Plan Your Victory
By Maceo Keeling –
We are approaching the end of another year.
We will look back on 2016 with joy and sadness about the things we did and things we failed to do. Perhaps you’ve heard the old saying: “No one plans to fail, but many of us fail to plan.”
The question today is: “What is on your agenda for 2017?” What are the things in your life that you think about, dream about, and even hope for, that will make you do something differently than you did the previous year?
Will you move from your comfortable discomfort into uncomfortable progress toward your vision or quest? The only thing between where you are and where you are going is you. Get out of your own way! Tell yourself, “Yes I can,” instead of doubting your personal power.
While this is easier said than done, you can do it.
Get leverage on yourself by telling a trusted someone what you want to do. If they care about you, they will hold you accountable for what you have committed to do. We all need someone to hold us accountable. When you have endured the struggle and accomplished your goal, celebrate your success with those who were with you on the journey.
Here is a tip that I hope will be helpful to you: Look within yourself for what you like and for what you are willing to sacrifice in your life to achieve.
Too often we look at external stuff to make us feel accomplished. If you want to sing, write poetry, retire, get a job, stop smoking, start a business, open a bank account, buy insurance, lose weight, or gain weight, it all begins with preparation and action. You are taking a chance, so you need to plan and prepare yourself for success. Chance favors the prepared mind. Get your attitude right and then go all in! Whatever door you want to open for yourself, lean on it until the hinges come off.
Get your cheerleaders, praise team, prayer warriors, supporters, advocates, and friends engaged, and let them know your intentions. And then … it’s time to execute! Take the shot: be strong and committed to making things happen for us. Otherwise, you can trust and believe that things will happen to us.
Take the month of December and make your plan. Review your plan and share it with your crew. If you finish planning early, don’t wait: get started on your endeavor right away!
My dad often said, “It takes me half a day to handle my business and half a day to stay out of everybody else’s business—so I’m busy all day!”
Don’t let your future sneak up on you.
Remember: you don’t have to be great to get started, but you do have to start to become great! Set it off!
Answer the call.
Dr. King had a dream, now we must have vision. The Conscious Call radio program airs every Monday at 11:30 a.m. on WRES-FM 100.7. In a collaboration with the radio program, the Urban News will help keep readers informed about events, programs, news, and the progress of The Conscious Call. For more information, contact the Conscious Call at (828) 989-6999 and visit www.theconsciouscall.com.
The opinions and statements made in this column are solely the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of the Urban News.
