UNCOMFORTABLE

One of the greatest barriers to achievement is the fact that the process can be uncomfortable. By very definition, achievement is the act of creating something, which hasn't existed before, and as such it is a journey into the unknown. Even when that achievement is something you desire very much, it is still something you have not known before. When you're moving toward that achievement, and especially as you begin to actually reach it, you start to feel uncomfortable.
It's natural to feel uncomfortable in new situations. That discomfort is no reason to turn back, no reason to abandon the achievement you so deeply desire. There is an assumption that this kind of discomfort is something to be avoided. But is it really so bad?
You've certainly been able to handle new situations before, and though they've been uncomfortable at first, you've eventually become completely at home with them. The discomfort brought about by pursuing achievement works the same way. It is only temporary, yet by going through it, onward toward the achievement, you'll create something with positive and lasting value.
Achievement can be uncomfortable, but it's really not so bad when you think about it. You'll be enjoying the value you're creating long after the discomfort has faded away.

WEAKNESS INTO STRENGTH

It doesn't matter that you've stumbled a dozen times, or a hundred, or a thousand. You can still get up and move forward just as surely and quickly as if you had never fallen.
Today is a brand new day, and the very place where you are is a starting point from which anything is possible. Get on with the business of living to the fullest. Never before have you had as much experience, or as much desire to move forward, as you do this very moment. Now is your time to really get it right; now is your time to shine.
Every weakness you've ever known can be a source of strength the moment you decide to overcome it. As soon as you see what has been holding you back, you've identified a powerful way in which to move forward.
It doesn't matter what your limitations have been or what they continue to be. What matters is your resolve to move on past them. For as soon as you know what to do and why to do it, it has already begun to happen.

AIM YOUR PRIORITIES

Take a look around you, right this moment, and you'll see the results of your past priorities. Whatever has been most important to you, whatever has been the focus of your time and commitment, has come to pass.
If you're satisfied and fulfilled by where you are, you know what it took to get there and you can continue cheerfully along the same path. If you're not completely pleased with the results of your past priorities, the first thing to do is change those priorities.
Every moment of every day you are committed to something. When enough of those moments are focused on a particular priority, on a particular possibility, that possibility will come to life.
Look at the possibilities that you've already brought to reality as the result of your focus and commitment. Whether you like the results or not, the fact is that you've definitely achieved results.
The question now is what results would you like to achieve next? Aim your focus, aim your commitment, aim your priorities, aim the efforts of each moment in the direction of those results, and they will most certainly happen.

THE LAST ATTEMPT

You will achieve what you fully and confidently expect to achieve, but usually not on the first attempt. The only real failure is an unwillingness to persevere until that last attempt, the one that brings success.
Each time you fall short of the goal is actually a solid step in the direction of that goal. Each attempt makes you that much more prepared to take the next step. You cannot know in advance just how many attempts it will take. Yet you can be sure that each attempt will bring you one step closer to success.
The world is full of great achievements from inventors, musicians, authors, scientists, salespeople, artists, engineers and many others who fell short on the first attempt. How fortunate we are that they had the foresight to keep going until they got it right.
Stopping before you reach the goal does not make the discouragement go away. All it does is make the discouragement permanent. Instead, keep going; keep making the attempt, until you make that last, fulfilling attempt that brings the success you desire.

Ralph Marston