People's Influence in Achieving Your Dream.

First and foremost, let us look at what is a DREAM?

Source; online search;

1.  A dream is a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. Wikipedia 
2. A cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal. 

Our dream moment can happen in any stage of our life, and from the start the dream can happen at any time of the day not necessarily at night. We live in a purposeful space where majority if not all, have dreams that they would want to turn into reality, the fact is that we might have the same dreams, but the way we walk through into the reality pathways would definitely be different and of course there is a list of factors that can make us succeed or fail.

I want us to look at the external party in our dream as much as we have the biggest role in making it happen or otherwise. Think of people around you for example; your parents, siblings, co-workers, relatives, spouse, friends, teacher, mentor, etc.

The question is are they supporting you in achieving your dream? And did you know what people say about your dreams might either motivate you, even better see many possibilities in your dreams or in worst scenario lose momentum?

I can classify this situation into two personalities; Dream Shapers and Dream Killers. There are many things that can be classified as either dream killers or shapers. My journey building Wilsen Initiative (Wi) I attribute the success achieved so far to people who believed in me and have continued to support the ideas moving to the next level. Just to mention a few my family, my wife, my mentors, co-workers, Wilsen members and my students.

They made me feel that I was on the right path and should there be any ideas out of the box that could compliment the effort they shared with an open heart to see us all succeed and whenever I failed they still came to my rescue to offer the next ladder for learning.

In our dream journey we are most likely to meet the two people as Dream Shapers or Dream Killers. In my journey I have been lucky to work with many dream shapers as opposed to dream killers in the context of personality. Let me elaborate further who are these people and what influence they might have in your dream pathways.

Seven things your need to know about Dream shapers and Dream Killers;

 Dream Shapers – People who assist or you might partner in reaching a dream. 

1. They listen more to other peoples dreams and see where there is connection to partner or even offer referral. 
2. Their key value is EMPATHY. 
3. They are good candidates for mentors.
4. Nurture the idea to the next level and they understand the dream journey.
5. Very are objective in their feedback loop. 
6. Invest resources that would support their dream and in connection with others. 
7. Open to new ideas, with a good balance of reality check. (SMART Model). 

 Dream Killers – Refers to people who might pose threats or blocks in reaching your desired dream. 

1. They ask why not them.
2. Might compare their journey with yours not necessarily to help but to QUESTION? 
3. Their resource is limited to themselves.
4. They are not a good candidate as a mentor.
5. Impossibilities is their language and attitude in understanding the dream journey might be a challenge. 
6. It takes them time to believe in other people dream.
7. They don't motivate you to be in their company. 

I know there are many factors that can address this subject (dream killers versus dream shapers), but I believe in a dream that is nurtured among people then followed by surrounding circumstances. You need to believe in yourself before other people believe in you, and think of what makes your character, habits and behavior align to the dream you want to achieve.  Build and encourage a community based on a set of values to shape your dreams which at some point is interlinked by either experiences, values, desire etc.

 Inclusion don’t just cling to a dream because it's your own, but run it through the SMART test before you start the journey into realization. SMART Test; S = Specific M = Measurable A = Attainable R = Realistic T = Time bound 

Here is a nice article to read further on Ten Dream Killers and How to Avoid Them 
Get in touch with me for a live session with your youth group. Write to me wilson.masaka[at]gmail.com