Years ago, I learned a big lesson about goal setting. Of course, I didn’t realize it at the time, but
later I looked back and realized that the lesson has stayed with me all these
years. The lesson is simple: your perspective on challenges in your life will determine your goal-setting success.
I was facing an enormous challenge in my job at that time, and
I was feeling discouraged and defeated. Just at my lowest point, my assistant, Dawn, came into my office and smiled as she said, “Now is your chance to shine!”
Dawn’s words changed my mindset instantly. Her enthusiastic comment and her bright smile
were just the encouragement I needed in that moment. Thankfully, my perspective opened up to see the
challenge as an opportunity! I set goals
and with Dawn’s help, we successfully transformed the challenge into an
achievement.
I thought about it again today because Dawn sent me a
message to remind me to “sparkle.”
I smiled as I remembered her
encouraging words long ago that helped me to change my perspective and motivated me to set
goals.
You see, a challenging situation presents a fork in the road
for us. We can respond by complaining
about it, which leads us down the road of discouragement and defeat, or we can
respond by choosing to see the challenge as an opportunity. When you see the opportunity, you can set goals
and begin to achieve something great!
That was a simple lesson I learned long ago, but a very
critical one. Just imagine if Dawn had
not come to my office that day and shared her message for me… I surely would have continued down the wrong
path, and no goals would have been established to tackle the challenge. Although I didn't realize it at the time, it was a defining moment in my life, and I thank her for making it happen!
Next time you face a challenging situation, whether at home or at work, look at it as a fork in the road. Recognize that you have a choice. Are you going to sparkle and shine, or will you be dull and defeated? When you choose to see the challenge as an opportunity, and you set goals and take steps to face the challenge, you will definitely Sparkle and Shine!
Devotion
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says
to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah
41:13 (NIV)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the friends in our lives who speak kind words to
encourage our hearts. Thank you for my
friend Dawn, who encouraged me and opened my eyes to see a challenge as an opportunity, and helped me to achieve success. I pray for those who are
facing challenges and I ask you to help them recognize the opportunities they
have to set goals and achieve success.
Bless them with your wisdom, love, and guidance in their lives, and lead
them to seek your will. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
© 2018 Linda Lijewski
