Do You See Your Dream?

Do you know where you’re going? Having a clear vision of your future is crucial. You might not know every step yet, but a clear vision gives you the motivation to move forward. As you pursue your dream, here are five important steps to guide you.

First, be specific about your destination. Where exactly do you want to go? Michael Hyatt once said, “If you have a clear vision, you’ll attract the right strategy. If your vision is not clear, no strategy will save you.” Success is not a place you reach—it’s a journey you grow through. As John Maxwell emphasizes, you will never exhaust your capacity to grow if you understand success as a journey.

Clarity transforms vague ideas into focused goals. It’s about deciding exactly what you want and consistently working toward it. For example, don’t just say, “I want to be a keynote speaker at the sales conference.” Get specific. What will your topic be? How long will you speak? When will you prepare your presentation? What lasting value will you give your audience?

Write it down. Putting your dream on paper invites clarity and intentional action. Be clear about what you want, when you want it, and how you’ll feel once you achieve it.

Second, a dream doesn’t become clear without effort. John Maxwell reminds us, “Dreams are free, but the journey isn’t.” The price is your daily effort.

Many people start strong, but few finish well. Why? They expect instant results. But true success comes from the small, consistent steps you take every day. Think about weight loss: it’s not one big decision but many small ones—avoiding sugar, choosing low-glycemic foods, exercising daily, drinking purified water. Small habits, repeated consistently, are what produce real results.

Master the mundane. What’s easy to do is also easy not to do. Excellence isn’t built in a day—it’s built daily. Consistency compounds.

Third, a clear dream affirms your purpose. A compelling dream gives direction and meaning to your life. Too often, people leave their dreams vague and unfinished. John Maxwell says, “When your dream and your purpose are aligned, you know it.”

Dr. Viktor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, found purpose even inside Nazi concentration camps. He envisioned himself someday standing before students, teaching about the psychology of suffering. That vision became his anchor through unimaginable hardship.

Frankl said it well: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear with almost any ‘how’.”
A clear vision ties you to a deeper why, giving you the strength to endure and move forward.

Fourth, a clear dream determines your priorities. If your dream is to run a marathon, running and eating right become daily priorities, not optional activities. A specific dream helps you focus. It shows you what to say yes to—and what to say no to.

Align your activities with your values and your mission. What is your true north? What outcome are you aiming for? Who will benefit from your success?

Daily priorities aren’t just items on a checklist; they are choices rooted in your purpose. Viktor Frankl endured by focusing on how his future work would add value to others. You must do the same: prioritize your dream every day.

Fifth, a clear dream requires a team. Dreams are never achieved alone. “Teamwork makes the dream work” is more than a slogan—it’s a principle of success.

Surround yourself with mentors and peers who challenge, encourage, and sharpen you.
John Maxwell’s Law of Environment teaches that the right surroundings and the right people are critical for growth.

Programs like the Maxwell Leadership Certification are built on this truth. They connect you with a team of mentors and leaders who stretch you, inspire you, and equip you to succeed.

Maxwell’s reflections on teamwork say it best:

My team makes me better than I am.
My team multiplies my value to others.
My team enables me to do what I do best.
My team allows me to help others do their best.
My team gives me more time.
My team provides me with companionship.
My team helps me fulfill the desires of my heart.
My team compounds my vision and effort.
My team empowers me to realize my dream.

Dreams flourish in the company of the right people.

A clear dream gives you direction, affirms your purpose, sharpens your priorities, and connects you with the people who will help you make it happen.