How to Live your Dream and Finish Life Strong!

Goals, dreams and the future are things that we all want. They elude some, but those who keep their eyes on the prize will cross the finish line with success. But so many people are focusing on the wrong things that their dreams begin to die.

In the craze of Pokémon Go, people have their heads buried in their phones and tablets trying to catch the most rare Pokémon. I recently downloaded the game, and found it was not worth the hype it’s generated. But now all I see is people with their heads down, staring at the wrong thing. They are not walking toward a successful future or goal.

How do we define our goals in life? How do we find the finish line and finish well, even though we may be bruised and beaten? This was the case with Derek Redmond in the 1992 Olympics. During the race when he was about 250 meters from the finish line, his hamstring tore causing him to drop to the track.

In an amazing feat, he got up and continued hopping toward that finish line. Soon joined by his father, Derek crossed the finish line dead last. In that moment, Derek had a life altering choice, sit and accept defeat, or get up and cross the finish line.

Where are you at in your life? Are you down for the count, accepting whatever it is that life has thrown your way, or are you picking yourself up and crossing the line.

We have a choice to make, like Derek did in 1992. We can either continue too focus our eyes on the wrong things, or begin to dream big and allow God to help us walk that dream out, like Derek’s father did.

Here are three vital reasons to dream big and stop focusing on the wrong thing.

1. Dreams don’t just happen.

You have dreams for tomorrow. You have that book inside that needs to be written. You want to create that podcast and share your unique voice with the world. There’s something that God has placed in your heart, but you’re wondering if it will ever come to fruition.

Dreams don’t just happen, they are born and they are matured by walking them out little by little each day. I didn’t expect to have several thousand people read my blog over the last year and a half. I wanted to change lives. I wanted to have my words affect the outcome of someone’s dream. It didn’t happen overnight, it began by getting up and writing every day.

If you want your dream to become a reality, you have to stop focusing on the wrong thing and begin focusing on what needs to be done. Ask yourself this one question; “what one thing can I do today to make my dream a reality?” Do that one thing each day and you’ll begin to see success.

2. Dreams die without action.

If we don’t actively pursue our dreams they will begin to decay like garbage thrown in a ditch. I mentioned above that dreams don’t happen, they are born and created. But because so many focus on life circumstances and the struggles they face, their dreams seem like an impossibility.

To see success, stop navel gazing and look up.

When we begin to take baby steps in securing our future we’re saying to our flesh, we are going somewhere and nothing is going to stop us. It’s people like Derek who don’t give up that see the greatest success. Even though he didn’t receive a gold medal, he was praised for his success. Why? He crossed the finish line.

If you don’t focus on the end result–the finish line–your dream will die and you will never see the success your dreaming for. Live your life for the finish line. Live your life for what’s to come by celebrating the wins and victories of today. Don’t look for the easy outs or the instant gratifications, they will only inhibit your success and ultimately cause you to lose sight of your dream.

3. Cross your finish line.

The biggest success for an Olympic runner is crossing the finish line. Even if they don’t win the gold, crossing the line in an Olympic game is an honor. These athletes train their whole life for the Olympics and being selected to be on your nation’s team means you are the best of the best.

The same is true in life. If you want to achieve gold in your life, be the best. Don’t stoop for mediocrity, strive for excellence. If you’re dream is to write that book, sit down and begin. Start now and don’t stop until you see the dream come to pass.

Even if you fail, that’s okay, you get back up and try again until you see success. Derek didn’t let a torn hamstring stop him from crossing that finish line, don’t let your failures stop you from crossing yours. Live your dreams by running toward the goal of the prize of the high call of God.

It takes faith to see the future and that dream come to pass. It takes courage to strive for that goal. And it takes tenacity to push through the hard seasons of life and cross that finish line. To truly find your voice and succeed at life, you have to see the dream, and live it out day by day.

How? 5 things:

• Stop focusing on the wrong thing.
• Keep your eye on the prize.
• No matter what life throws at you, get up.
• Lean on those who will help you win.
• Cross the finish line, no matter how hard it may be.

Answer this question in the comments section to continue the conversation.

[reminder]What are you dreaming for today? How will you get there?[/reminder]