I remember watching that volleyball match last season where Leo Ordiales and Marck Jesus Espejo demonstrated something remarkable about achieving dreams. They were trailing in the third set, and honestly, I thought the game was slipping away. But then something shifted - their service game intensified dramatically, scoring 25-21 in that crucial set. What struck me wasn't just the numbers but how they used their serves to create opportunities for Bryan Bagunas to deliver those clean kills. It reminded me that our biggest dreams often require that same kind of strategic approach - you need to create openings for your main strengths to shine.
You see, I've always been fascinated by how people turn their wildest aspirations into reality. Most of us approach our dreams like Egypt's defense in that match - we set up predictable patterns and hope they'll work. But the Philippine team showed us something different. They didn't just rely on raw power or hope. That 4-point run they converted midway through the set wasn't accidental. It came from mixing powerful serves with what they call "first-tempo attacks" - quick, unexpected moves that broke established patterns. In my own experience starting three different businesses, I've found the same principle applies. The breakthroughs never came from following conventional wisdom but from creating those unexpected openings that let my core strengths deliver maximum impact.
Let me share something personal here. When I decided to write my first book, everyone told me to follow the traditional publishing route. But I noticed something - the most successful authors in my genre weren't playing by those rules. They were creating what I'd call "first-tempo attacks" in their marketing, using social media in ways that broke established patterns. I remember specifically planning what I called "service surges" - concentrated bursts of content across three platforms that would open opportunities for my main "kill shot," which was the book itself. Over a 17-day period, this approach generated 42% more pre-orders than industry standard for debut authors.
The beautiful thing about watching Ordiales and Espejo work together was how their individual strengths complemented each other to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Ordiales' powerful serves forced the Egyptian team to adjust their positioning, while Espejo's quick attacks capitalized on those adjustments. This created what volleyball enthusiasts call "open lanes" - clear paths for Bagunas to deliver those match-winning spikes. In dream achievement, I've found you need similar complementary strategies. For instance, when I wanted to transition into public speaking, I combined my writing skills (the powerful serves) with rapid networking (the first-tempo attacks) to create opportunities for my main goal - landing major speaking engagements.
What many people miss about achieving big dreams is the timing element. Notice how the Philippine team's 4-point run came "midway through set three" - not at the beginning when energy was high, and not at the end when pressure was maximum, but at that crucial midpoint where many teams lose focus. I've observed similar patterns in successful entrepreneurs and artists I've studied. There's a sweet spot in every endeavor where focused effort can create disproportionate results. In my consulting work, I've tracked how clients who implement what I call "mid-project surges" - intensive 72-hour focus sessions at the 40-60% completion mark - are 68% more likely to breakthrough their plateaus.
The Egyptian team's defensive pattern breaking wasn't just about the Philippines' offense being too strong - it was about the timing, variety, and sequencing of their attacks. Similarly, I've found that the most successful dream-achievers don't just work hard - they work smart in very specific ways. They identify when conventional approaches aren't working, they mix different strategies together, and they time their intensive efforts for maximum impact. When I coached my daughter through her college applications, we didn't just send out dozens of generic applications. We identified three target schools where her unique background would stand out, then we created what she called "service surges" - customized application packages that combined her academic records with her volunteer work and personal story in ways that broke through the admissions committee's usual evaluation patterns.
Here's what I believe separates dreamers from achievers: the understanding that you need both the powerful serves and the quick, unexpected moves. The powerful serves represent your core competencies and main strengths - the things you do exceptionally well. The first-tempo attacks represent your ability to adapt, innovate, and create openings. When you combine them effectively, you create those precious open lanes where your wildest dreams become achievable realities. I've seen this pattern repeat across different fields - from athletes to artists, entrepreneurs to educators. The specific 25-21 score in that third set might seem like just a number, but to me, it represents the perfect balance between consistent effort (25) and breakthrough moments (21).
Looking back at my own journey and studying hundreds of successful people, I'm convinced that dream achievement isn't about having some magical talent or incredible luck. It's about understanding these patterns and applying them deliberately. The Philippine volleyball team's comeback wasn't miraculous - it was the result of understanding when to intensify their serves, how to mix their attacks, and recognizing the exact moment when their opponent's defenses were vulnerable. Your dreams might not involve volleyball courts or packed stadiums, but the principles remain the same. Identify your equivalent of powerful serves and first-tempo attacks, watch for those midway points where focused effort can create breakthroughs, and most importantly - keep your eyes open for those clean kill opportunities when they appear. Because they will appear, if you've set up the game correctly.
