I have been lucky enough to help many people define and pursue their dream. I have also taught from John C. Maxwell’s book, Put Your Dream to the Test. Through coaching I have discovered that people get stuck for many reasons. But if you have a dream, and you can answer these 6 questions positively, you have the potential to be successful if you choose to be.
1. Do I see my dream clearly? Your dream needs to have clarity. You need to know the details of what you want to achieve. You are the only one that can define your goal. If you struggle with this question, then you may need to reflect on why it is your goal. What is it you really want?
2. Is it achievable? I am a strong believer that we can achieve anything that work towards. But this question is the reality check. I know at age 54, and being only 5’5″ tall, I will never play professional basketball. No matter how hard I try. This question is not meant to diminish your dream. In fact, I encourage the opposite, dream big.
3. Is it fed by my passion? Accomplishing a big dream requires time and energy. If you are not passionate about what you want to achieve, you will fall short. You will get distracted by other things, or you will lack the energy to follow through. If your dream supports your passion, you will be energized by the work.
4. Are there others I can count on to help me achieve this dream? Many of us think we can achieve our dream by ourselves. It is seldom the case. Achieving anything of value in this world requires other people. We need supporters, mentors, coaches, friends, and team members. If you want to put your journey on track, make sure you are connecting with the right people along the way. If you go on this journey alone, you are likely to be stopped by obstacles you encounter.
5. Am I committed to be persistent? Do you know someone that jumps from project to project, idea to idea, or from one activity to another, and struggles to finish anything? Successful people have learned that success is not a result, but an ongoing process. You must be able to accept the mistakes, obstacles, and failures that lead to success. There is no short cut. You have to overcome the barriers and not be distracted.
6. Does my dream serve the world? This question may take you by surprise. It is your dream after all. But your chance of success increases greatly if others see value in your dream. If your dream provides a positive impact on the world, your company, your team, your family, or your friends, finding support for success becomes easier. Giving is a far greater reward than receiving. When you achieve your dream, how will other people be impacted?
I have seen these 6 questions in action. My wife, Angelica Brown, inspires me as she pursues her dream. This year she launched a clothing company, AngeliCotton. I have seen her effort, dedication, and desire to provide product quality unsurpassed in this industry.
Her dream is clear, achievable, and fuels her passion. She has assembled an international team for support. She works from sunrise to sunset. And her dream serves others in many ways. The most visible is the donation of 10% of profit to charities which help women and girls in need.
It has been exciting to watch Angelica create, build, and launch this company. Please check out her current campaign on Kickstarter. Grab some inspiration, evaluate your dream, and ask yourself these 6 questions.
