Staying On Track

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I try to observe what is going on around me. Everyone knows about healthcare, unemployment, banking crises, war in Afghanistan, amongst many other mega-issues. What really is catching my attention that I would like to focus on is how even during these times some things do not change. Namely the fact there still is no shortage of opinions, ideas, imaginations, dreams, or visions. As well, like in other times, this is not what creates solutions.

I am in total agreement that you have to formulate a destination for your life. You need to have check points that tell you the way you are moving is leading to where you want to go. Here is the rub, the gotcha, the catch! No idea by itself will deliver you to a destination.

If you have ever been in a group of persons like family, co-workers, club, church, team, or any other group brainstorming becomes a way of coming up with a list of ways to get something accomplished. As a side note, isn’t it funny how as individuals present thoughts, we immediately think ahead as to whether it will work or not? We do this in the form of questions, head nods for or against. Some do this internally and others externally. Of course brainstorming is to be done without evaluation or analyzing the suggestion. That comes later. What causes us to respond to brainstorming this way? Hmm! Well let’s go down that path another day. Back to the subject of getting to our destination…

There is an excitement that comes with starting something new, especially when we do so in a group. I believe in part, we make each other feel positive about being a part of movement that we believe is going somewhere. There is an emotional “high” that a group gets by working together. We truly do affect each other by our affirmations, and sadly our criticisms. Coming up with ideas are great. Then we move to what actions get us to the idea becoming fulfilled. (Squealing brakes) This is where problems come in.

Many times we will not admit upfront, but in the back of our minds is a slight, nagging, concern that is very familiar to those who have been in this position 3 or more times. The question is, “Will we follow through on what we start or will it be over faster than the next meeting?” For the passionate it is force of the passion that will cause success. The fear is real because this is truly draining to repeat this over and over. The pragmatist begins to ask questions searching for levels of commitment. The real question is “how long is the commitment”? The optimist is thinking “this time” it will work. Not truly understanding what makes “this time” any different. The politician is deciding whether or not this is something that can be reused for another cause. Just in case! And so on, and so on.

Here is a conclusion I have come to. Objectives without discipline are like a train with a destination that does not stay on track. It is the action of carrying out the actions that determine that we reach the destination. Discipline moves us down the track. It takes discipline to do the repetitive, boring, and thankless, to truly follow an idea in real life. Here are some of the thoughts that have helped me in laying the track and staying on it to reach my destination.

1. Do it Now – Waiting to do what can be done now is a way of saying what you are doing is not really important to you. Make sure you believe!

2. Keep a list – Put the steps on a list that you can immediately have access to as a reminder of what needs to be done.

3. Be accountable to someone else – Let a mentor, confidant, friend or someone who will inquire about your progress. Let them know you need them to hold you responsible.

4. Priority – Decide what you are not going to do. So you can focus. Placing the actions on a calendar is a good way of setting priority. If you use your calendar to check what you need to get done.

5. Think – Continually meditate on what you are accomplishing and its importance. Remember “Why”

Try these and let me know if they have been helpful. I am curious. What are some of the ways you discipline yourself to accomplish your ideas, visions, dreams, and imaginations? Please share.

Hi! My name is Vonzel Sawyer. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. I started blogging to share from my experience, knowledge, wisdom, instruction, and understanding to help persons maxamize and magnify the positive in their life. That is why I used the terms "maximum" and "magnification" and combined them into a single word "maxafication". Just like something can be magnetized or winterized. I want to impact people to live largely and fully each day!