Many of us have goals that we aspire to accomplish in life. Yet, few actually do what is necessary to achieve these goals. This often occurs because we are holding on to things that are hindering our progress. If we desire to be successful in life we must learn to eliminate those things that act as road blocks on our journey to dream fulfillment.
When contemplating this issue I began to reflect upon the lizard. This small, yet captivating creature can teach us a thing or two about achieving goals. The lizard is so focused on achieving his goal that he is willing to eliminate anything that will keep him from it, even a part of himself. You see, the lizard’s only goal is survival and if he finds himself threatened by a predator he has the uncanny ability to detach his tail from his body. This defense mechanism allows him to escape from his attacker, preserving his life and achieving his goal.
There are two valuable lessons that can be learned from the behavior of the lizard. First, we must learn to identify those things that will keep us from achieving our goals, and second, we must be willing to cut those things off without hesitation.
Identify Hindrances. The lizard clearly understands that when his tail is in the claws of a predator it has become a hindrance and must go. He has clearly identified his tail as something that is holding him back from his goal. We too may have hindrances. Bad habits, laziness, dream sucking individuals, time wasters, and distracters are simply a few examples of things that can keep us from our goals.
Be Decisive and Take Action . In the pursuit of our dreams and goals there is no place for hesitation. The hindrances you’ve identified in your life must be cut off today! Just imagine if the lizard hesitated to release his tail when under attack. A second of hesitation could cost him his life dream of survival. Are you willing to take that chance?
In the case of the lizard, it is a no brainer. It is obviously much better to lose a tail than to lose a life. Does the life of your dream hold such value? If so, start identifying hindrances and cut them off today.
This will require effort on your part. The lizard’s ability to detach himself from his tail is instinctive. We are not wired with that same instinctive ability. Therefore, it is going to require a bit of effort on our part.
Fortunately we don’t have to do this on our own. God is an ever present help. He understands the necessity of cutting things off. As a matter of fact this is His principle. In Matthew 5:29 Christ states, “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” As Christians are ultimate goal is heaven and if anything is preventing us from getting there, it’s got to go!!
Question: What things have you identified as hindrances in your life? What steps did you take to eliminate them? Please share your insights and strategies by commenting below. Also, be sure to share this post and subscribe!