#36 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS LEARN

Live as if you wereto die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever.
Benjamin Franklin

Effective dreamers are learners.

They never cease to be in search of knowledge and experiences that will make them more effective in their chosen field. They wholeheartedly believe the saying made famous by the great Albert Einstein, “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”

Effective dreamers understand the importance of personal growth and development, and in my experiences, four distinct ways of development have had a tremendous impact on my life:

1. Development through MEDIA

Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can – there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.
– Sarah Caldwell.

Learned knowledge. This type of knowledge is consumed is a variety of ways:

• Books/Audio Books
• Instructional DVD’S/Videos
• Blogs/Video Blogs
• Seminars/Workshops
• Conferences/Events
• Formal Schooling

Development through these various forms is powerful and is many times responsible for the foundational ideas that will drive an effective dreamer for the rest of their life.

2. Development through ACTIVITY

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. – Pablo Picasso

Activity knowledge. This type of development and growth comes from doing, taking action and trial and error. What can be learned in theory through learned knowledge is made real through activity knowledge.  Also known as “on the job training,” activity knowledge, though many times difficult, can also be the most impactful.

3. Development through PEOPLE

Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action. – Albert Bandura

Modeling knowledge. This type of learning saves the effective dreamer time, energy and money. Taking both the successes and failures of those who are seeing their dreams to fruition and learning from them aids the effective dreamer to, in the end, go further, faster.

4. Development through SHARING

We Learn: 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see, 50% of what we see and hear, 70% of what we discuss, 80% of what we experience and 95% of what we teach others. – William Glasser

Teaching knowledge. Effective dreamers share their experiences, lessons and realizations with an understanding that in doing so, they will better learn and understand them themselves. There is no getting around it, what we teach, we learn.

Effective dreamers fully realize that they are a work in progress. Their growth which ultimately comes as a result of a mixture of media, activity, people  and sharing ends up acting as “maps” that they use to direct them to their destination of a dream fulfilled.

#35 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS PRIORITIZE

Efficiency is doing things right, effectiveness is doing the right things.
Peter F. Drucker

Effective dreamers put first things first.

Effective dreamers understand that not all priorities are equal. They are very aware that if their goals and dreams are achieved at the expense of their priorities that, in the end, it isn’t worth it.

Common non-negotiable priorities of effective dreamers include:

1. FAITH

“There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. Until that is done, we are on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere.” – John Wooden

Effective dreamers prioritize their relationship with God. In spite of the fact that the world-renown basketball coach John Wooden experienced the highest levels of success coaching the UCLA Bruins, even he knew that without faith “we are on an aimless course.”

Effective dreamers understand that dreams fulfilled apart from a faith in God leave you empty. Adversely, when dreams are pursued with an understanding that the main objective of fulfilling the dream is to bring glory to God, true joy and a sense of purpose is realized.

How then do effective dreamers prioritize their faith? The great business philosopher Jim Rohn said it best, “Study, practice and teach.” Effective dreamers consistently make the time to study their faith, practice their faith and teach their faith.

2. FITNESS

“The first wealth is health.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Effective dreamers prioritize their health. They are very aware that the healthier you are the more effective you are. They understand that when you feel better you do better. Prioritizing their health and fitness not only provides the dreamer with the vigor and vitality necessary to do the work to make the dream come true, but it also gives the dreamer the best chance at being alive to see the fruits of their labor!

How then do effective dreamers prioritize their fitness? They consistently eat healthy foods and exercise. Simple advice, yes. Easy to follow, no.

3. FAMILY

“No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?” – Elbert Hubbard

Effective dreamers prioritize the relationships with those whom they love. They define their success not only by what they do, but also by who they developed relationships with during the process. One of an effective dreamers greatest nightmares is to have achieved every goal they may have had, but to have no family members around to share in their joy.

How then do effective dreamers prioritize their family? They invest quality time with them. Like the old adage says, “How does a child spell love? T-I-M-E.”

#34 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS WAIT

The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.
Arnold H. Glasgow

Effective dreamers are patient.

When it comes to the fulfillment of their dream, they allow time to take its’ course. They understand the importance of a process, and they submit to it.

They liken their patience to the type of patience that a mother must exercise when she first finds out that she has conceived a child. For the child to be delivered healthily, a determined timetable is necessary. Likewise, for a dreamer’s dream to be conceived in a healthy manner, a determined incubation or waiting period is required.

Aspects of the dream journey that effective dreamers exercise patience through include:

1. Patience through TRAINING

Effective dreamers understand that the development of their talents, skills and abilities takes time. Greatness is only developed over time and effective dreamers exercise patience as their greatness is being manifested.

They understand that at least 10,000 is required to develop the skill of their choice. Studies show that to become a world-class musician, artist, writer, communicator, leader, counselor, actor, athlete, cook etc. requires 10,000 hours of practice. Effective dreamers are not only aware of this, but they are even more aware of the fact that there is no way that they can rush the 10,000 hours!

2. Patience through TRANSITION

Effective dreamers are not rattled by change. If moving locations is necessary, they are patient with the moving process. If changing a product is necessary, they are patient as the product is changed. If new methods must be learned or taught, they are patient as these methods are communicated.

In the same way that a farmer must be patient as the seasons transition from one to another, so must an effective dreamer embrace, with patience, each season that their dream may go though.

3. Patience through TROUBLE

Effective dreamers are patient through even the toughest parts of their dream journey. When finances are lacking, they patiently wait for them to show up. When people are quitting, they patiently wait for the right people to arrive. When problems are raining down on every aspect of their dream, they patiently wait for the storm to pass them by.

Remember, it is only after gold has been placed under extreme temperatures over an extended period of time that it is purified and reaches its’ highest value. Our dreams are no different.

#33 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS DELAY GRATIFICATION

He would achieve little must sacrifice little; he would achieve much must sacrifice much; he would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.
James Allen

Effective dreamers are sacrificial.

No pain. No gain. Though it is a saying that we are all too familiar with, it is a truth that effective dreamers have embraced.

Dreamers make sacrifices. When they have identified the goal which they intend to pursue, they have the rare ability to, in many different ways, delay their gratification until their goal is reached.

Effective dreamers understand that to produce results that most people do not produce,they have to make sacrifices that most people do not have to make. They are convinced that significant positive impact requires significant sacrifice. That being said, you can find effective dreamers sacrificing:

Security for feelings of Significance.
Prosperity for the joy of pursuing their Purpose.
Acceptance for a chance to fulfill their Assignment.

What motivates these tough and, many times, painful sacrifices?

I believe it an awareness that there are certain things that are more important than the temporary pleasures that they may be sacrificing. Effective dreamers sacrifice because they realize:

1. PEOPLE are more important

The lives that can be potentially changed or positively impacted as a result of a dream being realized provides great motivation for sacrifice.

For example, if you knew that sacrificing your personal financial security in order that 1,000’s of widows and orphans in a third-world country (or whatever people group means a lot to you) would have a better life, wouldn’t you make the sacrifice?

2. PROGRESS is more important

When it is understood that a certain sacrifice will lead to progress with a particular dream or goal the sacrifice is much easier to make.

When we are told our cholesterol level will be lowered, we sacrifice our desire for fast food. When we know our relationship with our loved ones will be strengthened, we sacrifice our pride and ask for (or extend) forgiveness. When we are convinced that a particular investment will produce a return, we sacrifice our hard earned dollars.

3. PURPOSE is more important

Effective dreamers understand that their life’s purpose has a higher priority over sleep, comfort, hard work, money, hobbies, and other temporary pleasures therefore, the decision to sacrifice those things is made.

They believe that “The greatest failure is to be successful in the wrong assignment” (Myles Munroe) so they are quick to sacrifice those things that have nothing to do with their purpose.

#32 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS BEGIN

The beginning is the most important part of the work.
Plato

Effective dreamers are starters.

They understand that their dreams, visions, burdens and plans are useless until they get started. There is no way around it. For dreams to be fulfilled, starting is required.

The following are three areas that effective dreamers absolutely master when it comes to starting.

1. Effective Dreamers START OVER.

Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist but the ability to start over.– F. Scott Fitzgerald

Distractions. Obstacles. Failure. There are many reasons why, in starting well, one might need to consider the idea of starting over.

But as difficult and humbling as beginning again may be, it is not near as difficult as living with the regret of a dream unfulfilled.

As the late Aaliyah once so beautifully sang, “If at first you don’t succeed then dust yourself off and try again.”

2. Effective Dreamers START SMALL.

Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still. 
– Chinese Proverb

Effective dreamers avoid the temptation to commit themselves to activities that they cannot sustain over a long period of time.

They realize that, in the end, the fulfillment of their dreams will come not as a result of major investments of their time made sporadically, but more as a result of simple disciplines executed day in and day out.

They are very aware of the one or two habits that they can commit themselves to that, over time, have the greatest impact on their dream becoming a reality.

3. Effective Dreamers START NOW!

So many fail because they don’t get started – they don’t go. They don’t overcome inertia. They don’t begin. – W. Clement Stone

Effective dreamers understand that the world is waiting for their masterpiece to be revealed! There is an understanding that though much time will pass before their ultimate work is completed, there is no better day than today to get the process started!

#31 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS COOPERATE

Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.
Henry Ford

Effective dreamers are team-oriented.

Dreams require teams. And history has clearly shown that every great endeavor that has had a positive impact on our world was accomplished by a team.

Walt Disney had the Imagineers.
John Wooden had the UCLA Bruins.
Jesus Christ had the 12 Disciples.
Mother Theresa had the Nuns of Calcutta.

Though working within the context of a team is not always the easiest thing to do, effective dreamers choose to cooperate and work in teams because they understand that a strong team leads to:

Combined TALENTS

While one person is capable of having one or two talents, a team of individuals brings together a multitude of skills and abilities. Effective dreamers embrace this and surround themselves with people who have talents to compliment their own.

Constant ENCOURAGEMENT

Every dream journey is filled with obstacles and roadblocks along the way. A dreamer who is accompanied by a team to provide constant encouragement through those obstacles typically perseveres. A dreamer who lacks encouragement from others rarely pushes through.

Consistent ACCOUNTABILITY

The tasks and “To-Do” Lists of an effective dreamer are many. E-mails to send, applications to fill out, products to order, relationships to develop, places to go, deadlines to meet, etc. A team provides a group of people to be accountable to for those tasks. The absence of a team leaves the dreamer accountable to themselves. And we all know how that usually works out…

Creative MASTERMINDS

In addition to producing multiple talents, teams also produce multiple creative minds. Multiple minds to solve problems. Multiple minds to develop vision. Multiple minds to produce good ideas.

The great thing about this is, bringing two minds together does not only give you two minds. The two minds combined produce a much more powerful and creative “third mind.” It’s the idea of synergy where 1+1=3!

#30 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS ADJUST

We must to adjust to
changing times and still hold to
unchanging principles.
Jimmy Carter

Effective dreamers are flexible.

They are aware that the road to dream fulfillment is not a straight one; so when the twists and turns of the journey arise – they make the necessary adjustments. They embrace the idea of consistent course correction and they do not allow themselves to get stuck on that which is no longer working.

This characteristic of flexibility is born out of an understanding that failure is a reality and it is the person who learns and adjusts from the failure who makes the most progress.

So with that in mind, effective dreamers keep themselves open to:

1. Adjusting their PLANS.

When plans are no longer working, effective dreamers make adjustments to them. They realize that the plan that may have got them started may not be the plan that is going to get them to their “finish line.”

What was supposed to take three years, may need to be adjusted to five.
What was supposed to cost $5 million, may need to be adjusted to $2 million.
What was supposed to help 1,000 people, may need to be adjusted to help 3,000 people.

Are you willing to make adjustments to your plans?

2. Adjusting their ACTIONS.

Similarly, when specific actions are no longer getting the results they once did, effective dreamers change them.

When their methods are outdated, they update.
When their approach becomes irrelevant, they become relevant.
When their systems no longer work, they design new ones.

Are you willing to make adjustments to your actions?

3. Adjusting their TEAM.

Finally, adjustment to your “dream team” must remain a possibility as well. As the vision for your dream transforms, as people develop and as things change, so will your team. Adjustments to your team may include:

Friends who began the dream journey with you.
Someone who you thought was “perfect” for the position.
Family members who you thought would work with you forever.

Are you willing to make adjustments to your team?

Remember, in regards to your dream journey, it’s not what has been that is most important. It’s what (and who) works best that is most important.

#29 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS BELIEVE

Faith is knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.
Khalil Gibran

Effective dreamers are faith-filled.

Dreamers do not only visualize possibilities, but, more importantly, they sincerely believe that the possibilities that they dream can and will come true.

They have the unique ability to trust without knowing and believe without seeing.

Where does this faith come from?

I can’t say for sure, but what I do know is that many of the things that they believe in are similar. A majority of dreamers who see their dreams to completion all have:

1. Faith in their GOAL

Effective dreamers believe that the dreams and goals they are pursuing are worthy goals. They believe that the change that they are believing for is necessary and needed. They live with a sense of conviction that says, “If I don’t accomplish this dream or goal, no one else will.” They are convinced that their goal is a good one, and it is their responsibility to see it to completion.

2. Faith in their GIFT

In addition to a belief in their goals, effective dreamers have an unwavering faith in their talents and abilities. They understand that they have been uniquely equipped to make their dreams a reality therefore they confidently pursue that which they have set in their hearts to accomplish. They believe the old adage that states, “God does not call the equipped, but he equips the called.”

3. Faith in their GOD

Possibly the most important aspect of an effective dreamer’s faith, is their faith in God. Dreamers who see their dreams to fruition believe, ultimately, their dreams were given to them by God. They see the work that they are carrying out as critical not only because it is needed in the world, but more importantly, because it is an assignment from above.

Effective dreamers believe God will provide for the various needs of their dream.
Effective dreamers believe God will make a way where there seems to be no way.
Effective dreamers believe God will give them strength to persevere through their obstacles.

Though effective dreamers have a trust and faith in their goals and dreams, their ultimate trust is in “The Dreamgiver.”

#28 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS VISUALIZE

Visualize this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blue print, and begin to build.
Robert Collier

Effective dreamers are visionaries.

Everything is created twice. The first creation taking place mentally. The second creation taking place physically.

For example:

Blueprints precede beautiful buildings.
Recipes precede delicious meals.
Business plans precede million-dollar businesses.

The truth is, effective dreamers are not only great at making their dream a reality in the physical realm, but they are equally and many times even more talented at envisioning the dream prior to its’ completion.

When a dreamer identifies their concern (whether for themselves, their community, or the world), many times their next natural step is to visualize an ideal solution. They visualize answers. They visualize possibilities. They visualize hope.

This envisioning or visualizing typically takes place in three different forms:

1. DREAMING the future.

Dreaming happens in the mind. Dreaming is the ability of seeing projects, structures, music, dance, words and other creations before they can be seen in the natural. Dreaming is creating a mental picture of what could and what should be. Dreaming brings a future desire into a present reality.

2. DISCUSSING the future.

Discussing happens with others. Sharing ideas. Exchanging thoughts. Giving feedback. Challenging concepts. Visualizing with others is a powerful way to bring life and growth to the dreams that have been birthed in your mind. A willingness to discuss the future shows a need for others and an understanding that the best ideas are a combination of several ideas.

3. DESIGNING the future.

Designing happens on paper. Designing or “Goal-Setting” is the art of taking what has been dreamt in the mind and discussed with others and putting those ideas on paper. Designing brings specificity to what you see becoming a reality. Designing brings into consideration deadlines, details, descriptions and drawings. Designing is visualizing made tangible.

#27 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS CARE

The salvation of mankind lies only in making everything the concern of all. 
Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Effective dreamers are concerned.

It has been said that the starting point of all achievement is desire.

While I agree with that statement to an extent, I have found that I have never had a desire until I have first had a concern. For example:

I desire to exercise when I am first concerned about my health.
I desire to pray when I am first concerned about my relationship with God.
I desire to do the dishes when I am first concerned about the happiness of my wife!

On the other side of the coin, when I don’t have a true concern for a thing, it is very difficult for me to maintain a sustained desire.

With that said, I am convinced that goals and dreams are most often realized when, first, an individual connects with and has a sincere concern or care:

1. For THEMSELVES

One who has a concern for themselves believes: I can be better than this.

It is when these feelings of concern arise within an individual that desire and motivation for positive personal change follows.

Consider: What concerns do you have for yourself?

2. For their COMMUNITY

One who has a concern for the community believes: We can be better than this.

These feelings of concern lead an individual to make choices and decisions to make a positive change within their sphere of influence and surrounding community.

Consider: What concerns do you have for your community?

3. For the WORLD

One who has a concern for the world believes: Our world can be better than this.

It is the dreamers and goal achievers who have a concern and a burden for the world that have the seed within them to change the world.

Knowing this, it is my hope that, in addition to the concerns that we have for ourselves and our communities, we would also develop global concerns. If we would become concerned about the needs, issues and problems of the world at large, there is no telling what type of work those concerns would motivate us to accomplish!

Consider: What concerns do you have for the world?