Pressing Toward the Goal

Watching college football today, I noticed how players will get an extra spike of energy and determination as they near the goal line. Often times, as a running back or a receiver approaches the end zone, it’s as if they are able to find another gear and produce a new level of effort. Although they are hit and wrapped up by defenders, their legs keep grinding, forcing them forward even if it’s only inch by inch. You will sometimes see a ball carrier dragging three or four defenders with him across the goal line. The proximity to the end zone – to the goal, to the prize – allows him to dig deeper.

In life, unlike football, we often times can’t see the end zone. There are no goal posts or brightly colored grass marking the desired destination. Life is missing hash marks along the field, showing our progress. No first down markers give us definitive victories along the way. The oftentimes lack of measurable progress and unknown proximity of payoff can cause us to lose our edge, our drive and determination. Some of us have been so close to a breakthrough but we quit because we couldn’t see the “end zone” and give up just outside the plane of the goal line.

Our goals and dreams rarely provide us clearly delineated yard lines so we can be assured of our progress. This can be psychologically devastating as it leaves us wondering if we will ever make it or even question if we are headed toward the right goal. It can make persevering a chore.

There is no easy fix, but part of the solution is to envision the goal line. You have to “see” what a touchdown looks and feels like before it ever happens. You have to force yourself to be specific in detailing how the end zone will appear when you arrive. Also, just like those hash marks and yard lines on a field, find a way to measure advancement. Likely, this will require some out-of-the-box thinking. Lastly, just like a first down marker in football, celebrate the small victories. Break down the sometimes overwhelming goal into multiple, smaller wins. Most off all, keep grinding your legs, otherwise you will never know whether or not the goal line is right in front of you.

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