I don’t set out on a path to fail. If you’ve known me for any length of time, you might (like my sweet sister) describe me as a fighter, a self-motivator, a determined person. When I set my mind to something, I do it with all my heart. I remember as a child, climbing the hills behind my grandmother’s home. Even as a young girl, I was always pushing towards the front of the line. When my legs burned and I gasped for air, I pushed even harder. I love setting goals and reaching those goals!
So why, along the journey, do I think it’s okay to take a break or quit for awhile? Because quitting for awhile usually leads to retreating and in the end, failing!
My friend Ruthanne said it best today in her post.
“If we stop giving up and thinking the 50 yard line is good enough and choose to push ourselves, someday we’ll find ourselves in the end zone. That’s where we want to be, y’all. The end zone.”
Isn’t that good stuff? Even if that quote was only meant for me today, it was worth it. So thank you, Ruthanne!
But after talking with so many women who struggle with body image and weight loss, I’m thinking that it will motivate you just as much as me!
So will you join me? Will you choose to NOT BE A quitter? Whatever you are pressing towards, don’t …. don’t…. don’t stop at the 50 yard line! Keep pressing on, and sooner or later you will find yourself in the END ZONE! Can I get a Hallelujah?!
12 Ways To Stay Motivated On Your Journey:
1) Don’t give up what you want most, for what you want now.
Think about it… the temporary trips us up in being triumphant.
2) How committed are you to this?
Take your goals seriously. If you don’t see reaching them as life-altering important, you will quit often.
3) It’s actually pretty simple, either you do it or you don’t.
Believe me, I don’t take your struggles flippantly. I know all too well the overwhelming war that goes on within and without. But just make a decision to do the hard things today and they will pay off.
4) When you quit, the number one person you are letting down is you.
Don’t complete this journey for someone else. God is doing a work in you for a reason. Don’t beat yourself up by letting another person down. You are hurting yourself the most.
5) The voice in your head that says you can’t do this, is a liar.
Don’t listen to that voice in your head that says, “Here you are again, quitting. You are such a failure.” Silence that voice.
6) Surround yourself with encouraging words.
The best way to defeating discouragement in your life is with encouraging words. The Word of God, others that are for you, positive quotes… surround yourself with encouragement daily. It’s your best offense!
7) Say goodbye to the negative voices.
Next, remove yourself from anything that seeks to sabotage. Your commitment to your journey will silence the nay-sayers.
8) Take it one day at a time.
Just as in Exodus 16 where the Lord rained down bread from Heaven, He called them to gather up only which was meant for that day. Sometimes we try to do too much, instead of taking it one day at a time and our good efforts become worm-ridden!
9) Have a positive attitude.
Philippians 4:8-9. Meditate and do what these verses say. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10) Remember who is the strength of your life.
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear?” The Lord is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?”
11) Let God fight your battle. Be still.
Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
12) Don’t let the devil win!
Psalm 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
Thanks for visiting!
Great post…love your practical application steps.
great post, Traci!
I’ve learned through the years that every yard counts. If I take them one yard at a time, instead of focusing on the 50 more yards to go, I get there faster!
And that little thing called motivation. Striving to lean in close so I hear Him whispering in my ear to keep going…that’s been my best motivator to date!
Hugs to you! Thanks for stopping by my place today.
(Hope you’re high and dry today!)
LOVE this Traci!!! 🙂
Traci, thank you for the encouragement. I feel this post was written for me! It is my goal to write a novel (or at least start writing one)this month and your words really inspired me and reminded me that I can do this…this thing I believe God is calling me to do. I have been scared and have listend to the lying voice in my head that says I can’t. Your words were just what I needed to set me off on the right foot today. Thanks!
I am fairly new to your blog. I have been reading your articles on marriage. They came at a time when I most needed them. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Relating to this post~press on~keep your eye on the goal and you will reach the end zone.
Ruth
Hi my friend! Thanks so much for your sweet comment on my guest post at Imperfect Prose. You have always been one of my biggest encouragers from the very beginning when I first started blogging. You are a blessing.