In excitement for reaching my first deadline, here is something I spoke about with some guys at the college I intern at.
A few weeks ago I gave a short devotion to the group of college men I work with for my internship. Since the end of the semester was coming and summer was on the horizon, I decided to talk about goals that each of them had over the next few months, specifically the time they had left this semester. I thought it would be good to share this because regardless of your situation, everyone has goals/tasks set before them that they desire to accomplish. While you read this, assess yourself and see where your goals lie, and then determine how you are striving to reach those goals.
The First thing you must do is pinpoint goals you have set for yourself. Many of the guys in my group spoke of finishing strong in school, others of the process of applying to graduate schools, and some were thinking of the investment they put into others. Each of these guys was somewhere different, no one was exactly alike. They all had some sort of goal in the en though. So what goals do you have? What are you trying to accomplish over the next month, next year? We all have goals, pinpoint yours now.
Once you have pinpointed goals, there are three things that guide you to accomplishing your goals: Direction, accountability, and determination. With these three things behind you, any goal is achievable in time. So lets break these down quickly.
First, you must have direction. This is the most important aspect for your goals. If you have no direction, then you will not get anywhere. Andy Stanley wrote a book some years back and says, “Direction, not intention, determines your destination every time.” We can intend to do things, but, without a path, we see no clear end to the road. Direction gives us a focus destination for our goals.
Next, you need accountability to reach your destination or goals. Now for some people who are self-proclaimed do-it-yourselfers, you may not need people around you to complete goals ahead of you. For many of you though, you need people around you to keep you on task and going in the right direction. They keep you on the path and nudge you when you start to veer off. It is like the friend in the passenger seat on a late night drive back to home. They talk to you and keep you awake while driving. You are attentive because of them. Know who your accountability people are. If you do not have any, ask some close friends or family to step into that role.
Finally, the last thing is determination. Everyone who has a goal needs determination. When the going gets tough, people push through and accomplish much. A mentor of mine this semester gave me an amazing quote from Calvin Coolidge about persistence and determination, I really love it and think it is appropriate for this moment.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”-Calvin Coolidge
This quote hits home with me and I hope it does the same for you. We as humans have an inherent sense to overcome. This is something we need to remind ourselves of daily and know that when we have goals, our own determination will push us farther than we know. This backed by direction and accountability will turn you into a locomotive pushing faster and harder toward your goals.
So in all, have all have goals that we would love to accomplish. As you strive after them, remember that direction, accountability, and determination are what push you through. This alongside God’s providence in our lives makes us unstoppable.
I hope you take a little from this and can apply it to yourself. I am definitely remembering this for myself as I prepare for The World Race. I am determined to accomplish them and I know God has got my back through all the ups and downs.
