Last week I re-read a book which caused me to think. Very hard.
I reflected on all the Executives, Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners and Financial Planners I’ve worked with over the years.
Scanning through my memory, I realised that there was a pattern.
A pattern linking all of those with whom I enjoyed working most.
The link?
I recalled that the relationships I enjoyed most were those with… Dreamers.
No… I don’t mean that they were woolly-headed folk; or that they walked around in cloud-cuckoo-land.
It’s simply that they possessed this… well, this Dream that inspired them. And scared them at the same time.
I met another Dreamer recently.
His Dream was both moving and inspiring.
As we agreed to work together, I considered the months ahead and thought “Yes! I could get excited about helping him to fulfill this Dream.
This is worth coming to work for!”
Now, that’s all well and good.
But I’ve also discovered a pattern that’s common to all Dreamers.
You see, some live to fulfill their Dream.
And some abandon their Dream along the way.
And, unless you’re aware of how this pattern plays out… you could so easily be one of those Dreamers whose Dream turns into disappointing dust.
And that’s desperately sad, isn’t it?
To live out your last years with your Dream still inside you.
So, I’ve distilled the pattern I’ve observed, in the hope that it will give you the courage and strength to carry on Dreaming in your business.
And make that Dream come alive.
This pattern can be observed in the stories of most great men and women; most great stories of human endeavour.
And millions of those seemingly ordinary folk, who were not so great… but lived magnificently anyway.
You probably know one or two personally.
There tend to be 8 Steps to this pattern.
I’m not going to expand on them all today. I’m simply going to express them… and leave you to ask yourself this question:
“Where am I in this pattern? Which of the 8 Steps am I living right now!”
Here they are…
Step 1: The Awakening
The hero of the story (that could be you) is strolling through life, minding their own business (so to speak)
Suddenly, they’re confronted with a colossal problem. An enormous task. A task that would frighten many.
But for some reason the hero is ignited by the possibility that he could rise to this challenge.
Oh, the hero is frightened; that’s for sure. But their faculties are now awake and alive!
Step 2: The Teacher
It’s often said, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
This step takes humility.
Seeking help is bruising to the ego.
But it saves years of disappointment and wasted energy.
And can help the Dreamer move from Novice to Skilled Craftsman in an astonishingly short time.
Step 3: Clear Vision
The Teacher helps the Dreamer to see the Path to The Dream more clearly.
For the Dreamer, this is like stepping out of the fog into bright sunlight.
The Dream becomes more real and alive.
Step 4: The Mission
The Dreamer now understands the power of The Dream.
They can’t exactly see what that Dream looks like. However, they feel the pull of it: so strongly that they can hardly sleep or breathe when they think about it.
And they at least can see the Path ahead (because of The Teacher’s help)
Step 5: The Opposition
Now it comes.
It always comes now… when the Dreamer has set off down the Path, and is most excited by the Possibilities.
The Opposition will come first from those who are close to the Dreamer. Those who think the Dreamer is being stupid.
“You’ve bitten off more than you can chew!” They shout.
They’re frightened, because the Dreamer is changing.
Then there are the Goliaths.
Goliaths are monstrous challenges that frighten the life out of the Dreamer.
That leave the Dreamer weak with fear and exhaustion.
The very thought of the Goliaths keep the Dreamer awake, fretting and sweating.
Nevertheless, in the daytime, the Dreamer finds that – as they start to fight the Goliath of the day – another Dreamer or two appear at their side, to help.
And then there is the Wilderness.
The Wilderness is where nothing seems to work for the Dreamer’s good.
It’s barren, dry, unproductive.
This is the Dreamer’s Greatest Test.
And the Test might continue for many, many miles.
This is where so very many Dreamers turn back.
This is where there’s no sight of The Teacher.
And all the Dreamer remembers is the Teacher’s voice, and the Teacher’s lessons echoing in the dark of night.
There’s just a simple choice now.
Give up and go back.
Or press on.
Step 6: Learning The Truth
Plodding on and plodding on, the Dreamer reaches the edge of the Wilderness.
And lo! There, ahead of him is a stream.
As he drinks from the stream, he sees fresh, waving grass on the other side.
Grass and trees. Trees groaning with the weight of luscious fruit.
So… wading through the cool, clear water, the Dreamer collapses onto the welcoming grass… and sighs.
The Dreamer’s sigh is echoed by someone who has just appeared, sitting beside him.
This someone is clothed as a Warrior. Dusty and smeared with sweat.
Looking into the Warrior’s face, the Dreamer sees his Teacher!
“Who did you think trained the other Dreamers, and sent them to you each day… to help you to fight the Goliaths?” the Teacher asks.
“But I had to leave you to fight without me. You had to learn to develop all of the skills needed to fight on. Only the Goliaths and wilderness could help you become the Finder of the Dream!”
Step 7: The Surprise of The Dream
Together the Dreamer and Warrior-Teacher travel.
Until they reach a city, set in surroundings so beautiful that it takes the Dreamer’s breath away.
The city walls and gates and towers proclaim its great wealth and sophistication.
And the Dreamer feels it rising in his breast.
THIS is my Dream!
This is what I’ve battled so far to discover!
Yet, the Dreamer has hardly entered the gates of the city, before he is surrounded by desperate looking people, with haunted, empty eyes and stressed faces.
All around him, he hears discord and contention and heartache.
Fear and loneliness hang in the shadows.
Poverty and grime slink beside grand houses.
Looking at the Teacher, the Dreamer whispers, “There is Great Need here.”
“Yes, there is.” responds the Teacher. “The Greatest Dreams always arise to meet the Greatest Need!
The Greatest Dreams are never about the Dreamer… they’re about elevating and inspiring Others.”
“But, how can I possibly help all of these people?” the Dreamer cries.
“First, find a way to help just a few.” the Teacher encourages.
So, for many months the Dreamer worked to help the Few.
Very soon the Dreamer’s reputation spread, and his influence spread further.
Laughter was heard more often. Harmony filtered through the walls of each home. Generosity ran through the streets.
And people’s fondest dreams began coming true.
All because of the Dreamer’s work.
Step 8: Pay It Forward
Then one day the Dreamer was seated outside his favourite restaurant… chatting to the Teacher.
The Dreamer had just raised the question, “So, what now?”
And the teacher replied… “You’ll soon see. I think your answer is about to reach you, right now!”
The Dreamer looked to his left, and there was a girl approaching him, her face all alight.
As she came towards his table she said, “Oh, hi Dreamer! Look, I wonder if you could help me?”
“I’ll try.” said the Dreamer. “What seems to be the problem?”
“Well,” said the young lady, “I woke up this morning – you know – minding my own business. And then, over breakfast, this huge thought… this feeling hit me!
I could hardly breathe with the effort of thinking about it.
How can I put it?
It was like feeling that there is something amazing I just HAVE to do.
Like a Big Dream, waiting for me out there!
Do you know what I mean?”
So, tell me.
What’s YOUR Big Dream?
