Best selling author, Dr. John Maxwell, challenges you to put your dream to the test and bring it to life in one of his latest book releases, Put Your Dream to the Test. John describes a dream as “an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.”
Five common reasons people have
trouble identifying their dreams include: (1) Some people have been discouraged
from dreaming by others, (2) Some people are hindered by past disappointments
and hurts, (3) Some people get in the habit of settling for average, (4) Some
people lack the confidence needed to pursue their dreams, and (5) Some people
lack the imagination to dream.
If you’ve given up hope, lost sight
of your dream, or never connected with something worth working towards, John
provides a step-by-step action plan that you can start using today to see, own,
and reach your dream.
The Ownership Question:
Is my dream really my dream?
God put a dream inside you. It’s yours and no one else’s.
You cannot live a dream that is not your own. Many young people find themselves
living out the dreams of their parents and
other influential figures in their lives because they are not really sure of
what they are good at. John states, “You will fulfill your dream and live the
life for which God created you only after you figure it out.” Take ownership of
your dream and start believing in your God-given abilities to see it come to
life.
The Clarity Question:
Do I clearly see my dream?
clear and compelling dream has focus. John states, “If you
want to accomplish your dream, you will be able to do so only when you can see
it clearly. You must define it before you can pursue it.” Be willing to
describe your dream in detail. The more clearly you are able to see your dream,
the more clearly you are able to see your purpose. Put your dream to the test
by defining it clearly. Only those who can see their dream can seize their dream.
The Reality Question:
Am I depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream?
Achieving a dream means working hard at it and making sure
it plays to your strengths. Look at yourself realistically. Has your dream and
reality met? Achieving your dreams means facing the reality of your
capabilities and limitations. Make sure your dream aligns with your talent.
People who succeed at their dreams love what they do and do it well.
The Passion Question:
Does my dream compel me to follow it?
Passion is the
starting point for achieving
your dream. It’s the enthusiasm that gives you energy, focus, and power to keep
moving forward. The road to your dream will be filled with challenges and
detours. These setbacks can cause your dream to die when you believe you’re at
your wits end; however, passion for your dream will inspire you. It enables you
to overcome adversity, gives you initiative, and offers the greatest odds for
success. Keep your eye on what’s important to you and keep the firing burning.
The Pathway Question:
Do I have a strategy to reach my dream?
A strategy connects where you are and where you want to go.
Let’s consider the process of using a navigation system or GPS. You tell the
GPS where you want to go and it provides you with turn-by-turn directions to
your destination. Your dream requires you to create these directions yourself.
The process starts by just doing something every day that puts you a step
closer to achieving the dream. Maxwell states, “The secret to your success is
found in your daily agenda.”
The People Question:
Have I included the people I need to realize my dream?
If you want to realize your dream, you have to include
people. Whether they play a large role or small one, you will not be able to
fulfill your dream without the help of others. Your dream team will include
those willing to come alongside you and work with you. They will include those
who inspire you, who are honest with you, and whose skills complement yours.
You must be able to effectively communicate
the vision with your people and connect them with your dream logically,
emotionally, and visually. “People buy into the dreamer before they buy into
the dream.” Show them your heart and be patient with their engagement.
The Cost Question: Am
I willing to pay the price for my dream?
Did you count the cost? Are you truly willing to pay
the price for the dream? The journey toward your dream is personal and so is
the price that must be paid for it. You have to make the transition from
believer of the dream to buyer of the dream. Paying the cost means you will
face conflict and even crisis that often leads to discouragement. The price
will be higher than you expect, it will be paid more than once. Though the cost
is great on the road to accomplishing your dream, the rewards are worth the effort.
Challenge
the status quo, get out of your comfort zone, and give all you have for your
dream.
The Tenacity
Question: Am I moving closer to my dream?
Most people hinder themselves from reaching their full
potential. If you say you can’t do something, then you will be unable to do it.
Only those who say they can, do. Although saying you believe in yourself is not
a guarantee for success, telling yourself you can’t guarantees your failure.
Change your thinking. Understand failure happens and move forward. Your dream
should be an everyday motivational effort for you. Keep fighting for your
dream! When you feel like you can’t take another step, resolve to not give in
to the temptation of giving up. Keep moving.
The Fulfillment
Question: Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?
The gap between birthing a dream and achieving a
dream can be filled with either fulfillment or frustration. The question you
must ask yourself is, “Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?” If you
are frustrated most of the days, it will be difficult to press through when
times are hard. However, if you are experiencing fulfillment, you will be able
to overcome the obstacles because the work brings you satisfaction. It is
important that you love the journey and live the dream.
The Significance
Question: Does my dream benefit others?
A dream isn’t worthy of a person’s life if it does not
benefit others. Who will your dream benefit? Many times we are focus on a dream
that will make our lives and the lives of our immediate family
better. Regardless of why the dream was initiated, at some point the needs of
how the dream benefits those in our sphere of influence and beyond should be
determined. First, invest in yourself. This may sound selfish but you cannot
help others until you have invested in yourself. Next, once you have achieved
your success, reach down and lift someone else up. Lastly, share a dream with
others. If you can share a dream with others, it expands both their
possibilities and yours.
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