John seemed embarrassed, his voice lowered, almost to a whisper as he spoke to his coach.
He said, “Rob, I had so many goals going into 2012. It’s now the end of the year and I’m so mad at myself. I haven’t even come close to accomplishing what I wanted to this year.”
There was a pause and a long silence on the telephone. It felt like forever. John then added, “I feel like just quitting.”
His coach gently snapped back, “Sure John, go ahead. Just quit. Throw away everything you desire. Throw away your dreams. How would that make you feel if you just quit? Would that make you feel better?”
“No it wouldn’t feel good” John said hesitantly.
Rob said, “So cut the crap, John.
We’re in the 12th month of the year. The year isn’t over. You have 10+ days left. You could look backward or look forward. Which way do you want to look?”
“Forward,” said John.
“Okay then. What are two things you want to accomplish the remainder of the year, John? Write them down.”
John wrote them down and read them back to his coach.
“When will you be accountable for the 1st goal being done?” “And the 2nd goal?”
“What actions do you need to take to get going now?”
John kept writing then hesitantly said, “My procrastination and lack of focus have haunted me all year…in fact all my life. I’m scared it’s going to get the best of me.”
Rob jumped in, “Stop being scared and start doing something about the problem.
Take action!
Action is the antidote for procrastination and fear. In fact it is the only cure. You are allowing lack of focus to rip success right out of your hands.”
Rob’s voice started to get stronger. He said, “Listen, you have 10+ days left this month. You can make excuses or you can generate excitement in your life. You can use these days to move closer to what you want or further away. You have to make the choice now. Are you ready to go out there and kick some butt?”
John came back with an enthusiastic, “Yes! Yes! I will do it!”
Rob said, “Let’s do it then! Let’s get going! I’ll help you!”
John said quickly and with excitement in his voice, “I gotta go, Rob! I have calls to make, people to see and goals to reach!”
You too have 10+ days left this month.
Are you going to finish strong like John and get the momentum you desire in 2013?
People become immobilized because they have a broken focus. Everyone has a focus but the real question is, what are you focused on?
If you turn on the TV or radio, all you hear is a lot of media nonsense and they are ultimately all about controlling your focus. Every day there’s a different drama about something that people forget in 3 days anyway (most of the time).
Yes, there’s some real stuff out there like high unemployment, inflation and more. But if you focus on those things you become part of the problem instead of finding a solution. That’s why this message is more important then ever. Either you control your focus or the world will snatch it right away from you.
We’re living in an economy where there is no such thing as ‘job security’ any more.
There’s not. We’re living in an economy that unless you take ownership of your focus, your skills, and your attitude you’re in deep trouble…really deep trouble.
Everyone is after your focus. Can you feel it? Will you submit to ridiculous input that steals your focus or will you rise up and take action toward what you want?
Listen, I know procrastination may be kicking your butt right now. Yes, you’re probably having a problem with inconsistency also. We might even add in a bit of perfectionism as well. Everything has to be just right…then I’ll get going. Been there, done that.
Now is your time, your time to take the next step forward.
Not a big step, a small one. Just start with one small step. That’s all you need right now to make progress. It’s time to take ownership of your focus and take action.
What you choose to focus on with all your passion and persistence will, in fact, be created. You can watch it happen.
It’s all yours if you choose to control your focus, that’s just the reality…
The Bullet Train of Time is leaving the station and you have a ticket. Will you take the ride of your life or watch it leave the station?
Focus on the two goals you have and what you need to start doing.
Start right now!”
Feel the power of laser like focus. Feel the energy starts to boil inside as you take that next step towards your goals and dreams.
If the mental gremlins of procrastination are haunting you, you must not
listen….and you must take action now.
You’re important. And I hope I’ve been able to bring value and a spark into your life in 2012 that will help propel you forward in 2013. That’s my goal.
You are special and unique.
You are fearless.
You are more powerful than you know. Much more.
You were born to be great. Much greater than you think.
You were born to build a masterpiece called your life.
We’ve all had challenges.
We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all procrastinated too much. We’ve all had a bad year. We’ve all been way too scattered at times. Big deal!
A new year is coming. Your future will be bright, lively, and fun. Embrace it. Go ahead. Make 2013 your best year ever!
You were born with a gift, wrapped and all. A unique gift. Now it’s your job to find it, build it and share it. That decision is yours, not mine. Will you sit on the bench or step up to the plate and hit one out of the park?
Batter up! Now swing!
Jim Britt
Jim Britt is a contributing blogger for JenningsWire, a blogging community created by Annie Jennings.