Time and money are often seen as the two key resources for building a dream life. However, beyond these material tools, it is intention, repeated action, character and destiny that are the real driving forces. These elements form a logical, powerful and universal path. They are based on a fundamental idea: the dream, a clear and inspiring vision of the life we want to create. But how can we be sure of the road ahead? How do we know that the actions we take on a daily basis bring us closer to the goal of our existence? Questions such as these have always been the subject of much research and investigation, both by people who take a spiritual approach to them and by people who believe that everything can be explained rationally. If we always did what we were supposed to do, we'd never get very far. The road to success is a perilous adventure, a daring journey on which we should take all the resources we need for a winning and fulfilling march.
For almost two decades now, one man has turned dreams, passion, hard work and a positive vision into a way of life, a personal philosophy. And in his many conferences, he never ceases to point out that our only limit is the one we set ourselves. This man is Dr Raoul Ruben, now Chairman & Founder of the prestigious Academy Twenty One organisation, from which he intends to build a prototype of leaders who will be agents of change and impact for the whole of humanity. Following on from his second world tour, this Saturday he orchestrated an unprecedented A21 ORIENTATION in Kinshasa, where he set out four key principles for building a successful and fulfilled life. In this article, we explore how these concepts fit together to turn aspiration into reality. We will highlight the role of the dream as catalyst, intention as starting point, repeated action as driving force, character as foundation, and destiny as outcome.
1- THE DREAM: AN INSPIRING VISION
Dreams are the central pillar of a fulfilling life. It is the dream that pushes us to go beyond our limits and imagine what seems out of reach. However, a dream without clarity and structure remains a mere pipe dream. For it to become a real life project, it must be precisely defined. A dream must be clearly defined: it's not just a question of ‘wanting to be rich’ or ‘being happy’, but of knowing what wealth or happiness mean to you. For example, living in a house by the ocean, creating a successful business, or helping thousands of people through a project. Beyond clarity, a dream must have the capacity to create inspiration. A dream must arouse a passion and excitement that makes you want to take action, even in difficult times. Your dream should reflect your core values. If you pursue a vision that doesn't reflect you, you risk losing your motivation along the way. Your dream acts like a compass. It guides you and pushes you forward, but it's not enough. To make your vision a reality, you need to nurture it with intention.
2- INTENTION: LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE
Intention is the stage at which the dream begins to take shape. It represents your conscious decision to embark on this path. Unlike a wish or desire, an intention implies a firm and determined position: ‘I'm going to do it. Why is intention essential? It channels energy. Instead of scattering your efforts, intention allows you to focus your time, money and actions on a clear objective. It transforms dreams into projects. A concrete intention gives rise to a plan of action. For example, if your dream is to become a writer, setting an intention means starting to write regularly, even if the subjects you want to express yourself on seem vague; just get into the habit of doing it so that it creates a routine and allows you to develop certain automatisms. Intention implies responsibility. By setting an intention, you implicitly agree to take the necessary steps to move forward. For an intention to be effective, it must be accompanied by clarity. Writing down your intentions on paper can solidify them and serve as a constant reminder.
3-REPEATED ACTION : THE ENGINE OF CHANGE
If intention is the seed, repeated action is the water and light that allow the seed to grow. This is where many people give up, because taking action requires constant effort, sometimes in the face of results that are invisible at first. Yet the key to success lies in repetition. Why is repeated action crucial? It creates habits. By repeating an action, it becomes automatic. For example, writing for 30 minutes every morning turns a discipline into a habit. It builds resilience. Obstacles are inevitable, but repeated action helps you overcome discouragement by establishing a routine. It generates exponential results. A small action repeated daily can produce significant changes over the long term. Great successes are not the result of a one-off effort, but of an accumulation of small daily victories. Imagine an entrepreneur who spends 10 minutes every day learning a new skill: after a year, he'll be much more competent than if he'd put it off until later.
4-CHARACTER : FORGOING A RESILIENT PERSONALITY
Character is what keeps you on track when the going gets tough. It is shaped by repeated actions and overcoming hardship. Character isn't just about discipline; it includes qualities such as perseverance, humility and resilience. Sanguines: Their character is often marked by optimism and enthusiasm. However, they can lack rigour and consistency. To succeed, they need to develop patience and the ability to focus on a single objective. Hot-tempered: Hot-tempered people have a strong character, marked by determination and ambition. However, they may find it difficult to channel their anger constructively. Controlling their emotions and calming their impulsive temperament are essential for them. The melancholic: The melancholic's character is often reflective, cautious and analytical. Their challenge lies in their tendency towards negativity and constant self-doubt. Working on self-confidence and accepting imperfections is crucial for them. The phlegmatic: The phlegmatic is generally calm and collected, with a stable character. However, they may lack passion or drive. They need to cultivate a sense of urgency and proactivity to be fully successful. Character is shaped over time and through constant effort.
5-FATE: REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Fate is often perceived as an uncontrollable external force, but in reality it is the direct consequence of our choices and actions. It is shaped by the character we have forged and the efforts we have invested. Ancient stories from long ago established that it was possible for a man to create his own destiny, by following a course of action that guaranteed that success would be achieved. Fate is therefore not a fatal consequence, but the result of our choices and decisions. How can we build an intentional destiny? The answer lies in the ability to follow an ideal that is aligned with our choices, to learn from our mistakes and to know how to use time as a support.
- Aligning our choices. Every decision, no matter how small, must be aligned with your vision. For example, if your dream is to become financially independent, your day-to-day spending and investment choices must reflect this ambition.
- Learn from failure. Destiny is not a path without mistakes, but a journey where every obstacle brings you closer to your goal. Only the arrogant fail to learn from their failures. Failure is proof that you take initiative, that you make an effort. In fact, failure is life's greatest university, and it's with good reason that the successful people we know today have forged their success in the merciless flames of failure.
- Time's support. Time is a powerful ally. When combined with repeated action and strong character, it eventually turns your efforts into lasting success.
Time and money are not goals in themselves, but tools for building the life you want. This path, from dream to intention, to repeated action, to character, and finally to destiny, is universal. It doesn't depend on your current situation, but on your ability to act with clarity and perseverance. No matter where you are today, remember: your dream life is within reach if you commit fully to the process. The dream inspires you, the intention guides you, the action propels you, the character sustains you, and destiny rewards you. All that's left is to get started.
It was on this humorous note that Dr Raoul Ruben concluded this wonderful meeting, a meeting that left the Congolese people speechless, given the truths and information that were released that day. The participants were overwhelmed, and as one they rose to their feet with a round of applause to honour the Chairman, while thanking him for his sacrificial availability. And as if that wasn't enough, Dr Raoul Ruben gave a masterly presentation on the four personality traits and their strengths and challenges in leadership and personal growth. It was a beautiful autopsy in which he highlighted the choleric, the sanguine, the melancholic and the phlegmatic, characteristic personality traits that humanity has inherited. The tour continues, and the next destination is the land of the Amazons of Dahomey, Benin.
