Focus on Your Vision Not Your Circumstances

I have been very fortunate as far as my health is concerned. I exercise, eat right, and refuse to take medication or visit clinics or hospitals (unless absolutely necessary). My father on the other hand was not so fortunate. He passed away from throat cancer at the ripe age of 83.

Imagine laying on your death bed, after having fought cancer for 5 years, and your focus is not on your circumstances but your vision for your family. Watching those last few minutes of breath rushing from his lungs, with the death rattle fading, I can only lift him up as he spoke to me and said, "Love God and Follow Your Dreams". As tears rolled down my face, I had never felt such greater love.

My father was a military man his whole life. After retirement, the U.S. Army bestowed on him their highest recognition, a General. I can only assume that his focus on others and not himself while on his death bed had something to do with the discipline learned through the military. I love you pops, RIP.

Fast forward to today's world, and the 2015 NFL playoffs. As of this writing, the Indianapolis Colts are preparing to play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Chuck Pagano, is very inspiring as well. As he fought his battle with cancer to return to the sidelines with his team, his message was the same, "Focus on your vision, not your circumstances."

Why is this so important? Because as all the personal development and religious experts tell us, your life will reflect what you focus on. As world reknowed personal devleopment expert Jim Lutes states in his subconscious mind programming teachings, "What is expected tends to be realized".

Do know anyone that is just the opposite? I mean, they always see the dark side of things or they are always talking about what could happen or what could go wrong? I know one person that comes to mind. Don't get me wrong, they are a true friend, but always focusing on the negative. It drives me crazy. As a business owner, we have enough issues to deal with on a daily basis. From advertising, budgeting, payroll, employees, etc. The last thing I want to hear is the gloom and doom of someone else's issues.

So how do we constantly focus on the vision and not the circumstance? In my opinion, it takes a combination of factors.

First, you must know your vision. Why are you doing what you are doing? What is your ultimate destination? Do you even know where you want to go? I would suggest writing down on a sticky note your top 10 priorities and goals, placing them on your bathroom mirror and inside your car dashboard. Why? Because what you focus on will be realized.

Second, you must have a belief that your goals will transpire. Do you believe? You see, as Jim Britt, Quanta co-founder teaches, "All beliefs are false anyway". As Jim teaches, ti doesn't matter if what you believe is true or false, what matters is that you believe it to be true.

Third, do you have a plan to get there? This plan can be tweaked along the way (just ask Edison as he tweaked over 10,000 times to invent a light bulb), but make a plan.

Fourth, remain focused on your outcome. Coach Pagano was determined to beat cancer. He did it by remaining focused on getting back on the sidelines with his team.

Fifth, don't give up. This never give up attitude is pre-dominant in all the greats of the world.

You will encounter obstacles, setbacks, challenges, unexpected issues that you didn't plan for. We all do. Remain focused on your vision and it will come to pass.