Tom Cruise, whose films have earned $13 billion, reveals the secret to his success: ‘Don’t tell people you have dreams.’ NYU professor agrees

The name Tom Cruise needs no introduction. One of the biggest superstars in the world, he has been the face of many blockbuster films, such as Top Gun, the Mission Impossible franchise, etc. Cruise’s films have earned a staggering $13.3 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing stars of all time. In an interview with GQ, the superstar revealed the secret to his success. The Jerry Maguire star admitted that he had a “secret plan” to have a great career. His strategy? Don’t be a blabbermouth and tell people about your dreams.

“Don’t tell people you have dreams, you know? Sometimes, you have to keep things to yourself,” he explained. The actor said he wrote down his dreams and goals on a board so he would remember them and stuck it to his wall. The actor also said he reflected on his strengths and shortcomings and was confident of his perseverance and impeccable work ethic. “I knew I could work, I am a hard worker… I could outwork anyone.”

He also reflected on how he learned to be polite, as his mother was from Kentucky and was always very respectful of people. He revealed how he was raised to be polite and respectful and to leave something better. He said they once lived in rented houses, and he was taught to ensure the room was nicer when they left the home.

Science Backed Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Talk About Your Goals

According to an article published in Atlassian magazine which cited the findings of Peter Gollwitzer, professor of psychology at New York University, sharing your dreams publicly can affect your determination and make you less likely to work to achieve it. When someone recognises your identity goal – that social recognition will feel like an award causing you to be less focused on achieving your goals.

In 2011, Ayelet Fishbach, a professor at the University of Chicago, examined earlier research and conducted additional experiments to understand how positive and negative feedback influence goal pursuit. Her findings revealed that the impact of positive feedback depends on how people interpret it.

When praise reinforces their commitment to achieving a goal, it strengthens their motivation. However, when positive feedback indicates that they have already made considerable progress, it can reduce their drive to continue working towards the same objective. The researchers concluded that people who are just starting to pursue a goal tend to focus on assessing their dedication to it. Receiving encouraging feedback reassures them of their commitment, making them more likely to remain motivated and persist in their efforts.

Telling people about your dreams has other setbacks as well. A University of Pennsylvania research found that the hint of competition can kill all ambition for many people.