I recently stumbled upon the inspiring story of Kayla Montgomery. Check out her story below. It made me think about people who hide behind excuses versus the ones that choose to be over-comers. I believe that it’s our mind that keeps us hostage.
Most people choose to live in the first category. They choose to use their circumstances to control their lives, dictate their results and affect their happiness. They choose excuses over results. They blame others instead of taking responsibility for their lives.
Over the years I’ve heard many reasons for why people stay within the first category and fail to pursue their passions and life purpose. Unfortunately, these obstacles don’t disappear by themselves, allowing us to reach our goals; instead, we must push through them to obtain a fulfilled life. They are like quick sand, keeping you stuck and slowly pulling you down. From fear, through to low self-esteem, unforgiveness to resentment and procrastination, we are hostages to our past, present bad habits or unwillingness to do what’s necessary for future improvement.
I’m not sure what’s holding you back, that is something you need to figure out for yourself.
But I know that unless you face your fears, change your bad habits and take action to make things happen, nothing will change.
People in the second category are the movers and shakers. You might have read about them in books, there may have been movies inspired by their results, or you may have never known that they existed. The common denominator is not the fame. Not even the wealth. Trust me, it’s easier to make money than to fulfill your purpose. The common denominator is simply that – a fulfilling life. Not all of us will be speakers, not all of us will be politicians. And not all of us will create music that makes people dance.
In one way it would be much easier if we all had the same purpose in life, but our gifts, talents and unique abilities wouldn’t be needed if this was case. I prefer this colorful world. We all are unique and so is our purpose. Where one thrives in innovation, someone else problem solves. Where one creates with his or her hands, someone else bursts with ideas and lyrics.
No one can hand you your purpose in life. Click To TweetOthers around you can give you hints about your talent or gifts, but you have to be the one who takes a step and walks the walk. You have to be the one who takes action and improves. You might choose to do so on your own or you might choose to take a shortcut and hire a coach.
So how can you join the elite club of those in the second category who are making a difference while being and doing their best?
1. Stop obsessing about the obstacles in front of you
There’s nobody on this planet who gets through life without facing any obstacles, challenges or disappointments. These things are a part of life. Stop waiting for the perfect time and choose to take action NOW!
2. Stop focusing on others’ expectations
You must really KNOW yourself. Your chosen activity should challenge you, but it shouldn’t be so challenging that it’s outside of your skill set. It would be crazy for me to think that I can be the world’s best gymnast. I dislike sports and I’m way beyond the ‘golden age’ of gymnastics. It should also move you forward and fill your heart with joy. You can’t live a purposeful life while fulfilling everybody else’s desires for your life. What do YOU want to do in life? What’s easy, yet challenging enough for you that you can focus on?
3. Stop obsessing about yourself
Your life is not about you! As one of my favorite groups Switchfoot sings in one of their songs… ‘We were meant to live for so much more!’ There are people around you who need your gifts, your talents, and your help. How are you helping them? How are you making a difference? Are you using your talents to make a difference or have you buried them trying to fix what was never yours to fix?
4. Stop tolerating excuses – especially your own!
Let me state it clearly… You will never discover your purpose in life if you never try, never fail and never learn from your mistakes! The biggest giants in history weren’t people who never failed, they were in fact the people who failed the most, but kept going in spite of their failures. Here are some examples to prove it…
- Thomas Alva Edison: ‘I didn’t fail. I just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.’
- Babe Ruth: ‘Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.’
- Winston Churchill: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’
- Zig Ziglar: ‘It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.’
- John Green: ‘What is the point of being alive if you don’t at least try to do something remarkable?’
I could go on and on, but I’m pretty sure that you get the point.
As I close today’s post, I challenge you to have a closer look at your life. Are you proud of your accomplishments so far? If yes, congratulations! Keep on going traveling on the right path. If you’re not so sure, get clear about what’s missing. What would you like to see happen for you to be fully satisfied? What do you need to do to make it happen?
I will never be able to fulfill YOUR purpose. Neither will anybody else. You have people around you that only you can influence. You are in situations I will never be able to be in. At any given time you can choose to make a difference …or not.
I hope you will choose wisely.
Blessings,
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