Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts

Friday, July 29, 2011

Taking Inventory

Praise JESUS CHRIST!

Greetings family!  I trust you're having a blessed week in the LORD!  Thank you for continuing to read this blog, and for making your friends and family aware of it as well!  Please keep in mind that as you subscribe to this blog, you will be updated regularly as new topic's are posted.  Be sure also to participate in the weekly polls.  I REALLY appreciate your consistency in perusing these articles, and  look forward to sharing more God-Given Wisdom and ideals that will encourage you along the path of your Christian walk, ensuring that you always 'Finish What You Start!'

Today, I would like to discuss the aspect of Taking Inventory as you progress along the journey of accomplishing your goals. Taking inventory basically means that we see where we are, and how we are doing in our efforts to better our lives. By taking inventory, we are able to note how far we've come, how far we have to go, and if there are any necessary changes or modifications that must be made toward the completion of our aspirations.  Without knowing if our plan of action is working, we will not be able to complete any task.

Of course, this notion of Taking Inventory is nothing new.  Successful businesses do this all the time.  When someone wishes to purchase something from a particular establishment, that business must ensure they have the product 'in stock'.  If not, they must be quick to order it, or the potential life-long customer might go elsewhere.  We also take inventory in our personal lives.  For instance, we see if we have stocked up on toiletries and other household supplies necessary for daily living.  What a shame it would be to do 'our business' and realize we've forgotten to purchase toilet paper (I apologize for giving you this visual) during our last trip to the market.  So it is with the accomplishing of our goals.  We must understand what works, and what doesn't work.  We must take the time to effectively measure our progress.  If something is not working, we need to find out the reasoning behind this and modify our means of accomplishing the task at hand.  The key is to keep doing what works, and quit doing what is not producing our desired result!

Now let's talk about how to take an inventory of your progress.  Let's use the example of attempting to lose weight.  Now, you have set a goal to lose 40 pounds in six months.  You have established that losing approximately 2lbs per week would get you to your goal.  You've decided to cut out the sweets, while eating healthier lower-fat meals.  You've been on your weight-loss regimen for a month and you step onto the scale to see how far you've come.  You've lost a total of 2lbs while you were projected to lose around 8.  What do you do?  Do you become discouraged and quit your goal?  Of course not!  You have made some progress.  After all, you're thinner than you were when your diet began, so something is working.  It may just be that instead of solely eating healthier, you may need to add an exercise program to achieve maximum results.  Once you've modified your plan, periodically check your progress.  If another month passes and you've lost a total of 10lbs or so, you have made the correct modification and are close to achieving your goal.  If after the modification, you're still not progressing as you expected then it may be the time to rethink your strategy (i.e. - getting nutritional assistance from an expert), but by all means DO NOT give up!  With the Help and Wisdom of GOD, there IS a way to accomplish your goal!

Another important reason for taking inventory is in order that you remain inspired and optimistic while attempting to accomplish something noteworthy in your life.  More often than not, when we're in the process of accomplishing a goal, there will arise days of disappointment and discouragement.  We may begin to feel as if we are 'spinning our wheels' instead of making steady progress toward the attainment of our dreams.  Monitoring our progress in increments will enable us to see the positive results of our hard work.  Remember the above weight-loss example displays some progress being made toward a goal, even if it wasn't what the achiever originally expected.  After careful modification, though, we see that this person is well on their way to accomplishing their goals. 

So where are you in your goal attaining process?  I trust, with the dawn of each new day, you are closer to your dreams than you were when you began the journey.  Remember, always have a plan in place to track your progress.  Never become discouraged, if you don't see quick results.  Realize, that Jesus will mix His Faith with yours, and enable you to continue to 'Fight the Good Fight'!  You are an over comer, and you will accomplish anything and everything in which you've placed your mind and focus.  I would love to hear your progress along the way.  Be sure to email me @ macmoses1973@msn.com to let me know your progress, or simply leave a comment.  Thanks again for joining us today!  Now let me leave you with this reminder, You 'CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH YOU (Philippians 4:13)'!  Be Blessed!

(c) 2011 Writings With The Finger of God

Next:  Begin Again!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Staying Motivated!

Praise JESUS CHRIST!

Motivation is a key ingredient when enduring the sometimes difficult task of accomplishing goals.  Without motivation, we become luke-warm goal seekers simply 'going through the motions', making the task at hand increasingly difficult.  I mention that it would be more difficult because of the fact that when we are 'inspired' to do a thing, it makes it more joyous even if the job at hand may be a bit strenuous.

But how do we remain motivated?  When we first begin a venture, we are at the peak of excitement!  We feel rejuvenated by the new set of goals we have created and we know without a shadow of a doubt that with the aid of JEHOVAH we will accomplish our goals.  We do great the first day, even better the second day, but then we seemingly hit that proverbial wall, where we don't feel up to doing what needs to be done to get us through the day.  What are we to do when this occurs?  Believe me, it WILL take place! The most successful people will tell you that much.  However, the thing that made them successful, even when the road became tedious, was their being motivated to accomplish their desire.  They have completely made up in their minds that they would see the aspiration to its end.

The key to remaining motivated is first to remember 'why' you set the goal.  What was your reasoning behind the goal?  Of course the main reason for setting your goals dealt with some form of self-improvement.  When you remember that accomplishing the goal will greatly improve your outlook on life, this will assist you in following and finishing the plan you've set.  Another reason to remember your 'why' is so that when attempting to accomplish a goal becomes uncomfortable or painful, your 'why' will encourage you to keep fighting, knowing that all your hard work will pay off in the end, enabling you to be healthier, happier, and more content than you previously realized!

A good way to stay motivated is to constantly look at your goals.  You may want to write down the reason behind each goal to remain optimistic when the trials of pursuing the desire present themselves.  The motivation necessary to accomplish your aspirations has already been placed inside of you by your Creator.  Don't fret if you seem to lose some motivation, just continue to do what is necessary and doing that will keep you motivated, especially when you begin to make progress.

Another way to remain motivated is to think about how you will feel once the goal is accomplished.  Seeing yourself in possession of the goal is a great way to encourage yourself along the ride.  Remember your goals are most likely a marathon and not a sprint!  There will be peaks and valleys along the path, but remain focus and decisive toward accomplishing the goal!  It takes faith and strength to realize any worthwhile ambition.  Keep believing and God will honor your faith, giving you the ingredients necessary to remain in a positive frame of mind along the ride toward the completion of your task.

So when the times get tough, and the travels along the road to accomplishing your goals make you weary, remember YOU CAN, WILL, AND MUST ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS!!!! You have all the motivation and desire needed to do all things to the Glory of GOD!  God Will Strengthen you!!!!  Don't become discouraged if things aren't progressing as quickly as they might.  You will arrive at your destination if you do NOT quit!!  Remember, as The Holy Bible states, 'YOU WILL REAP, IF YOU FAINT NOT!!!!'  Be Blessed!

(c) 2011 Writings With The Finger Of GOD

Tomorrow: Enduring Faith