I have a young daughter who has learned that birthdays and Christmas are her best chances for securing presents. Throughout the year as she sees advertisements on TV or online or when we make the mistake of passing the toy section while shopping, she proceeds to tell me everything she wants. It’s nice to not have the problem of wondering what she’ll like. On the other hand she seems to like just about everything, enticed by the idealized commercials and shiny packages. I wonder if she really knows what she wants.

Many entrepreneurs have this same problem. No, not the pretty princess doll with matching outfit and make-up kit. Entrepreneurs want the next Facebook or Google. They insist they want to create a life-changing company that is going to be huge and make them obscene amounts of money so they can be on the cover of the popular press. Oh, and they want to do it all within a year.

Now there isn’t anything wrong with that, but as entrepreneurs attempt to create their happily-ever-after, the realities of what it will take cause a few second thoughts. These second thoughts may come when they realize that while they just wanted to make money they really aren’t that passionate about what the company does or how the customer wants it packaged. It may come when they try to raise capital and come to understand that money comes with new partners that want a say in how that money is spent and who now own the majority of the life-changing company. Or it may be that the entrepreneur really loves what they do but don’t really want to become this huge publically traded company with all the extra meetings and compliance paperwork.

I’m not trying to be the Santa in The Christmas Story that tells you you’ll shoot your eye out with a new BB gun while nudging you down the slide to your parents. By all means, dream big, change the world — but only if you want to. Decide what you really want (besides money) out of this quest you’re embarking on. Is it freedom to make your own choices or to make a difference? Do you need a large billion dollar corporation to achieve that or can you make that dream a reality with a million dollar small business?

Knowing what you value and what you are willing to do will make things a lot easier and in the end will be the key to having your own happily-ever-after. The tiara is optional, of course.