Back in December I took Michael Hyatt’s new Best Year Ever course. I then set 10 goals and was very excited about 2014 and the plans I’d made for the year. Almost immediately after—within a week—my mood plummeted. I spent a week or two wallowing, then began to examine why I felt depressed.
Dr. Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People stated that Habit 2 was “to begin with the end in mind. …To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination.”
Mark 11:24 from the Bible encourages us to do something very similar. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Yet another biblical example is the story of Peter walking on the water (see Matthew 14:22-33). While he kept his focus on Jesus, Peter walked on the water. But the second he looked at the storm raging around him, he began to sink.
What does this have to do with my foul mood?
What I focus on, or think about, affects my mood—positively or negatively.
This is the time of year when people set resolutions and work toward making some positive change(s) in their lives. There are many reasons why most don’t succeed, but focus is one of them. They’re thinking about the hard work and change (and pain) it’s going to take to reach their goal, instead of the end result.
What does envisioning the end from the beginning look like?
Let’s make this personal. You read my blog because you want to be a writer. Like me, you probably want to be a famous author, right? Then believe you already are. Envision the end—I am a famous writer—from the beginning.
What does being a famous author look like? Does it mean having a best selling book (or three or four)? Does it mean traveling the States doing book signings and appearing on national TV and radio? Does it mean $$$ in the bank and no financial worries? For every writer, being famous means something different. Determine what it is for you.
Now envision what being a famous author feels like. Emotionally connect with your goal so you are positively motivated to achieve it. I learned that from Tony Robbins, but both Dr. Covey and Michael Hyatt state the same.
There’s a law of nature at work here, though like gravity, I don’t understand how it works. I only know it does. What we focus on has a direct bearing on the outcomes of our lives. Having the end in mind from the beginning helps us achieve our desired outcomes.
I’d like to blame my foul mood on the dark days of winter. That may partly be the cause, but in the midst of it I learned that when I’m feeling bummed, I need to stop and think about where my focus is. Am I thinking about the end goal or all the reasons why I may never achieve that goal?
How about you? Where’s your focus? Leave your comments below.
Debra L. Butterfield © 2014
Recommended reading: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Deb, I appreciate your posts. AND like so many others (to my posts, too) don’t always leave a comment. But today I am. Ever since I began writing the book, Not Different Enough, about my daughter, I have tried very hard to envision the end results. I thank God for the things that haven’t happened yet, but I know they will. It is ready to be printed and I am talking about doing book signings all over the country. I am a firm believer in “Think Big”
Gloria, I’m glad you’re thinking big, but we can never out imagine God, as Ephesians 3:20 tells us. I have no doubt He has big things planned for your book. I hope when we get to heaven we’ll have a chance to meet all the people we touched with our writing.