If you don’t make plans in life, you’re just going to drift. In the last few weeks, we’ve been learning step by step to get where you want to go. We’ve already learned why it’s important to:
- Determine your present position
- Describe exactly what you want
- Identify the barriers
- Create a step-by-step plan
Today we’re going to look at another step: Be patient and persistent.
Accomplishing big goals in your life isn’t going to happen overnight. The bigger your goal, the longer it will take. The more significant your goal, the more time and energy will be involved. Reaching goals takes time and discipline.
Nothing great is ever accomplished without patience, persistence, determination, and endurance. I suggest that you set big goals and spend the rest of your life going after them.
For you to reach your goals, you’re going to have to learn how to delay gratification.
The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people do things unsuccessful people are unwilling to do.
Successful people often do things they don’t feel like doing. Successful people know how to delay gratification. They do the right, tough thing before they do the fun, enjoyable thing. One of the marks of maturity is learning the difference between no and not yet.
“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”
Let’s put this into practice:
- Think about something big you’ve accomplished. How long did it take you to reach that goal?
- As you think about the big goals you have today, what is one hard thing you need to do before a fun thing you’d like to do?
Excerpt taken from Daily Hope by Rick Warren.