PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST Special Report by Billy Toledo, Certified John Maxwell Team Member

Put Your Dream to The Test

If I were to ask you, what is your dream? Would you be excited to tell me or embarrassed? Would you be able to

tell me how you’ll achieve it or will you be stuck because you’ve never given any thought on how you would

achieve it? Do you even have a dream? Because you are reading this report, you may be in the same position I use

to be in. I had a dream but was unsure of the steps on how to make my dream a reality; however, that can all

change now for you, just like it did for me.

In this report you’ll learn – as I explain in my own words – the 10 questions that will assist you in gaining clarity of

your dream and aid you in discovering the needed steps to accomplish your dream. Put Your Dream to The Test

was written by my mentor, inspirational speaker and New York Times Bestselling Author John C. Maxwell. This

book has helped thousands of people live a fulfilled life of significance by allowing them to do what it is they love,

myself included.

In this report you will:

 Gain clarity of your dream

 Discover the strategy toward obtaining your dream

 Understand the cost and realize you are worth it

The Ownership Question: Is My Dream Really My Dream?

“Whatever you think, be sure it is what you think; whatever you want, be sure it is what you want; whatever you

feel, be sure it is what you feel.” – T.S. Eliot

Throughout high school and in my younger adult life, I had many dreams that I ended up pursing because other

people who I looked up to, influenced my decisions. One time I wanted to be an architect, another time I wanted

to be a police officer. One time I wanted to be a professional sports coach, another time I wanted to be a

sponsored fitness athlete. Each time I changed my mind and changed my dream, I wasted precious days and

months of doing things to pursue those dreams I had no real desire of pursuing. Each dream was a seed planted in

my mind by someone else who said I would be a great architect...cop...etc...

Below Mr. Maxwell explains 4 common reasons why people have trouble identifying their dream:

1) Being discouraged from dreaming by others

a) What discouragement have you experienced by others in your personal and professional life?

b) How did it impact you?

c) What did you learn?

2) Being hindered by past disappointments and hurts

a) Disappointment is the gap between expectation and reality. Describe a significant disappointment in the

past and how it impacted you.

b) What would you do differently in hindsight?

3) Being in the habit of settling for average

a) In what areas has this applied to you in the past?

b) In what areas have you settled today?

4) Having the lack of confidence to pursue their dream

a) How do you currently demonstrate confidence in the pursuit of your dream?

b) If you were to demonstrate greater confidence in your pursuit, what else would you be doing? What is

stopping you from doing it?

PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST Special Report by Billy Toledo, Certified John Maxwell Team Member

3

If you haven’t answered the Ownership question with a resounding yes, take the time to meditate and reflect on

your gifts and how they have positively impacted others.

Ask yourself:

1) What would I do if I had no limitations?

2) What would I do if I had unlimited resources?

3) What would I do If I knew I couldn’t fail?

4) What would I do if I only had five years to live?

Mr. Maxwell says that you must be willing to bet on yourself and lead your life, instead of just accepting it as it is.

Our talent, purpose and potential always go hand in hand, and you should believe in your dream regardless of

what others may think. You wouldn’t have been given the dream without already having the abilities to obtain

within you.

The Clarity Question: Do I Clearly See My Dream?

“If you have a clear vision, you will eventually attract the right strategy. If you don’t have a clear vision, no strategy

will save you.” – Mike Hyatt

Clear dreams make ideas specific instead of just general. In the beginning of every new year, many people have

the resolution to “losing weight,” but lose weight is not specific enough. Having a desired target weight that is

specific affirms purpose and helps determine priorities.

If you can’t see your dream with great clarity in your imagination, it will never manifest itself into physical reality.

Ask yourself:

1) Can I describe my dream in detail?

2) What will it look like?

3) How will I know when I’ve obtained it?

4) How does my dream change my priorities?

To gain clarity of your dream, begin by writing down a detailed description of your dream. Write down as many

details as possible and don’t be afraid to DREAM BIG! Break it down into as many measurable pieces as possible.

The goal is to make your dream as clear and specific as possible. Remember, only those who are able to see their

dream are able to seize their dream.

The Reality Question: Am I Depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream?

“Shallow men believe in luck.... Strong men believe in cause and effect.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

With respect to my mentor Mr. Maxwell, this is one teaching we don’t see eye to eye on because I do believe “If I

can see it, I can achieve it;” however, I’ll add it takes tremendous discipline and continuous work toward the

development of achieving the dream to make it possible. Tyrone Curtis “Muggsy” Bogues was a tiny guy all his life,

but he had a dream of wanting to play in the NBA, a sport with some of the tallest athletes in the world. But Mr.

Bogues didn’t allow his height to be the determining factor that would make his dream become only a fantasy.

Mr. Bogues was 5’3’, weighed around 135lbs and he played point guard for 14 seasons in the NBA. There were key

factors that Mr. Bogues did that turned him into a dream catcher (Mr. Maxwell has them as Dream Builders in the

following list) instead of a fantasizer, below is the difference:

PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST Special Report by Billy Toledo, Certified John Maxwell Team Member

4

Fantasizers Dream Builders

Rely on luck Rely on discipline

Focus on the destination Focus on the journey

Cultivate unhealthy expectations Cultivate healthy discontent

Minimize the value of work Maximize the work they do

Look for excuses Lead to action

Create inertia Generate momentum

Breed isolation Promote teamwork

Wait Initiate

Avoid personal risk Embrace risk as necessary

Make others responsible Make themselves responsible

Ask yourself:

1. What is my dream?

2. What are my strengths and weaknesses?

3. What good habits do I need to develop and what bad habits do I need to get rid of?

4. What separates my dream from reality?

5. Where does reality interfere with my dream?

6. What will the journey of my dream bring me?

7. What aspect of achieving my dream are outside of my control?

8. What is in my control?

Reality is the foundation of your dream. You must match your daily habits with your dream and never stop

improving towards your dream, even when you think you’ve accomplished it.

*One important side note... If you have a strength that is valuable for the dream, it will take less effort to obtain

the dream. Maximum Strength + Maximum Effort = Maximum Results.

Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player in the NBA because he continued to develop his strengths;

however, when he left to play professional baseball in the MLB, he had below average stats.

The Passion Question: Does my dream compel me to follow it?

“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.” – John Ruskin

Michael Jackson’s passion for music was unlike any other artist. During an interview as a young kid, Michael was

asked “you really love Music, don’t you Michael?” Michael responded in saying “I am music.” Wow... Michael was

so passionate about music it became who he was, and millions of people all over the world benefited from that

passion.

Ask yourself:

1. What are the specifics of my dream that make me passionate about it?

2. What is it about my dream that will bring me great joy?

3. How does my dream stretch me to extract more of my talent and potential?

4. What in the world upsets me, that I may be part of its solution?

5. If money was not an issue, what is it that I would do for free?

Where do you fall on the Passion Scale?

10. My passion is so hot, it sets other people on fire

PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST Special Report by Billy Toledo, Certified John Maxwell Team Member

5

9. I can’t imagine my life without my dream

8. I willingly sacrifice other important things for it

7. I am fired up by it and often preoccupied with it

6. I enjoy it as one of my interest

5. I can take it or leave it

4. I prefer not to think about it

3. I go out of my way to avoid it

2. I put it on my list of least favorite things

1. I would rather have a root canal without anesthesia

If you do what you love, you will love what you are doing, it won’t matter your age, sex, ethnicity or circumstances.

Being passionate about something pulls us into action instead of us needing to get a push, where naturally we

resist being pushed. Like most people, you will have to follow your passion for a long time before you reap any

external reward but when the reward comes, it’ll be worth it.

The Pathway Question: Do I have a strategy to reach my dream?

“Successful generals make plans to fit circumstances, but do not try to create circumstances to fit plans.” – George

S. Patton Jr.

My baby brother Jake used to compete in competitive powerlifting. He went from being very pudgy to “a beast,”

is what other people call him when they see him lift tremendous amounts of weight. He recently qualified to

compete at “Worlds” in Moscow Russia, where he would have competed against some of the best in the world.

But in the beginning, when Jake said he would qualify for Worlds, Jake knew he needed a strategy to get him there.

Normal weight lifting and dieting based off of his knowledge would not be enough, Jake needed a knowledgeable

powerlifting coach, a knowledgeable nutrition coach and a ridiculous amount of discipline to get him there.

Mr. Maxwell shares an approach that will be useful to all dreams based off of the word secure.

State your position – where are you now?

Examine all of your actions – what actions must you take daily to get you closer to your dream?

Consider all of your options – what parts of your strategy are you willing to alter to move forward?

Utilize all of your resources – what resources do you have at your disposal?

Remove all of your nonessentials – what are you currently engaged in that doesn’t move you toward your

dream?

Embrace all of your challenges – what are the expected obstacles you may face and can they be avoided? How

can you prepare yourself for them?

Use your answers to write out daily disciplines, monthly goals and long-term goals. As you continue on your

journey you will have to make adjustments but your adjustments will increase your chances for success.

The People Question: Have I included the people I need to realize my dream?

“It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job

than you can do alone.” – Andrew Carnegie

No matter what your dream is, you are going to have to learn to work with people. You will have to build a team.

Using his years of experience as a “leadership guru,” Mr. Maxwell found the following to be true:

-Some people have a dream but no team – their dream is impossible.

PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST Special Report by Billy Toledo, Certified John Maxwell Team Member

6

-Some people have a dream but a bad team – their dream is a nightmare.

-Some people have a dream and are building a team – their dream has potential.

-Some people have a dream and a great team – their dream in inevitable.

Ask yourself:

1. Do I have a team?

2. What qualities are required in my dream team?

3. Do members of my team have strengths to compliment my weaknesses?

4. Who inspires me in my team and who doesn’t?

5. Who gives honest feedback that I often don’t want to hear?

Mr. Maxwell goes on saying that “the type of people you will need to include in your dream, will depend on your

dream.” And it is our duty as the leader to transfer the dream logically, emotionally and visually. As the leader,

you must communicate a realistic understanding of the situation today, you must show the dream from their

perspective and they must be able to see the dream in order to buy into it... then you empower them to take

action.

The Cost Question: Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?

“The price of anything is the amount of life you are willing to exchange for it.” – Henry David Thoreau

Everyone who has ever achieved their dream, first had to pay the price to get it. The price that we pay is

dependent upon the dream itself, where we are when we start our pursuit of the dream, and our individual

circumstance that we must overcome. On my journey in the development of becoming a speaker, coach and

author, I first had to pay cost and not all cost are monetary. I had to start getting up earlier in the day and going to

bed later to read. I had to exit my comfort zone to overcome my insecurity of speaking in front of people because

of my slurred speech. I missed a few family gatherings and even some holidays to attend seminars that I invested

in, and I had to make other sacrifices along the way as well. You will be faced with decisions of “giving up to go up”

also.

Ask yourself:

1. How much am I willing to pay for my dream?

2. How often am I willing to pay it?

3. How will I handle the criticism I will face?

4. How will I overcome my fears?

5. How hard am I willing to work?

6. What am I not willing to pay? Sacrificing your values are not worth paying.

The cost of the dream will always be in correlation with the size of the dream. If you are unwilling to pay the price

of the dream, you’ll need to change your dream or you’ll have to change what you are willing to pay. Some cost

will bring about fear, that’s ok. When your faith is greater than your fear, you will conquer the fear... Feed your

faith and starve your fear.

The Tenacity Question: Am I moving closer to my dream?

“The man who wins may have been counted out several times, but he didn’t hear the referee.” – H. E. Jensen

People who live their dreams refuse the idea of them not accomplishing it. They take consistent action and they

live by the Rule of 5, which says “every day, you must do five specific things that will move you closer to your

dream, and eventually you will get it.” The rule of five is illustrated by the following teaching: If you were to take

PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST Special Report by Billy Toledo, Certified John Maxwell Team Member

7

an axe and take five swings at an oak tree every day in the same spot, eventually the tree will come down. You

don’t need to take ten swings one day or twenty swings, you just need to be consistent in your same efforts daily.

Ask yourself:

1. In what ways have I been tenacious towards my dream?

2. What’s the biggest challenge I’m facing right now?

3. In what situations have I quit in the past and regret it?

4. What brought me to the decision to quit?

5. How would I approach the same position today?

6. In what ways have I prevailed when others doubted me?

7. What made me so resilient then?

Christopher Morley said “Big shots are only little who shots who kept on shooting.” To be tenacious towards your

dream you remove “quit” from your vocabulary and you have to create empowering beliefs and more productive

habits. You will have to be disciplined and stay consistent in your efforts because your resources will come to a

stop as soon as you stop working. The time to act is now, and know the only way to predict the future is to create

it yourself.

“To move closer to your dream... Recognize quitting is more about who you are then where you are.” – John C.

Maxwell

The Fulfillment Question: Does working towards my dream bring satisfaction?

“Achieving a dream is about more than just what you accomplish. It’s about who you become in the process.”

If you’ve answered yes to the Cost Question and the Tenacity Question, you are ready to make the required

sacrifices and probably won’t give up on your dream when things get difficult. But Mr. Maxwell says there is one

more question that lets you know if your dream is worth all of the effort, time and attention you will be giving it...

The Fulfillment Question: Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?

During your dream you will encounter what Seth Godin calls “The Gap.” Mr. Godin goes on to say, “to reach our

dreams, we have to go through the gap between conception and realization. The greater the dip in the gap, the

greater the potential for rewards because the dip weeds out others who may be trying to do the same thing. The

dip of the gap is the learning curve one must overcome to achieve the dream.”

Ask yourself:

1. What’s the most challenging part of the process for me currently?

2. What makes it so fulfilling?

3. Does my dream scare me as much as it excites me?

4. What do I find most rewarding about the process?

5. What have I learned as a result of the process so far and how has it changed me?

Fulfilled people will still be fulfilled in the gap, they appreciate each step on the journey. Mr. Maxwell goes on in

his teaching that fulfillment has nothing to do with results, and fulfilled people embrace life as both good and bad.

Successful people do what they know they should do even when they don’t feel like doing it, and in return they

feel good. Unsuccessful people wait till they feel good to do what they know they should do, and in return, they

neither feel good nor do what is right. In the end, it’s not the journey we end up conquering when obtaining our

dream, it is ourselves. Enjoy each small step of progress in the gap, The Great Wall of China was built by laying

one brick at a time.

PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST Special Report by Billy Toledo, Certified John Maxwell Team Member

8

The Significance Question: Does my dream benefit others?

“If a man for whatever reason has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to

himself.” – Jacques-Yves Cousteau

The people who we grew up studying in our History class were not people who had and owned nice things, they

are the people who lived in a way that served others. They were selfless individuals whose dreams lived on after

their passing because they lived for others.

Ask yourself:

1. In what way does my dream create significance for others?

2. What meaning and value does it bring?

3. In what way do I ‘wear’ my dream?

4. What will I do to maintain and nurture my dream?

5. Which of my personal values are reflected in my dream?

Step out of your comfort zone to develop the needed habits to help make your dream one of significance. Envision

who you will be once the dream is accomplished and be that person. Your dream is not an addendum to your life,

it is your life. Continue to maintain and care for your dream, not allowing anyone or anything to kill it. Lastly,

share the dream with your team, empower them and accomplish the dream together.

In closing, Mr. Maxwell shares an old Middle Eastern blessing that says, “When you were born, you cried, and the

world rejoiced. May you live your life so that when you die, the world will cry, and you will rejoice.”

Thank you for allowing me to share this report with you. I hope this report on John C. Maxwell’s book Put Your

Dream to The Test has helped you gain clarity of your dream and has inspired you to pursue it, so you can live a life

full of fulfillment and of significance. I also would like to encourage you to purchase the book for yourself so you

can have all the value that it offers with its exercises.

9/18/19 

Dr. James W. Goll 

James W. Goll is the president of God Encounters Ministries and has traveled around the world sharing the love of Jesus, teaching and imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry, and life in the Spirit. 

He has recorded numerous classes with corresponding study guides and is the author of more than forty books, including The Seer, The Lost Art of Intercession, The Coming Israel Awakening, and The Lifestyle of a Prophet. 

www.GodEncounters.com 

  

Prayer 

Lesson Four: Sensitivity 

"The cooing of doves is heard in our land.” 

Song of Solomon 2:12 

I. Being Sensitive 

Dictionary Definition
1. Sensitive – adjective 

a. quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences: the new method of protein detection was 

more sensitive than earlier ones | spiders are sensitive to vibrations on their web. 

I. Being Sensitive 

Dictionary Definition 

1. Sensitive – adjective
• easily damaged, injured, or distressed by slight 

changes: the committee called for improved 

protection of wildlife in environmentally sensitive areas. 

1 

9/18/19 

I. Being Sensitive 

b. (of photographic materials) prepared so as to respond rapidly to the action of
light. • (of a market) unstable and liable to quick changes of price because of influences. 

c. kept secret or with restrictions on disclosure to avoid endangering security: h e was suspected of passing sensitive information to other countries. 

I. Being Sensitive 

2. Sensitive – Noun
This is a person who
is believed to respond to occult influences. 

3. Origin of the Word
It comes from the late Middle English (in the 

sense, ‘sensory’): from Old
French sensitif, ive or medieval Latin sensitivus, 

formed irregularly
from Latin sentire ‘feel’. The current senses date from the early 19th century. 

I. Being Sensitive 

1. Sensitivity – the quality or condition of being sensitive.
   
2. Sensitivities –
   a person's feelings which might be easily offended
   or hurt; sensibilities: the rules that matter are practical
   ones that respect local sensitivities.
   

B. A Double Meaning 

The word sensitivity thus has a double meaning:
1. The capacity of being easily hurt. 

2. The capacity of being aware of 

the needs and emotions of others. 

C. Being Easily Hurt 

The first definition appears to emphasize a weakness in character and personality. This brings to mind the phrase that one has to “walk on egg shells” around another so as to avoid disturbing or upsetting them 

and thus have to deal with an adverse reaction. 

D. Being Aware of the Needs of Others 

The second definition appears to emphasize a strength in character and personality. It is the ability to be moved by the needs of others in such a manner in order to bring relief, alleviation of pain or a solution to a problem. 

2 

9/18/19 

II. Highly Sensitive People 

A. A Distinct Category of People 

HSP is a helpful terminology recognized in recent years by notable leaders in the fields of psychology and psychotherapy. It helps to identify and understand a special category or group of people who by birth and or by the way they 

have been shaped by life to be more sensitive than others. 

The National Bestseller, The Highly Sensitive Person, is a great tool in helping one grow in understanding in this arena. An acronym has been developed that describes this special group of Highly Sensitive People: D.O.E.S. 

B. 

“D” is for Depth of Processing
At the foundation of the trait of a HSP is the tendency to process information more deeply. The depth of which one processes in their heart and soul is on the deeper side. They are often high contemplators and function with a good intuition. 

C. 

“O” is for Over-Stimulation 

The HSP will tend to notice every little thing in a situation, and if the situation is complicated, intense, cluttered, or goes on too long, it seems to wear them out due to the amount of stimulation they are incurring. Others, not noticing as much data to process, 

will not be as likely to tire out as quickly. 

D. “E” is for Emotional Reactivity 

The highly sensitive person tends to react more to both positive and negative experiences. Not only do they experience strong emotions, but also according to brain function studies, they exhibit higher areas of thinking and perceiving. E is also for empathy. HSP’s do not just know how 

someone else feels, but actually feel that way themselves to some extent. 

E. 

“S” is for Sensing the Subtle 

To the highly sensitive person, this quality is one that they are keenly aware of; the little things that others tend to miss. The awareness of subtleties is useful in a number of ways from simple pleasures in life to strategizing a response based on the awareness of others’ 

nonverbal cues about their mood or trustworthiness. 

3 

9/18/19 

III. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit 

John 3:8 states, "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." NASV 

A. Names of the Holy Spirit in Scripture 

The Holy Spirit is known by many names in the Bible and each one of them portrays an aspect of His nature. 

1. Seven Spirits of God – Isaiah 11:1-3 2. Spirit of Christ – 1 Peter 1:11
3. Spirit of Prophecy – Revelation 19:10 4. Spirit of Glory – 1 Peter 4:14 

5. Comforter – John 14:26
6. Eternal Spirit – Hebrews 9:14
7. Spirit of Promise – Ephesians 1:13 

8. The Promise of the Father – Luke 24:49 

B. Symbols of the Holy Spirit in Scripture 

Because He is an invisible Spirit, the Scriptures use metaphorical symbols to describe Holy Spirit and His activities. All of these symbols tell us something about the very nature of the Holy Sprit and about how He wants to relate to us and us to Him. 

1. Dove – Matthew 3:16 2. Water – John 4:14
3. Rain – Joel 2:23
4. Oil – Psalm 89:20 

5. Wind – John 3:8; Acts 2:2
6. Fire – Luke 3:16; Isaiah 4:4, Acts 2:3 

C. PositiveResponsestotheHolySpirit 

• Seek for Him
• Honor Him
• Give Him Freedom and Liberty • Be Born of the Spirit
• Receive the Holy Spirit
• Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit • Be continuously Filled
• Be Led by the Holy Spirit
• Pray in the Spirit 

• Hear the Spirit
• Walk in the Spirit 

D. Negative Responses to the Holy Spirit 

• Do Not be Ignorant of the Spirit of God
• Do Not Quench the Spirit
• Do Not Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit • Do Not Insult the Holy Spirit
• Do Not Grieve the Spirit
• Do Not Tempt the Spirit of God
(For more on these subjects see my books 

Passionate Pursuit and Living a Supernatural Life.) 

IV. Sensitivity of The Holy Spirit 

A. Welcoming the Holy Spirit’s Presence 

We are to welcome the Holy Spirit’s manifested presence. We should desire His moving. We should roll out the red carpet and give Him control of our lives and ministries. Some welcome Him as a special guest to our or their house. This is good, but nearly inadequate. He is more than a special guest; He is the owner of 

the House because He is God! Give Him liberty. Holy Spirit, You are welcome here! 

4 

9/18/19 

B. Treat the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Godhead 

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Godhead just as Jesus is the Second Person of the Godhead (see John 1:1). We must never make the mistake of calling Him “it”. The Holy Spirit has a personality and we must learn to relate to Him in such a manner. He is a person, someone with a mind, a will and emotions. He is the third divine person of the eternal Godhead, co- equal, co-eternal, and co-existent, just like the Father and the Son. 

C. 

The Dove that Comes and Remains
The Holy Spirit descended and remained on Jesus (see Luke 3:22). The Holy Spirit was at home with Jesus. This is to be our goal as well. Let’s learn to cultivate intimacy towards the sensitive Dove of God that causes Him to want to abide and remain on a person, congregation, city or region. 

V. Ponderings and Prayers 

A. 

Finding Out What Pleases the Lord 

Ephesians 5:10 states that we are to, “Find out what pleases the Lord.” Do you want to entertain the Holy Spirit or do you want to please the Holy Spirit of God? When it comes to a relationship with a person, it can become fun to learn to do those things that please the other person. 

B. Making Adjustments 

No matter your gifting, no matter your personality bent, no matter your personal sensitivity level, to grow in a relationship, you must learn to make adjustments. Learn what the Dove of God loves. Make adjustments. Yes, let’s grow in both sensitivity to and of the Holy Spirit. 

Let’s Pray Together! 

Father, in Jesus magnificent name, we present ourselves to You. We bring our personalities, our sensitivity levels and our insensitive areas. We want the Holy Spirit to descend and remain upon our lives like He has done with Jesus. 

Use us. Shape us Fill us.
Empower us. Mold us after Your
will and ways. We declare that You
are the potter and we are the clay. We want to do that which is pleasing in your sight. Give us a heart of tenderness for Your Kingdom’s sake. Amen and Amen! 

Lesson Four: Sensitivity 

"The cooing of doves is heard in our land.” 

Song of Solomon 2:12 

5 

9/18/19 

Prayer 

6