The Driveway beyond the White Pole

Photo courtesy of picasaweb.google.com/.../5e_2AoHVOYEV4DhqgJj-3g

My best ideas are created when I am walking our dog, Mia.  I don’t know what it is, whether my life passes in front of me as I am fighting cars on our busy country road or I am focused with the blue sky, the rustle of corn stalks or the quiet that surrounds me, when the cars are not whizzing by.

As we have nightly been captivated by the Olympics and the strength, endurance and accomplishment of each athlete, I noticed that I am often tempted to fall short of my goal.

Let me explain.  When Mia and I go for our walk each morning, I know that to the driveway beyond the white pole, is two miles.  That driveway beyond the pole is our goal, our destination. Once we have touched that driveway beyond the pole, we know that it is time to turn around and head home.
One morning, it was hotter than normal. My knee was sore and I was just plain tired.
No one would know if we didn’t make it to our driveway beyond the pole. 
As I continued to walk forward with my mind and body pulling me to go backwards, I realized that each day I have goals set in front of me whether they are on a small to-do list, or a larger goals that will help me reach the financial and professional levels I have set before me.  Sure, I can quit or detour before I get there and no one will know.  

Not true!

I know.  Each time I cut myself short I am making it easier and easier to do it the next time. The only
person I am hurting is myself.

As I walked I kept thinking that every small thing I do or don’t do determines every big thing I will or won’t do.

Obstacles are a given in our daily lives.  We will get side tracked, interrupted, and tired.
We will fall short of our goals and yet the winners are those that continue on despite wanting
to quit. 

Every little thing that you accomplish, like making one more phone call, talking to one
more lead, selling one more product, will bring you closer to achieving your BIG goal. 

Prove yourself as a winner by doing the small things that no one will know or care whether
you accomplish.  YOU will know that every small thing you DO will determine every BIG thing
you accomplish.

Comments

[Donnette]

I think as entrepreneurs we struggle with this very thing everyday. It is a daily struggle that we must go through if we want to see our dreams materialize. The best way to keep on track is to find a picture or make a vision statement that you can look at everyday that can remind you why you got in business for yourself in the first place, it is a great motivator.

[Clem / Unique Business Opportunity]

We are often our own harshest critics, but I have found that it is also the accountability to ourselves that may be the only things that gets us, or keeps us moving at times. If we quit, or give up, perhaps no one will know, EXCEPT we ourselves.