People in our lives mostly want the best for us and they tell us so. From the time we are small these same people manifest their love and high hopes for us always. This group of relatives or friends can usually be depended on for encouragement and emotional underpinning to keep us on the right track and moving forward.
There is another group that seems to play the role of antagonists and obstructionists to us and our goals and objectives. It does not matter what the issue is, these associates of ours are always on the attack to destroy our motivation and our forward movement. This group you cannot depend on for anything good.
There are times, however, when we take on something that others do not think we should take on. These same people do not believe we have what it takes to accomplish the goal we set before ourselves. During these times is when we get to know our closest and most important supporters in a much more intimate way. Let me explain: In most cases your cheering section consists of those who really do believe in you and they tell us so constantly. This support seems unshakeable. Then, along comes a challenge or a trophy that we want to win. Suddenly, our unshakeable support from those who know us well begins to erode or is withdrawn completely. Most of the time this loss of support comes as a by product of their own insecurities, e.g., They say to themselves, “If I can’t see myself doing this then I KNOW Doug cannot do it.” Thus is born the period of going it alone.
The “Period of Going it Alone” is the time when all those people who have decided that we cannot “do it”. In other words, they have withdrawn their confidence in us to win or to accomplish “this thing” we have said we want. In other words they are saying and demonstrating that they don’t believe we can “do it.” This is the time when we have to be courageous in our quest to reach our goal knowing full well that there are those who are watching our every move. They have bet against us and they are looking for validation that they ‘re prediction is correct which will be manifested by our failure.
To reiterate, this is the time when we have to perform. We have to prove to ourselves and others that we are serious and capable of winning in the face of great opposition. We have to develop a heart that believes that we cannot fail. When Jesus began his final journey to Jerusalem, it says that “he set his face like flint (resolutely) toward Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51) We have to focus on the goal. We cannot take our eyes off the prize. Nothing can come into our field of vision as we progress to the end.
It’s because we know that those who have decided that we cannot “do it” are watching and we dare not flinch or stop. We have to totally believe that we are going to win despite the naysayers that are watching our every move. In short: “WE HAVE TO WIN” for a myriad of reasons but the biggest one is that many have cast their votes against us. In order to regain their favor and to bolster our confidence we have to win. Failing is not an option.
In closing. Know that when we set goals there are those who are pulling for our failure and demise just so they can jump on our grave. These people should not be given too much attention during our quest. Instead, we have to focus on all the details that are required to win. We have to see the goal that drives us forward. Nothing else can matter because we believe we can “do it.”
Until next time I remain, Douglas E. Graham, Lt Col, USAF, (ret), MHSM
Six Pack and Senior 