Turning Dreams into Reality

How many of your dreams have drifted away?

In 1993, my parents joined my wife and me on a trip to Seattle that included a road trip down the Pacific coast to southern California. What an unforgettable trip! We saw some spectacular scenery that inspired us to consider God’s power and creativity in the world in which we live.

In Yosemite National Park, California, vistas like Glacier Point Overlook were absolutely breathtaking. The overlook reveals a majestic view of Half Dome, which is a monolith jutting 5,000 feet above the valley floor.

Looking through binoculars we caught glimpses of people actually climbing to the top of Half Dome while holding onto cables. My father and I stood silent for a while and then agreed that someday we would come back and hike to the top of Half Dome. This was a challenge that would seem impossible for either of us, as my dad was 56 at the time and we did not have any major climbing experience. Years passed but neither of us forgot those words we said that day. We caught a vision and set a goal to achieve it.

Fast-forward 11 years to 2004. With a dream not forgotten, we made the commitment to begin training to hike Half Dome. In July of 2005, we arrived in Yosemite National Park. My father, now 67, and I had both trained and prepared for the ascent. What were we thinking? The hike was 15 miles long and almost 5,000 feet of vertical climbing. We started hours before the sun would light our path. In the early stages of the hike we ascended two beautiful water falls and Half Dome seemed to reach to heaven itself. We continued climbing, step by step, vertical foot by vertical foot. It seemed endless. Was this really possible or just a foolish dream of two foolish men?

The minutes soon became hours and the temperature began to rise. Did we bring enough water to get both of us to the top as well as back down? Why did we commit to this? At noon we reached the final ascent, revealing the last 600 feet which were both intimidating and extremely challenging. Those cables we witnessed from the other side of the valley 12 years ago were now right in front of us, and they provided the only way to the top. But with determination and words of encouragement to each other, we finally reached the summit. Aching legs and tired feet reminded us that this climb was even more difficult than we had anticipated, but we had made it! We had accomplished half our goal. Yes, only half, as now we had to make the descent before nightfall. As we gazed across Yosemite Valley, the joy of accomplishment swept over us. It felt as we had climbed Mt. Everest. We had done it! We had accomplished what to us was an almost impossible goal established 12 years before.

Our accomplishment was so satisfying that this past July 2008, we hiked Half Dome again. Not only that, but my father, age 70, along with his two sons, all four of his grandsons (my son was the youngest at 12) and the added bonus of his son- in- law, all made the climb together. I never dreamed that the first successful experience could ever be topped, but standing on Half Dome with three generations of my family was truly unforgettable.

There are few things as satisfying as dreaming a dream, setting a difficult goal, creating a plan to accomplish it, working hard to achieve it, and finally achieving the goal. Accomplishments like this don’t just happen. They require planning, training, at times some detours along the way, and a lot of hard work. Years of experience in both the business and ministry world have taught me that you can reach goals and accomplish them by following 6 planning steps, just like the steps of climbing Half Dome.

Step 1: Know the realities of your present situation.

Surprised? Don’t be. Many people jump right into developing a plan for the future and do not consider the realities of their present circumstances. Understanding the present is essential for determining the future. If we had attempted to climb Half Dome the day after setting that goal, we would have failed because we were not prepared. Your journey to success must start with a known beginning based in reality, not wishful thinking.

What unique challenges does your ministry, career or church face? Are you offering something people really want? Are you prepared to meet the needs of those you seek to serve? What information are you lacking?

Before you move forward, take time to identify the leaders and decision makers of your group. It is ok if they are family members. Next, discuss what is working well and also those things which are not working in your ministry, career or church. Make a list of the top ten things going well as well as the top ten things that are not working.

My father was 56 when we caught the vision for the Half Dome climb. Were either of us ready then? Not at all, but eleven years later we WERE ready.

Step 2: Determine where you want to go by setting measurable goals.

Consider the Half Dome climb. The achievement of that goal is easily measured, either you climbed to the top or you didn’t. Goals must be measurable. Whatever goals you set, you must have a way to measure each goal and a timeline for achieving those goals.

Write down your measurable goals and define timelines for accomplishment. Start with goals addressing your current challenges and continue adding goals that move you toward reaching your vision for your ministry. List the seven most important measurable goals and no more than ten. If you list more than ten goals, you will feel overwhelmed before you even begin the process.
Step 3: Map out your route. What actions steps are needed to accomplish your goals?

What was needed to accomplish the biggest hike in our lives? We developed a plan that included a training program, equipment knowledge, and research information about climbing Half Dome.

Utilize your resources and gather the best information available. Write down each action step required to accomplish your goals along with timelines. This is the heart of the plan, and everyone involved should feel the goals are reachable by executing the action steps.

Step 4: Develop the tools and resources to manage your ministry, career or church.

Very few, if any climbers will reach the top of Half Dome without water and food. Starting your journey with the proper tools and resources is essential in order to reach your goals. Factors might include funding, volunteers, staff, family cooperation, information, equipment, or other resources. Do you have the proper tools that will clearly measure the results of the action steps you are taking to accomplish your goals?

Step 5: Execute, evaluate and adjust. You are now ready to begin your journey and it is time to start executing Steps 3 & 4. You begin your training program, purchase a backpack, do some research determining how long you will need to complete the hike, and you execute your plan.

In the days before our hike I sprained my ankle. Our original plan was to hike Half Dome the day after we arrived in Yosemite, but we had to adjust the plan by waiting several days to allow my ankle to heal. Very few plans unfold exactly the way they are developed. Sometimes you need to create detours in your route to stay on track in accomplishing your goals.

For your ministry, career or church, recognize that everything is subject to change; the economy, people, and circumstances. You must be ready to react by creating backup plans and new routes as you continue on your journey. Flexibility and adaptability is essential.

Step 6: Recap results and start again with step 1: My dad and I now have our eyes set on hiking the Grand Canyon. While hiking Half Dome, we ran short of water, got lost for a brief time, and encountered other unexpected challenges. Evaluating that experience will be extremely beneficial in preparing for and executing our next hike.

Document the progress you make and the challenges you face as you move through your goals. Recap progress and challenges periodically culminating with a year-end review. Continue this cycle as you add more goals.

Final Thoughts: Success is not necessarily based on being the brightest, most gifted or most talented. For some, success seems to come easier than for others. But more important is having a plan, executing the plan, periodically re-evaluating the plan, and finally enjoying the success of accomplishing the plan.