What are the Four Elements to Achieving a Dream?
How often have you heard a baseball player talk about how they turned their dream into reality?
For example, “I’ve always dreamed of playing in the World Series.” When I was younger, I dreamt about hitting a walk-off homerun at the major league level,” or “I remember playing Little League and I would dream of making a major league roster.”
Tens of thousands of baseball players have big dreams of accomplishing big things. Yet, so many dreams are unrealized.
For one, there are some factors outside of your control that may work against you. To achieve a big dream, you have certain physical traits, an ability to play at a high level, and some level of opportunity.
However, the biggest reason that most dreams end is because they are just dreams. Dreams have fuzzy targets and not much else. Dreams provide no direction.
Dreams are usually stated as “It would really be nice to (fill in the blank).” Dreams are only realized when you commit to four essential elements:
1. Turning your dream into a goal – Goals are written in positive, specific, and clear terms. If someone reads your goal, they will know precisely what you want. Goals are measurable.
In other words, you can objectively evaluate your progress. In addition, your goals need to be achievable, have personal significance, and have a target date.
2. Creating an action plan – Write a detailed plan highlighting the steps necessary to achieve your goal. When you create an action plan, you give yourself directions to guide you during practice, training, and games.
3. Putting in the work – You can have a goal and plan, but you will make minimal progress without putting in the work. Putting in focused effort is the secret sauce for goal attainment.
4. Evaluating and adjusting – This stage keeps you on the path to achieving your goal. Evaluating your progress allows you to see what is or is not working, allowing you to make the necessary adjustments to your plan.
If your goal truly means something to you, planning and putting in the work is worth the effort.
After a seven-year stint in the minor leagues, catcher Hayden Senger finally achieved his goal when he made the opening day roster for the New York Mets.
The Mets selected Senger in the 24th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Senger’s chances appeared slim, and he even took a job at Whole Foods stocking shelves to support himself and his wife.
However, Senger never gave up on his goal and worked hard throughout his minor league career, eventually being named the Mets’ Minor League Platinum Glove winner in 2023. David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations, commented that Senger earned his place on the Mets’ roster and is viewed as a valuable asset to the team.
STEARNS: “It is a good story. He’s not getting the job because it’s a good story. He’s getting the job because we think he can help us win games.”
Senger stated that all his preparation, planning, struggles, and efforts throughout his career were worthwhile in achieving his dream.
SENGER: “It kind of made it all worth it now that I can say I’m a Major League Baseball player. It feels worth it. There’s a lot of down times, and a lot of times when I felt like I was on top of the world. It’s a roller coaster playing in the Minor Leagues for that long. To be here, it does make it all worth it.”
Turning a dream into reality requires more than just wishing—it demands goal identification, planning, effort, and adaptability.
Many baseball players have dreams, but only those who commit to these essential elements of goal attainment give themselves a chance to succeed.
Commit to the four essential elements of goal attainment:
- Set clear, measurable goals.
- Create an action plan.
- Work the plan.
- Evaluate your progress and adjust your plan if necessary.
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