A Mindset to Accomplish your Dreams

Accomplish your Dreams

Dreams are powerful and give hope. Dreams are the seeds of inspiration we harbor in our hearts that carry us toward our future. We see the power of dreams throughout the Bible not just the dreams at night but the dreams of a future we hold close. It is often our mindset that allows us to accomplish the dreams we desire.

We often take comfort in Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

This verse was spoken to a people that were dislocated from their home and their place of worship and yet even amid all these things God speaks truth into their reality and restores their hope for their future. We can trust in the plans that God has for us no matter what is going on in our lives and in the world.

Maybe you feel as Israel did at the end of this year, wondering what the future holds for the new year. Maybe you are a bit weary? Do you need hope, energy, and some perspective for the future as you think about what you want to accomplish?

The Power of Pausing and Reflecting

In my previous blog post, I suggested you pause and reflect and consider the following two questions,

1. “Where have I been?
2. “Where am I now?”

Effective personal goal-setting also requires us to start thinking and asking ourselves “Where am I going?”  What are my plans and goals for the new year? What do I dream to accomplish? Do I need to shift my mindset in order to accomplish my dreams this year?

So dream big… bigger… even bigger – because it is your dream, and the dream you dream will define the life that you live!

Insight: One of the reasons people don’t achieve their dreams is that they desire to change their results without changing their thinking.

Since everything begins with a thought, …

“When you change what you think, you change what you do, and you change who you are!” – Bobby Albert Share on X

Every person can live their dreams by applying the following six principles to transform their thinking.

Six Principles to Transform your Thinking and Accomplish your Dreams

1. Abundance Mindset vs. Scarcity Mindset

People with an abundance mindset believe that today’s short-term pain, sacrifice, and investment in time, energy, and money, will eventually bring long-term growth, blessings, and success.

Successful people with an abundance mindset see their resources as sufficient (plentiful). They know more resources will come and more will be created.

This mindset is rooted in the understanding that God is the source of all things and provides for His people. Ultimately an abundance mindset is knowing and trusting that the origin of all things is God. Paul says in Philippians 4:19,

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

People with a scarcity mindset find it hard to invest resources because they feel so deficient. They always feel (in an expedient way) that their commodities are about to run out.

Consequently, people with a scarcity mindset tend to be protective of what they have and what they know. Their mindset encourages them to be selfish with their time, talent, and money. We see this in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, where the one who was given one talent hides it away in his fear. He produces nothing and is given no more because he has a scarcity mindset.

Best-selling author, John Maxwell, talks about the gap between two significant questions:

• “Can I?” – A question by those who have a scarcity
• “How can I?” – A question by those who have an abundance

2. Commitment vs. Interests

To make this a banner year, you need to understand the difference between interests and commitment.

“There is a difference between interests and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you only do it when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” – Ken Blanchard Share on X

A lack of decisiveness has caused more failures than a lack of intelligence or ability.

To be committed is the quality of being dedicated according to Websters, it typically infers an engagement in one thing that will restrict your freedom to another activity. You must understand that to accomplish your dreams you must commit, and that commitment will require sacrifice and boundaries in other areas of your life.

You need to have a mental no-choice list. For example, if you never give yourself the option to eat dessert, you’ll never have the struggle.

3. Being Vs. Doing Mindset

As you prepare your goals this year, plan to live your life with a “to-be” list as well as “to-do” list.

Who you are becoming is so important…It will drive what you do.

Understanding who we are and who we are becoming is central to life.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones in, God’s Ultimate Purpose states that

“our greatest need is to become who we already are in Christ.” -Martyn Lloyd-Jones Share on X

The other side of the coin is understanding that humanity was created for work is an integral part of creation and is even a sacred task as we see in Genesis 2:15,

“Then the Lord God took the human and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”

There is intrinsic good in the work we do as an expression of the God who works.

“Who you are becoming is more important than what you are accumulating.” – Robin Sharma Share on X

4. Ask “Why” as well as “What”

It generally requires a person to ask questions to figure out what’s important and what isn’t.

“Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” – Anthony Robbins 

Asking and understanding “Why is this important to me?” will give you the emotional and motivational energy to keep moving forward when you struggle in the middle of the year with your goals.

Insight: You will lose your way when you lose your why.

5. “Others” Focused as well as “Me” Focused

Often our plans and goals are very “me-focused.” Could I suggest you add an element where you have an “add-value to others” focus? Think about how you can impact and influence others.

We know from the creation story in Genesis 1-3 that we were created to be in a relationship with a Triune God. The creation of male and female reflects the trinity and points us toward the love and care of one another.

Consider doing something for or giving to someone without expecting anything in return.

“You can’t live a perfect day until you do something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” – John Wooden Share on X

6. Challenges vs. Fear

Challenges, like a health scare that stirs you to positive lifestyle choices, can produce good results. We can be motivated and refined during the challenging or hard seasons in our life.

Unhealthy fears, like comparing yourself to others or worrying about what others will think of you, will cause you to freeze and not progress forward.

Unhealthy thinking reminds you of all those past failed attempts and often sounds like “woulda,” “coulda,” and “shoulda”.

Think about it, the new year is a time for new beginnings!

As you can see, the way we think can be just the ticket we need to achieve our goal!

A goal is more than a dream; it’s a dream being acted upon. –David Schwartz

Reflection Questions:

• What mindset shift do you need to work on to accomplish your dreams this year?
• Has your mind changed about setting your goals?

Related, Articles, Videos, and Podcast Episode

• Women Leaders Go Far By Going Together with Jo Saxton
• God Uses Rustic Beginnings with Jill Donovan
• Your First Step to an Extraordinary New Year

Free Live Group Coaching with Q&A for the Whole Community!

To help equip our community of leaders with a better mindset to accomplish their dreams in the NEW YEAR.

Coming this January (Date TBD), Bobby Albert, CEO of Values-Driven Culture, will host a FREE and LIVE group coaching experience discussing

“Why Leaders Need To Anchor In Christ During Turbulent Times”

Do you feel stuck, on the edge of burnout, worried about what the future holds in this turbulent season? Join us as we look at how our goals reveal the spiritual condition of our hearts. Pausing, reflecting, and evaluating will impact our daily habits, reveal who we trust, and stimulate growth.

Join us on Zoom to:

• Hear why Christian leaders shouldn’t make choices out of survival mode or a scarcity mindset.
• Receive a FREE personal goal-setting resource that transformed Bobby’s relationships where he lives, works, and plays – and can do the same for you.
• Enter 2023 with steadfast peace and clarity only Christ offers.

More Details to Come