Edward Paz

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.”

I’d Like to Know?

As you pursue your dream, what are your non-negotiable priorities?

I am fascinated with greatness.

Ever since I can remember, I have been very interested in and have tried to learn from those who have experienced the highest levels of success in their chosen field over an extended period of time.

Some of my favorite “greats” of all-time include:

• Michael Jordan – Basketball Player
• Michael Jackson – Singer/Entertainer
• Earth, Wind and Fire – Band
• Og Mandino – Author
• Rick Warren – Pastor
• Jim Rohn – Inspirational Teacher
• John Wooden – Coach

Unfortunately, on June 4, 2010, one of the “greats” that has had a tremendous impact on my life,  John Wooden, passed away. He was just four months shy of celebrating his 100th birthday, and in this particular blog post, I would like to take a look at the definition of success that guided his life:

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.

I want to be successful.

I wholeheartedly desire to have the type of success, in every area of my life, that the great John Wooden speaks of.

But the truth is, there are certain areas of my life where, I am not making “the effort to become the best of which I am capable.” In these areas, I am slacking off and I am cutting corners. I am not taking full responsibility, and as a result, when it comes to that area of life, I do not have the peace of mind which Wooden speaks of.

Do you have any areas of your life in which you find yourself doing less than you are capable?

What Wooden reminds us in his definition of success is a truth that we have heard ever since we were young children:

Do Your Best.

In regards to your work -Do your best.
In regards to your health – Do your best.
In regards to your finances – Do your best.
In regards to your relationships – Do your best.
In regards to your responsibilities – Do your best.

I know the advice is simple, but in light of the many obstacles and difficulty that surround us all, not only is it more convicting and true than ever before, but it also is extremely encouraging.

Do Your Best.

I’d Like to Know…

What is your definition of success?

Gratitude is not only
the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all the others.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

Effective Dreamers are Grateful.

Because their journey is long and difficult, effective dreamers understand the important role that gratitude plays in keeping them motivated and encouraged to see their goals and dreams to completion.

They have made a habit of recognizing the various “good things” that they are experiencing along their dream journey and they use those things as fuel to keep moving forward.

There are many things that an effective dreamer can be thankful for, but when they consistently take the time to appreciate the following three occurrences, the journey gets much easier to endure:

1. Gratitude for DECISIONS

Be willing to make decisions. That’s the most important quality in a good leader. – George S. Patton

Effective dreamers do not underestimate the importance of the decisions that they make. Therefore, when a big decision has been made, they celebrate it. They appreciate and are grateful for the beginning as much as they are for the end. They understand that the outcome they are looking to see is not possible without first making the decision to pursue that outcome.

Key Question: What critical decisions have you made that you can appreciate and be grateful for?

2. Gratitude for PROGRESS

The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress. – Joseph Joubert

The goals and ambitions of an effective dreamer are many times so lofty that their completion could be years away. With that in mind, effective dreamers understand the importance of appreciating and being grateful for milestones.

• Customers/Clients served
• Months/Years in business
• Testimonials/Appreciation received
• Gigs/Shows played

Though in a given week or month, the dreamer’s vision might not fully come to fruition, by consistently taking the time to celebrate specific instances of progress, the effective dreamer is energized and confirmed in the fact that the journey they are on is indeed the right one for them.

Key Question: What milestones have you achieved that you can appreciate and be grateful for?

3. Gratitude for COMPLETION

The little that is completed, vanishes from the sight of one who looks forward to what is still to do. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In an effort to not fall victim to the reality expressed in Goethe’s quote above, effective dreamers do not just overlook a particular project, task, event or work of art being completed. Completion is a big deal in the life of an effective dreamer. Completion motivates effective dreamers like nothing else, therefore when goals on a dreamer’s list are completed, time is always made for gratitude and appreciation.

Key Question: What have you completed on your dream journey that you can appreciate and be grateful for?

I’d Like to Know…

In addition to decisions, progress and completion, what else do you make a conscious effort of being grateful for along your dream journey?

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

How long will it take
till I finally see
the one in the mirror
who I dream to be?

How long will it take
before others know
my value within?
Doesn’t it show?

There’s a gift that I have
that I wish to share
but why does it seem
like there‘s no one aware?

Delay. Disappointment.
Frustration and Doubt.
So overwhelming.
Is there no shorter route?

Have Patience with Your Process.

The delays you despise
each have a reason.
If you see them all through
you’ll experience your season.

The time will soon come
your contribution on display
but a process comes first
there’s no other way.

For premature success
has been a downfall of many.
But if you can wait
you’ll find yourself ready.

Like a baby who develops
Nine months before birth
Your patience will produce
an invaluable worth.

I’d Like to Know…

How do you embrace the patience required to see your goals and dreams to fruition?

Live as if you were
to 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.

I’d Like to Know…

Which of the four types of development do you enjoy the most and why?