What makes this observation surprising is its focus on *possibility* rather than achievement—Coelho suggests we're animated not by the dream itself, but by our belief that it might actually happen. A person content with their job doesn't suddenly find it fascinating because they achieve their five-year plan; they find it bearable because they suspect promotion, a different role, or an unexpected opportunity remains within reach. The moment we stop believing anything could change, even the most dramatic life becomes tedious, which is why captive people in unchanging circumstances often describe a particular kind of deadness. He's saying that hope isn't a luxury—it's the very thing that keeps us awake.