DAY 7: Decide Now to Never Give Up on Your Dreams

We’ve all heard people say “don’t ever give up on your dreams”, but I believe people just think that applies to big things like dreaming about your career or a lifelong goal. However, I think this mindset should apply to anything you desire that is good for you. If you want to succeed, you must decide now to never give up because giving up will be so tempting.

Sadly, people often settle for less than best. They talk themselves out of even wanting those things anymore simply because they think they are unattainable. Bull hockey! You can do incredible things if you develop a determined committed mindset.

What Do You Still Want?

If you have want to do something you haven’t done yet or achieve something you haven’t achieved, ask the million dollar question, “do you still want it?” Don’t get me wrong, sometimes God’s timing is different than our timing – and whatever it is you want, it has to line up with His will for your life. In other words, it has to be in His plan for you or you’ll be fighting a losing battle from the start. I mean, if you are 16 and you want a Corvette, God might fight you on that one! But, if it’s something that is in line with His will, then don’t stop striving for it.

Imagine if some of the greats gave up. Look at Thomas Edison for instance. He was told by his teachers he was ‘too stupid to learn anything’. Walt Disney was told he lacked imagination. Dr. Seuss’s first book was rejected by 27 publishers. Can you imagine if these amazing people quit dreaming? God has a plan for you too and someone out there needs you to keep dreaming.

If you still want to lose weight, have a better marriage, grow closer to the Lord, go back to school or start your own business; whatever it is, keep working for it! Whether you are taking baby steps for huge strides, don’t give up. As soon as you begin to lose motivation or momentum, ask yourself the question again, “do I still want it?” Maybe you should even put it on your mirror, above your office desk, on the refrigerator and even on the dash of your car.

How Bad Do You Want It?

Take it a step further. Don’t just ask if you still want it, ask “how bad do you want it?” Do you want to lose weight bad enough to order grilled chicken and asparagus instead of pasta and bread? If you are saving for a house, do you want it bad enough to live on a tighter budget? Do you want that degree bad enough you are willing to stay home and study instead of go out with your friends? Just how bad do you want it? You must consider the cost.

Every great things requires a certain level of sacrifice and those sacrifices are hard. But, that is why people who do great things are respected so much. It takes a lot of discipline. If you weigh out the sacrifice with the reward though, there’s no comparison. It’s worth it all and it will be worth it to you too.

I remember when we were saving for a house and I would want to go shopping. Steve would ask me “what do you want more? A new house or a new lipstick?” When he put it that way, the decision was obvious and quite easy. There was no comparison. I just needed to be reminded of the reward. It should also be equally obvious when comparing temporary pleasure of eating whatever you want with the lasting pleasure of feeling fit, trim and healthy.

We have to remember the reward. Remember what you are working for, remember how bad you want it, and remember it is worth the sacrifice. There is no doubt, at some point, you will be tempted to give up but don’t stop dreaming. Dream big and decide now to never give up no matter what comes your way.

Scripture of the Day

“I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” – Philippians 3:13

Mantra of the Day

If you still want it, don’t stop working for it.

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