How To Keep Yourself Focused On Your Goals

Early in my career, I heard a quote that went like this: "Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game." Ouch! That statement used to irritate me because it was so true!

Working as a consultant has given me insights as to why people fail to reach their goals. I have worked with over 200 individuals seeking a better life and what I found is that a person's mindset is a more important determinant of if they will achieve their goals than the circumstances they might find themselves in.

When we go through a tough time, we tend to put our focus on our problems instead of concentrating on the solutions. We focus on all the reasons why we can’t do something. The word for that is an excuse. When the going gets hard and we are looking for a way out, any justification will work to derail us from our main goals, any reason is good enough to give us permission not to succeed. What we need to do in these situations is shift our mindset towards our own abilities to change the current situation.

The statement that I mentioned above forces you to think about removing these excuses. It forces you to be a critical thinker and ask questions that will solve your current situation: "Even though I am going through these things in my life, what do I need to do to still make it?" That’s the power behind a statement like that.

What It Takes

If you've never achieved anything truly great in life up to this point then you do not know what it takes to achieve something truly great. Read that again, it's not just a cute little saying. What I mean is that anything in life worth accomplishing WILL inevitably take a lot of work and sacrifice, and will require you to change who you currently are, to become the person you need to be. If you have never had to put yourself through these circumstances in order to achieve anything of significance then the natural tendency is to run away from the discomfort and pain that come from these situations. Making excuse as to why you cannot do something creates a comfort within you.

If you have ever felt this way, if you've had moments in your life where you had to ask yourself if it's worth it, my question to you then is exactly that: "Is it worth it to you?" I cannot answer that question for you, only you are able to. But you have to answer this question honestly. If you were not going through hard times, would you quit working on this goal? When we make decisions based on short-term circumstances, we rob ourselves from our long term results.

Once you determine that what you are doing is part of your life-long goal, then you MUST make it happen! It shouldn't just be something that would be nice to do. If that is the mindset you have then you will certainly give up when things get tough.

Just because you do not see your results right away does not mean they're not on their way. You must not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season you will reap a harvest! Keep your goals right in front of you. Write them down on an index card and keep it in your pocket. Tell your family and friends about your pursuits and ask for their encouragement and support. Post pictures on your fridge and on your walls. Become so fanatical about your future that it is all you think about. If you keep the main thing the main thing, then no excuse will be enough to sway you from your vision.

The main thing is up to you to decide. What is the one thing you want to achieve in this world more than anything? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it? Bring yourself to a point so that when you ask yourself if it is worth it there is not a moment of hesitation in your mind, you answer is: "ABSOLUTELY IT IS!" Take the time to figure that out then go out there and make it happen!