Focus on WINning

I listen to a lot of motivational videos on Youtube. Many are geared towards my workouts and get me in the right headspace for exercise. I have picked up on a lot of little helpful phrases that may be cliche but ones that are meaningful. I’d like to share one. Focus on winning. the WIN stands for what’s important now. Too often, I’m distracted by all the things going on in my life. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s important and idolize aspects of our lives. In doing this, we give up our power and control, letting our emotions and the distractions causing those emotions to run rappant.

I was visiting a friend yesterday and in catching up, we were chatting about life and how it’s a facade to get happiness from your job or to work yourself to the bone to “get ahead” while missing out on family and friends and actually enjoying free time because you’re so exhausted from work. I’ve fallen into this trap before and continue to but I am getting better. Running the rat race is one you’ll never win because there’s always another level, there’s always someone or something to compare to that isn’t you, and it leads to mental and emotional fatigue and burnout. It’s just not sustainable but we’re fed this by society of what is deemed important. Truth is, it’s up to US to decide what’s important.

Then there’s the focus part. Ah…focusing in today’s world is nothing short of a challenge. Keeping your eye on the prize they say. There’s so many things grabbing for our attention and the more we’re drawn to them, the harder they pull. It’s this vicious feed forward cycle that is detrimental. It takes years of mental discipline to begin to achieve freedom from the pull. As with everything else in life, God’s grace will suffice. From 2 Corinthians “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (12:9) We can ask God to guide our hearts and minds, to show us the way.

A more practical strategy is writing down what’s important and putting it in a place you can read everyday. A little sticky note is all that’s needed. You don’t need to do anything fancy or long winded. Things like family, friends, hobbies like reading or cycling, making a meal, concerts or plays are items that can be written down. Ask God to help guide you in things that are important. Things that make you who you are and will help bring you to that person when you’re feeling disconnected. God’s grace is sufficient.