Chasing a Moving Target? Here are 5 Steps to Help.
Ever feel like you’re chasing a moving target? You accomplish one task only to have three more fill its place. Your knee heals just before your back goes out. You do what you’re told is required to accomplish X, Y, or Z, only to find the requirements have changed just when you think you’re done. You wipe the counter only to find a scattering of crumbs ten minutes later. You make progress in your marriage only to have a new issue arise. How do we keep moving forward when the end goal never quite seems to be within reach?
If we’re not intentional, burnout and discouragement (or even depression) will sneak up on us for sure. Here are five ways to keep moving forward when it seems there’s no end in sight.
- Remember your “why.” Why is it important to work toward this goal in the first place? What good will come if you keep moving forward?
- Visualize success. How will it feel to succeed? How will life change for the better? Focus on the good that will come from pushing through and achieving your goal. (And click here to check out my post on how crucial it is to hold on to HOPE.)
- Visualize failure. What will happen if you give up? How will life change for the worse? Remember why you don’t want to let this happen. (Not sure I’ve ever seen this in a list of how to succeed, and I don’t want you to linger in this place in an unhealthy way, but I do think there’s merit here.)
- Pray. Draw near to the one who made you and ask for direction. Maybe God wants to guide you down a different path or to a new resource to help in your journey, or maybe he simply wants to give you a hug and an extra boost of strength and encouragement for the path ahead. Give him the wheel.
- Remember your eternal reward. Life is not always within our control, as I’m sure we’re all too aware. Keep your eye on Jesus to guide you into what he has for you here on earth, while also remembering that all will be made right and just in Heaven—and our time on earth is truly just a blink of an eye compared to eternity.
Sometimes the path ahead is full of life and possibilities, but sometimes it feels just plain confusing and difficult. Allow God’s strength and grace to fill in the gaps as you put one foot in front of the other. What are you pushing for these days? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to partner with you by lifting you up in prayer!
I write fiction with relatable characters who depend on God’s strength to overcome real life struggles. If you’re interested in monthly Christian encouragement and a free historical romance novella, sign up for my newsletter and get Love on a Whim delivered to your email instantly!
I love this! It’s much needed, especially these days. And thank you for including the idea of visualizing the failure as part of the process – I agree that it DOES have merit, if you don’t ‘linger’ there, as you said so well! Your posts are always honest and real, yet so encouraging. Thanks for shining such a sweet light into our world!
Thank you for your encouragement, SJ! :) I’m glad you resonated with the idea of visualizing failure. It seemed almost wrong to suggest, but also can be an important part of the process I think!