Today’s post is an excerpt from my book, Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions that Will Help You See It and Seize It
Know the Answers Before You Take the Test
When you were a kid in school, do you remember a teacher doing a review before a test and saying something like, “Pay attention now because this is going to be on the test”? I do. The encouraging teachers who wanted to see their students succeed said things like that all the time. They wanted us to be prepared so that we could do well. They put us to the test, but they set us up for success.
My desire is to be like one of those encouraging teachers to you. I want to prepare you to put your dream to the test so that you can actually achieve it. How? I believe that if you know the right questions to ask yourself, and if you can answer these questions in an affirmative way, you will have an excellent chance of being able to achieve your dreams. The more questions you can answer positively, the greater the likelihood of success! That’s the reason I wrote this book.
The Right and Wrong Picture of a Dream
I’ve studied successful people for almost forty years. I’ve known hundreds of high-profile people who achieved big dreams. And I’ve achieved a few dreams of my own. What I’ve discovered is that a lot of people have misconceptions about dreams. Take a look at many of the things that people pursue and call dreams in their lives:
- Day Dreams – Distractions from Current Work
- Pie-in-the-Sky Dreams – Wild Ideas with No Strategy or Basis in Reality
- Bad Dreams – Worries that Breed Fear and Paralysis
- Idealistic Dreams – The Way the World Would Be If You Were in Charge
- Vicarious Dreams – Dreams Lived Through Others
- Romantic Dreams – Belief that Some Person Will Make You Happy
- Career Dreams – Belief that Career Success Will Make You Happy
- Destination Dreams – Belief that a Position, Title, or Award Will Make You Happy
- Material Dreams – Belief that Wealth or Possessions Will Make You Happy
- Seasonal Dreams – A Short Term Target You Try to Reach
If these aren’t good dreams-valid ones worthy of a person’s life-then what are? Here is my definition of a dream that can be put to the test and pass: a dream is an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.
A genuine dream is a picture and blueprint of a person’s purpose and potential. Or as my friend Sharon Hull says, “A dream is the seed of possibility planted in the soul of a human being, which calls him to pursue a unique path to the realization of his purpose.”
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Any other definitions of a dream that inspire you? If you’re on Twitter, I’ve started a hashtag (sort of like a themed conversation) labeled this way: #dreamtest.
There I’m sharing some of my favorite quotes and concepts from Put Your Dream to the Test
Twitter even allows you to track all mentions of a hashtag. Friends who are more tech-minded than I am say that you can follow hashtag conversations by tweeting follow #_____. Example, follow #dreamtest will put all tweets with that hashtag into your twitterstream.
Twitterstream? Hashtag? Tweet? If all this talk about Twitter sounds like a foreign language to you, read on:
It’s easy to sign up on Twitter. Once you create an account, you can follow me here: @johncmaxwell.
For more about Hashtags, read this helpful article on TwiTip.
All Hashtags are compiled and listed on Hashtag.org.
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Remember, I’m a Twitter newbie too.
In fact, without my blog administrator, I would be clueless. She recommends the blog TwiTip by Darren Rowse if you want to really “get it.”
17 responses so far ↓
1 Holly // Apr 23, 2009 at 10:00 am
Mr Maxwell,
Wow I LOVE your definition of a dream. I’m a young leader in hot pursuit of my dream. I can’t wait to get your new books on Putting you dream to the test! Thanks for continually writing so that I can learn!
Holly Sohriakoff
2 Lisa Creasey // Apr 23, 2009 at 10:06 am
Gotta Love John Maxwell and his down to earth writing. Put Your Dream to the Test proves to be another success. Not only for John Maxwell, but for anyone who reads the book. Getting ready to buy and read it myself. I’m sure I will be passing it on to others.
3 Jeff Harvey // Apr 23, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Hi John, My name is Jeff and I’m your friend. It was great to see you in Spokane last weekend. I sent you a quote that I came up with when some young men in my business asked me for my definition of a dream. I pondered the question for a moment, felt the presence and heard the voice of God speak to me and say “Dreams are unrealized reality.” I’m putting a talk together on the subject and have some great thoughts already down on a referrence sheet of paper. Enjoy.
4 Lantz Howard // Apr 23, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Finished chapter one tonight. Thanks for always challenging the status quo. I feel like I am at a place of transitions in life and look forward to clarifying my dreams as I continue the book.
5 Rahul // Apr 24, 2009 at 2:45 am
Dear John,
I am an avid reader of your books. I read the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership, 360 degree leader, the 17 indisputable laws of team work and leadership 101 etc..
Thank you very much for your writing such a wonderful books.
I am trying to buy the new book “Put your dreams to test” in India. It is unavailable.
Can you please tell to your indian readers when will this new book be available in india.
Thanks and Regards,
Rahul Bhaskarini
6 Jim Gray // Apr 24, 2009 at 7:29 am
I love your ideas behind developing leadership.
7 Jim Gray // Apr 24, 2009 at 7:32 am
i use twitter to market my blog and to interact with the world.
8 Ron Lane // Apr 24, 2009 at 8:38 pm
That is a great definition of a dream. Can we get this stuff installed as a class in school? Our society today needs to learn to dream again. I am trying to instill this in my children.
9 Nadia Giordana // Apr 25, 2009 at 6:25 am
I’m a fan and follower, loved this piece and with your blessing, linked to it. You’ve helped millions of people.
10 Not just a pipe dream « THINKING SKINNY™ // Apr 25, 2009 at 3:53 pm
[...] By John C. Maxwell [...]
11 Not just a pipe dream « my side of the fence // Apr 25, 2009 at 3:55 pm
[...] By John C. Maxwell [...]
12 Jason D. Yaw // Apr 26, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Dreams are fantasies of the mind born into reality by a catalyst.Without it,they remain simply fantasies.Become the catalyst. – Jason Yaw #dreamtest
13 Joey // Apr 29, 2009 at 5:49 am
John, have you ever read any of C.E. Jefferson’s books? He reminds me of the individualist that you are. I love that about You, Jefferson, and myself.
14 Evan Money // May 4, 2009 at 3:13 pm
It’s a hard line to draw on what is a ” realistic” dream or not. Walt Disney is a perfect example. Thanks John for all you do.
15 Evan Money // May 4, 2009 at 3:15 pm
It’s a hard line to draw on what is a ” realistic” dream or not. Walt Disney is a perfect example. Thanks John for all you do.
16 Kathy // May 9, 2009 at 8:38 pm
You were awesome in Spokane!!! Love you new book it really opens the eyes about what is my dream or is it really what everyone else around me wants. MAKES YOU GO HUMMMMM!!!??? I will keep reading and get this figured out Thanks
17 Keisha R. // Aug 19, 2009 at 8:02 am
Hello John, I am now reading your book, Put Your Dream to the Test. I am in the chapter of the Reality Question where an example of Beethoven is given. I feel like Beethoven as a conductor when it comes to leading people into worship. It is a struggle for me and I have to do far more than others have to. But I know this is where God has called me. If I answer the question honestly, I am not depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream. I am truly at a crossroads. I would appreciate any insight.