Creating a vision and achieving goals

Reflecting on the 3-17 lecture and video clips

The Made cheerleader clip shows how a unique combination of goal-setting, perseverance, and excellent resources can make just about anything possible. While having 2 out of 3 of this factors could certainly get you close to the finish line, having all of three of them will get you there almost every time. If you have excellent resources and clearly defined goals but no perseverance, how can you possibly maximize those resources to achieve your goals? If you have clear goals and a strong drive to reach them, but no resources, you could be in for a long uphill struggle on your own--which could eventually leave you frustrated, burnt out, or in despair. Finally, if you have helpful resources, plenty of energy to persevere, but no focus or direction, how will you know when you've achieved anything?

Everyone has a choice. You can either take control of your life and self despite your situation, or you can be a victim of circumstance. You can either defy expectations or fulfill them. Murry did not waste time feeling sorry for herself. She was accustomed to taking anything that came her way--food, a piece of clothing--and transforming it into something useful. She also applied this mentality to her emotions: any emotion that was not useful was either discarded or channeled into something that was. She is one of those people who truly believes that every day is fresh start and a chance to turn it all around. Many people say that, but few of them actually believe in it. It sounds so simple and easy at first...then you start thinking about long chain of yesterdays that have all been added up to put you where you are today, all the mistakes that you may have to undo in order to move forward, and suddenly, turning it all around doesn't sound so easy. It sounds like a whole lot of effort, and for many, it sounds virtually impossible. After considering the amount of effort it would require to change things, many people decide just to sink back into mediocrity and leave things the way they are rather than seize the opportunity to better their situation. When you think of it that way, it makes a lot more sense why so many people choose to settle for mediocrity or worse day in and day out.

Either a pat on the back, or a kick in the butt--whatever it takes to motivate you.