What took me almost a year to learn I’d like to give to you today for free.
We started Kingdom Dreams in November of 2010. Because I’ve been doing dreams for a while, I assumed that most people are further down the road toward their dream than they actually are.
We learned the following sev…
What took me almost a year to learn I’d like to give to you today for free.
We started Kingdom Dreams in November of 2010. Because I’ve been doing dreams for a while, I assumed that most people are further down the road toward their dream than they actually are.
We learned the following seven lessons the hard way.
1. It’s a long process. It begins with passion and takes years.
Don’t get discouraged when you lose momentum. Recognize what the next stage is and who can help you make a breakthrough.
2. It moves in four definable stages.
Defining passion
Exploring possibilities
Building a plan
Starting it
3. You need a breakthrough to get from one stage to the next.
Going from one stage to the next is hard. You have to confront fear and doubt. You need initiative.
4. Usually a key connection will help you make your breakthrough.
It’s hard to do what you haven’t done. Most of us need someone to show us how they did it or give us advice or a resource to help us go to the next level.
5. You need a team to help realize your dream.
You’ll be tempted to do it on your own. But most of us only have one piece of the puzzle. We need others to be able to build our dream.
6. You need to know the why before the what and the how.
I’m going to Cambodia in a few days to work on stopping the sex trade. I’m doing that because little girls are living in a private hell and they need to be rescued and loved. That’s the “why.” We’re still working on the “how.”
7. 20-somethings struggle to believe in their dreams.
Most of them are stuck in stage 1 of the 4-step process and won’t make the effort to get unstuck.
8. You move toward your dream by serving someone else’s dream first.
The way to fight fear is by getting some experience working for someone who knows what they’re doing. Get a one or two year apprenticeship before you start your own thing. It will save you time in the end.
So good! My friend and I are preparing for a trip to Wisconsin in the next couple of weeks. We’re going to different youth groups doing what God laid on my heart to do last year at this time. August, last year, He laid on my heart to go mobilize other young adults to live up to God’s call and get out of their comfort zones. Basically, dream big with Jesus. Now a year later after much praying and planning and serving with another ministry, God has opened the door to go to youth groups for this specific purpose. We’re doing it through drama/dance and singing. It’s so cool to see this process and now be in the middle of something big and wonderful with Jesus! This just challenges me to dream bigger…
The reason why AIM is considered successful is because of the age group you seek. In your article today, no where do you mention funding or fiance. That is because at the young adult age you seek they are not yet committed to a routine of work and finance. They can Dream and need to dream, “what if…” I love your passion at AIM because it seeks to align their dream with Gods work and in turn it becomes His Glory. You are blessed to have such a dream and more importantly, to do something about it! AMEN
Great advice spoken by an experienced & successful entrepreneur! My only addition to your list of 4 things would be DON’T QUIT! Once started, you must continue to press on for years, maybe decades, to see your dream come to fruition. And even more difficult, when you get sidetracked or have to stop for a season…start again and keep going! I agree with Frank about this generation and their lack of money awareness. I think many lack perseverance too. Too many distractions, maybe?
Thanks Seth for this practical path for launching a dream driven venture. I’d add the importance of researching others who are further down the road in achieving results in the area you are pursuing. For example…there have been over 500 new nonprofits created in the past six months focusing on human trafficking. Let’s pray that some emerge with tangible solutions to this horrific crime. AIM has that kind of track record and I know that is your heart. Blessings and always…
Fantastic framework and lessons of following your dreams! I wonder if the point that Glenn and Frank made about this generation’s lack financial awareness is ultimately positive or detrimental in the long run. I can see how initially it can open ones mind up to larger dreams as not to be hindered by financial barriers and allow one to trust in God for provision.
However I have also seen how neglecting financial responsibilities has been a dream killer or serious hindrance in organizations/individuals helping larger groups or be more more effective in ministry.
What is the balance?… Or is that the beauty of the “body” of Christ where some who are more financially minded/gifted can help the dreamers? Maybe very few individuals possess both the determined dreaming and financial capabilities simultaneously, so we lean on each other. What do you think….
(sorry for being lengthy!)
So good! My friend and I are preparing for a trip to Wisconsin in the next couple of weeks. We’re going to different youth groups doing what God laid on my heart to do last year at this time. August, last year, He laid on my heart to go mobilize other young adults to live up to God’s call and get out of their comfort zones. Basically, dream big with Jesus. Now a year later after much praying and planning and serving with another ministry, God has opened the door to go to youth groups for this specific purpose. We’re doing it through drama/dance and singing. It’s so cool to see this process and now be in the middle of something big and wonderful with Jesus! This just challenges me to dream bigger…
The reason why AIM is considered successful is because of the age group you seek. In your article today, no where do you mention funding or fiance. That is because at the young adult age you seek they are not yet committed to a routine of work and finance. They can Dream and need to dream, “what if…” I love your passion at AIM because it seeks to align their dream with Gods work and in turn it becomes His Glory. You are blessed to have such a dream and more importantly, to do something about it! AMEN
Excellent, Seth. Here’s to dreaming with you all!
i want to steal these thoughts and call them my own.
Great advice spoken by an experienced & successful entrepreneur! My only addition to your list of 4 things would be DON’T QUIT! Once started, you must continue to press on for years, maybe decades, to see your dream come to fruition. And even more difficult, when you get sidetracked or have to stop for a season…start again and keep going! I agree with Frank about this generation and their lack of money awareness. I think many lack perseverance too. Too many distractions, maybe?
Thanks Seth for this practical path for launching a dream driven venture. I’d add the importance of researching others who are further down the road in achieving results in the area you are pursuing. For example…there have been over 500 new nonprofits created in the past six months focusing on human trafficking. Let’s pray that some emerge with tangible solutions to this horrific crime. AIM has that kind of track record and I know that is your heart. Blessings and always…
Good advice, Glenn and Butch. I’d definitely add those to my list!
Brother Seth you are too correct about pursuing your dream.
Adding to what you have presented are;
UNDERSTAND YOUR DREAM,
INTERNALIZE IT
THEN LIVE IT.
I really want people to know the calling time and separation time.
Sounds like a great seminar to have with our interns!
Fantastic framework and lessons of following your dreams! I wonder if the point that Glenn and Frank made about this generation’s lack financial awareness is ultimately positive or detrimental in the long run. I can see how initially it can open ones mind up to larger dreams as not to be hindered by financial barriers and allow one to trust in God for provision.
However I have also seen how neglecting financial responsibilities has been a dream killer or serious hindrance in organizations/individuals helping larger groups or be more more effective in ministry.
What is the balance?… Or is that the beauty of the “body” of Christ where some who are more financially minded/gifted can help the dreamers? Maybe very few individuals possess both the determined dreaming and financial capabilities simultaneously, so we lean on each other. What do you think….
(sorry for being lengthy!)