or organizations can have multiple visions, each pertaining to different aspects of their goals or operations.
How do visions impact decision-making?
Visions guide decision-making by providing a framework within which choices are made to advance towards the desired future state.
Can a vision be too ambitious?
While ambition is crucial, a vision should be realistic and achievable to serve as an effective guide.
What is the importance of aligning actions with a vision?
Aligning actions with a vision ensures consistent progress towards the desired future, maximizing the chances of success.
Are dreams always unrealistic?
Not always; dreams can be ambitious yet achievable aspirations, although they may require practical steps to become reality.
How can someone turn a dream into a vision?
By identifying actionable steps, setting realistic goals, and committing to a plan of action, a dream can be transformed into a vision.
How can individuals keep their vision alive?
By regularly reviewing their vision, adapting to new information, and maintaining commitment to their goals, individuals can keep their vision alive and relevant.
What role do dreams play in creativity?
Dreams can be a rich source of creative inspiration, fostering innovation and new ideas.
How do organizations communicate their visions?
Organizations typically communicate their visions through mission statements, strategic plans, and leadership communications.
Can dreams reveal desires or fears?
Yes, dreams can reflect personal desires, fears, and the subconscious mind's workings.
Why might a vision fail to be realized?
A vision might fail due to unrealistic goals, lack of commitment, insufficient resources, or external challenges.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
