It’s hard to believe tomorrow will be July already. Every year over the July 4th holiday, I try to take a few days off to reflect on the year so far and how I’m doing with my goals.
Because on New Year’s Eve, we all came up with crazy goals for the year. We said:
“I’m going to lose all of the weight!”
“I’m going to finally write my book!”
“I’m going to make progress on my dreams!”
And then by February, we let our gym memberships lapse…
We wrote a few chapters and gave up when we got stuck…
We made some progress on the dreams in our heart, but allowed life to get in the way.
Don’t feel bad. It happens to all of us. But the difference is, most people don’t worry about the things they promised themselves. Not until the next New Year’s Eve that is.
July 4th is one of my favorite holidays. Not just because of what it represents, but because it takes place pretty much smack dab in the middle of the year. It splits it in two. And that gives us a chance to sit back and take stock of how we’re progressing.
One of my friends posted this on Facebook the other day:
“There are people with certain skills and talents that could make them very successful. But they are terrified of losing the income they are guaranteed. THEY are the biggest risk takers. It’s riskier to bury your talents than it is to use them. A ‘guaranteed’ salary is a set number. Potential is limitless…”
It seems to me that many of us give up on our dreams not because we’re lazy, or busy, or get distracted, but because we’re afraid. Afraid of what the next goal will be if we ever do lose all of the weight, afraid our book won’t be read—or liked—if we do write it, afraid of failing at that thing we dream about, so we instead focus on the dream itself.
But what if we’re wrong?
Don’t believe the lie. Because every year around this time, I’m tempted by it, too. This is around the time I start to doubt myself, when I start to think the book I’m writing isn’t good, when I start to wonder if I have enough time left in the year to realize my dream.
If you have certain skills and talents, it’s your duty… no, it’s your OBLIGATION to use and not bury them. Unused talent offers no advantage over those with no talent at all.
And if you don’t have a talent but you still have a dream? Go after it anyway. The repetition of small efforts will accomplish more than the occasional use of great talents. Most people don’t succeed from their talent. They succeed because they’re relentless.
The year’s halfway over. It’s not too late to do something future you will be so proud of.
We’re all counting on you to use your gifts, or your grit, to see it through.