FOCAL POINT
FIND
We can’t map out a course if we don't know where we are going. So many people float through life because they have no purpose or goal. You can't race through life if you can’t find the starting line.
OWN IT
Once you find your purpose, dream, or goal, you must take ownership of it. “There are no half-hearted champions”. You must go “All In.”
CHASE
We all hear people say, “Chase your dreams.” Unfortunately, most people don’t understand what that means. When my distance runners have to race against the wind, they know what techniques to use to be successful.
ADVERSITY
Each of us will face adversity and heartaches while pursuing our purpose. In my case, I think, in retrospect, adversity helped shape the person I am today. You will see how I handle adversity poorly and correctly.
LOOK UP AND GET UP
It’s not a matter of if adversity strikes; it’s always a matter of when. Once adversity strikes, we must be brave enough to put our lives back together and go forward.
PASSION
Each of us has a God-given passion. I believe that if you are truly centered on your purpose, you will have a great passion for attaining your goal.
OPPORTUNITY
Many of us want to wait for an opportunity to find us. That is the lazy man’s way. If you have a worthy goal and purpose, you will find the opportunities to help you reach your focal point.
INSPIRE
If your passion shows in going to your focal point, you will inspire others to join you. God’s light should shine through you far and wide. You will never know the impact it will have on others.
NAVIGATE
As you pursue your dream, obstacles will pop up. Things you didn’t even consider will attempt to get in your way. You may need to plot a different route to arrive at your focal point on your journey.
TOUGHNESS
None of us are born with toughness. Being mentally and physically tough is an acquired art. You must be disciplined, consistent, and committed. Each of these qualities is learned. To be successful, you need to have a degree of toughness.
STAGES
Identify where you are on this journey. I have broken the journey of finding your focal point into a four-part progression. As you read the four road signs pointing to your destination, where are you now?
Identify - Before going to any destination, you must identify where you want to go. What is the desired outcome? Your big picture needs to be crystal clear. In the following two chapters, I will help you Identify your focal point. Once you have identified your goal, you will be ready to enter the second stage.
Aim—Once you have identified your focal point, it goes without saying that you should aim straight at it. That’s where the “O” and “C” come in. Yes, you have to own your target and chase it.
Keeping your goals in front of you is essential to succeeding in any life endeavor. Whether your goal is athletic, personal, business, or spiritual, you must “see” it in your bullseye daily. Each morning, you must ask yourself, “What will I do today to move me closer toward my goal?”
Recalibrate—Sometimes, we gradually drift off course, so the navigator periodically needs a fresh reference point to recalibrate the navigation system. This is so true in life. We must retrace our course if we get off course due to adversity or an obstacle. I was a long way off course when I was struck with adversity as a young coach. I had to recalibrate so I could attain my bulls-eye!
Bulls-eye - For our sake in this book, Our bulls-eye precisely attains our desired end. Once you arrive at your bulls-eye, the opportunities are endless.