Goals, Distractions, & Balance
In my past life, I didn’t enjoy setting goals because I knew from many struggling experiences through the years that I probably wouldn’t reach them. One day, I realized I was using goal setting in a negative way. This new thought flashed into my mind, which I typed up and put on my fridge:
A goal is not a cane to beat yourself with—
it is walking stick
to help you climb the mountains of your life.
Distractions
I know that one of my problems with accomplishing my goals is that I am easily distracted and don’t stay focused on the essential things I really want to accomplish. I recently came across a talk called, “Conquering Life’s Daily Distractions” by Kelly R. Johnson. In his talk, he quotes Michael Crichton, author of Jurassic Park: A Novel.
“A day is like a whole life. You start out doing one thing, but end up doing something else, plan to run an errand, but never get there. . . . And at the end of your life, your whole existence has that same haphazard quality, too. Your whole life has the same shape as a single day.”
Here are two of Johnson’s quotations from his talk that are spiritually encouraging to me:
“I testify that if you will pause and think about the things you really want to achieve in the future and then begin doing the things that are consistent with that desire every day, you will achieve that desired result.”
“We all are faced with defining moments in our lives. Will we do the things on a daily basis that will help us achieve those things we want to achieve? Will we give up those things that keep us from truly coming to the Savior and then following Him?”
Quoatations
I also found a few other quotes on the Internet that reinforce the correct principles needed to accomplish your goals.
"Either you run the day or the day runs you." — Jim Rohn
"You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine." — John C. Maxwell
"Routine is a ground to stand on, a wall to retreat to; we cannot draw on our boots without bracing ourselves against it." — Henry David Thoreau
"Routine, in an intelligent man, is a sign of ambition." — W.H. Auden
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." —Aristotle
Balance
I know when I learn inspiring ideas from excellent books by reliable authors and also learn the Word of God through scripture reading and prayer every day, I find balance in my life. This balance brings me clarity of thought and helps me to stay focused on achieving what’s really important to me. I know that balance will motivate me to reach my goals in a consistent, joyful way!
Scriptures
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
—2 Timothy 1:7
“…By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”
—Alma 37:6