Any goal that you earnestly set
for yourself is achievable. People find that hard to believe, but it is
true. There are two basic steps:
Step 1 - Decide EXACTLY what you
want.
Step 2 - Resolve to PAY THE PRICE
to obtain it.
Do you know why most of us don't
take a stab at going after what we want? It is because 'the price' would
mean discomfort. That is, using up time, energy, and money, which one
may prefer to use for other things. Or expending tremendous
emotional strength, e.g., changing habits, overcoming fears, or facing
rejection, ridicule, or criticism. That's a lot of work!
But what if your life depended on
something, would you 'pay the price'? Say, your doctor said you have
only a few months to live but, if you go for a 5-hour treatment three
times a week and control your food and liquid intake for the rest of
your life, you could survive much longer. WOULD YOU DO IT? Well, a
dialysis patient - a person whose kidneys have failed - undergoes such
treatment; it is the price of survival. Why pay this price? Because life
is so important. It is to that patient.
Backtrack a bit. Are you in good
health today? What if someone told you to take care of your kidneys,
that is, cut down on certain food you like, change your lifestyle,
exercise regularly, and take nutrients daily? Would you do it?
I'll bet your answer would be 'IT DEPENDS'. It will all depend on how
much discomfort it would give you, what you would have to give up. Life
is so important, eh?
What is truly important to you
would depend on your perspective of time. One who thinks only for the
short-term would prefer to stay within the comfort of the status quo (if
it ain't broke, don't fix it). One who thinks for the long-term
would see that 'paying the price' is a discomfort whose benefit is
realized in the future. It's hard to see this benefit, if the FUTURE IS
NOT IN THE PICTURE.
What is truly important? Perhaps
ensuring your kids' education or living comfortably in your golden years
or your spiritual upliftment or attaining professional recognition or
even making amends for a wrong you may have done to someone long ago;
perhaps all of these. Whatever they are, decide them exactly. That's
Step 1.
As for Step 2, remember this.
Every goal is achievable. It may not be easy but, if it's important, the
price would be worth it. So, resolve to get it done!
