Focus On The Attainable In Three Steps

Dwelling on what you can't control is futile.

You may not be able to ignore the packaged angst of public media; but you can apply your thoughts only to those subjects where you can make a difference.

There are three questions to ask yourself as you consider your thoughts.

• Relevancy: Is what you are considering in any way relevant to where you want to go and what you want to do. If not it is just consuming time and delaying your chance to bring about a significant advancement.

• Importance: There may be something to do, it may even have some value. But will it make powerful accomplishments possible, or just add a pebble to a small stack of insignificance? Your life has great value, if you will direct it toward possibilities of major consequence.

• Actionable: It may be important, but can you see any way at this time, with tools currently available, you can change things for the better? Much of what is reported is so far away from our influence that we might as well dream fantasy as spend time considering it.
  

I am reminded of the couple where the man bragged that he made all the important decisions in his family - such as should the US try to land on Mars, or should the UN be disbanded. His spouse made the unimportant ones, what is for dinner, where the kids will go to school, if they should move to a different country.

What is important to you? If it is easier for you to remember the negative:

Ignore everything that is irrelevant, unimportant, or un-actionable.

If it fails any of those tests there is only one reason to continue - perhaps your futile efforts will inspire someone else to do better.

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"Begin to be now what you will be hereafter" - Saint Jerome

The life you lead today is the result of events, some of which you influenced, and your responses and actions, many of which you controlled.

Determine to control more of your thoughts and you will control more of your responses. Saturate your being with a determination to accomplish specific goals and act in a specific manner toward events and you will greatly influence the rest of your life.

What is it you desire to do, and where do you desire to do it in one, five and ten years? Your journey to what you will become starts right now with your dedication to creating yourself as the person you wish to become. Each effort to contain your thoughts and direct your desires will yield actions that steer you toward your personal goals.

The route will best be selected by considering what others want and structuring solutions that also move you ahead. Consider letting the tail-gater past so as to open lanes for you.

Don't try to change the whole world all at once, instead change your thoughts from this moment to the next.

Then do it again.

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