keep your focus!

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your heart and all your soul."  Ecc. 9:10 

There is so much that competes for our time and attention. Sometimes we are fooled into thinking that we need to attach ourselves to certain things or activities because on the surface, they appear to be necessary. The question we should always ask ourselves is this; will these things deter or hinder me from the goal I'm trying to reach?

It takes conscientious effort to achieve anything in life!  It takes vision, hard work, rising early each day, with determination. This requires discipline and knowing when to say, "NO" to a lot of other things that would divide your attention and get you off track.

When I think about the men and women who have managed to achieve great things, there is one thing they all had in common; they were focused individuals. They met every obstacle with courage, not wavering or giving up. There were lots of situations they encountered that threatened everything they were trying to do, but they endured as they remained focused.

There will be times when you will have to bypass what's seemingly, a 'good' opportunity, in order to succeed and accomplish your goal. Not every opportunity, or offer that comes your way is necessary to get involved in, unless it will enhance, enrich, or advance your vision. Some things are just a waste of time! 

Know when to graciously bow out of an invitation. Keep your focus! Don't get side tracked or bamboozled into thinking that you will gain anything valuable from getting involved with stuff that cannot grow you, develop you or increase your chances for upward mobility. Always remember, distractions come in nice little packages!

Keeping your focus may also involve a cost! You may loose a few people along the way, be talked about, negatively, while gaining a few enemies. Keep your focus regardless! Anyone worth a seat in the front row of your life will earn it by being supportive during your journey! The rest, you don't need!

Focused individuals are meticulous, and careful. Whatever they are working on, or working towards, shows the amount of time and attention they gave it. They are not sloppy, neither careless, or mediocre. They have high standards for themselves. They are always looking for ways to improve, and they are constantly learning and growing in their purpose. They take on challenges and tackle things that are difficult. They surround themselves with people who know more than they do, who have also achieved their goals in spite of obstacles.

God expects that His children will produce nothing less than their best! He has given us all of the resources we need to be successful. There is absolutely no reason why we should fall beneath His expectations or leave this world without making the mark we were born to make.

Whatever you put your hands to do, work it as if God, Himself, will put His stamp of approval on it before it even gets a chance to be seen by others. Work for His approval and His approval only! Set aside, or toss anything that will slow you down, keeping you from accomplishing your goal. By any means necessary, KEEP YOUR FOCUS!