Tuesday, April 9, 1996

The goal in sight

My seven year old daughter likes to fall asleep in the family room watching reruns of I Love Lucy on “Nick at Night". I used to pick her up every night and carry her into her bedroom. But she’s getting bigger and heavier, and a few months ago when my back went out I decided that maybe I shouldn’t do that any more.

So now I set her on her feet and “guide” her into the bedroom. She’s always very groggy and I have to hold on to keep her pointed in the right direction. Otherwise, she starts wandering off somewhere else. But as soon as we reach the bedroom door, I know I can let go of her. Because no matter how “out of it” she is, when she sees her bed she goes straight to it.

The difference in behavior before she gets within sight of her bed, and after she sees it, is very obvious and dependable. Through the family room, down the hall, past the bathroom, she is very sleepy and can’t remember where she wants to go. But once the goal (her bed) is in sight, she suddenly has a purpose -- going straight to the bed.

Life can be the same way without clearly defined and visualized goals. You’re wandering around in a daze, going off in the wrong direction, not sure what’s going on or where you are headed. You might as well be walking in your sleep.

As soon as you have a goal in sight, things change. You’re motivated to get there, and you can see the exact path that you need to follow. No matter how tired, or dazed, or confused you are, the goal beckons and you do what it takes to get there.

Set your goals, see them in front of you, and you’ll be powerfully drawn toward them.

— Ralph Marston

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Copyright ©1996 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.