The Difference between a Visionary and a Dreamer

Churches are notorious for talking about vision at the start of the New Year. In fact, many churches actually come up with a new “Vision Theme” every year that they role out to the church in January. There’s getting ready to be a lot of “vision talk” in churches across America in the next couple of weeks. The problem is there is a lot of confusion in the church about what vision and being a visionary actually is.

Often churches confuse being a good communicator with being a visionary. Just because you can get people to buy into you or your idea doesn’t make you’re a visionary. Other times vision comes packaged as a compelling idea. Just because you have an idea doesn’t mean you’re a visionary.

What I’ve discovered is that most churches are chasing a dream, not following a vision. Here’s the difference:

Cost

Dreamer: Dreams are fun, fantastical, and free. It doesn’t cost anything to dream dreams.
Visionary: Visionaries are willing to pay the price to see their vision become reality.

Focus

Dreamer: Dreamers are full of ideas, bouncing from one dream to the next.
Visionary: Visionaries have a determined laser focus on the vision.

Deadlines

Dreamer: “Someday” and “eventually” are common language for the dreamer.
Visionary: Visionaries build action plans with real deadlines that get them to the vision.

Impact

Dreamer: A combination of chasing ideas with a short attention span rarely leads to a great impact.
Visionary: Focused attention that moves you towards a specific vision coupled with a willingness to pay the price can lead to tremendous impact.

What are some other differences between dreamers and visionaries that you’ve observed? I’d love to hear your thoughts, leave a comment!


Comments

4 responses to “The Difference between a Visionary and a Dreamer”

  1. Speaking from experience, it can be hard to jump from the Dreamer track to become a visionary. Old habits die hard, but having a new habit to replace the old one does make it easier. Your tips fit into forming a structure for new habits. Thanks for them. Also, you mentioned communicating “vision” to others. Leadership demands that vision development include the entire team so that everyone has a buy-in and is ready to communicate with the stakeholders in a timely fashion and a coordinated effort. Change is fun isn’t it?

  2. Hey Paul, I also realized visionaries have a habit of questioning and examining and reexamining their visions. Dreamers tend to see only the good side of the dream.

  3. Thanks, Paul, this is something I needed to hear. Appreciate the good word.
    I blog for small church & bivocational pastors… would love to collaborate with you on an ebook I’m working on. If you’re interested, it’s a small project, small commitment. Let me know via email. Thanks, Darrell

    1. Paul Alexander Avatar
      Paul Alexander

      Happy to connect and talk about it Darrell. Drop me an email through the contact form on my blog.

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