This verse is an excellent reminder—especially for those of us who consider ourselves idea people. As someone who thrives on vision and innovation, I love the feeling I get when I imagine a world inspired and changed through my efforts.

But here’s the reality: ideas can easily get stuck in the conceptual phase. Without action, they never materialize to actually make a difference.

Satya Nadella, in his book Hit Refresh, provides a practical insight for us dreamers. He shares a formula that has stayed with me:
Concept + Capability + Culture = Achievement.
He even went so far as to redefine the “C” in “CEO” as the “Curator of Culture.”

That means we’re not just responsible for generating ideas—we’re accountable for creating an environment where those ideas can flourish. As leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators, we owe it to our families, our teams, and ourselves to build a culture where people are inspired, resourced, and empowered to execute.

It’s time to stop romanticizing ideas and start implementing change. And yes—achieving your goals is DOPE.

Achieving Goals is D.O.P.E.

This isn’t just a catchy acronym—it’s a practical framework I share in my book Lead Last. It walks you through the process of transforming your dreams into results. Here’s how it works:

D – Dream

You have to see yourself accomplishing whatever goal you set.
This is the vision-casting stage—fuel it with belief, hope, and energy.

Example:
I see myself with a body ready to compete for the lead role in Creed IV. I visualize the discipline, the physique, and the purpose behind it.

O – Offload

Don’t worry about structure or perfection here—just get it out of your head.

Write it. Sketch it. Voice memo it. Dump the dream on paper or screen in all its raw, unfiltered form. You’re not creating a plan yet; you’re making space for creativity to flow.

P – Plan

Now we roll up our sleeves.

Start by identifying four legs—the core pillars your dream stands on. For my Creed IV body example, the legs might be:

• Diet
• Cardiovascular workouts
• Strength training
• Rest

Then, walk through the D.O.P. (Dream, Offload, Plan) phases for each of those legs.

Here’s a breakdown of the planning phase for each leg:

• Define Success and Purpose
  
  • What does success look like?
  • Why does this goal matter?
  • How does it align with your purpose?
• Assess Your Readiness
  
  • Are you physically, mentally, spiritually, and resourcefully prepared?
• Identify Key Players
  
  • Who is involved?
  • Who needs to be involved?
• Map Out the Process
  
  • What are the required steps?
  • What’s your timeline?

E – Execute

Here’s where the rubber meets the road.

Start taking action. Measure your progress. And here’s the kicker: celebrate small wins. Every little step forward builds momentum. Keep pressing and pursuing your goals with consistency and focus.

Final Thoughts

Your ideas matter. Your dreams are valid. But their real value is only unlocked when you take intentional action.

So, whether you’re leading a team, launching a business, or working on personal growth—remember:
It’s not enough to dream.
You have to do.

Let’s move from contemplating concepts to implementing change.

That’s what real leadership looks like.
That’s what it means to Lead Last.