Don’t let Objects Object to Your Objectives

Have you ever had this happen? You have an objective or goal in mind, make some progress, and then seem to hit barrier after barrier.

I have been saving for a motorcycle for a long time now. Thank God I have made the progress I have made. I’ve noticed, though, if something gets in the way or even seems to, it affects me. I can tell you. I am not pleased with how I respond sometimes. It’s like I bypass Go and end straight up at negativity.

What can we do when this happens?

First, try to get a different perspective. Talk with a close loved one, one who will be honest. If you can, try to interact with one who leans positively. Be in a space to listen. Sometimes, when I’m bothered by a negative thought, for example, it is hard for me to listen because I tend to get consumed with my thoughts. As you listen, your loved one can also help you with the next thing.

Investigate the facts. Is your perception factual or just that—a perception? I notice that often my reaction is not based on facts. It can be just the thought of something getting in the way. I skew negatively naturally. It is easy for me to 0 to completely negative. See what the facts are.

Take a break. No, a real break, not the kind of break in which you become even more consumed with your negative thinking. Trust me! See what you can do to keep yourself busy. Get your hands busy. Do a chore. Exercise. These things have their own benefits anyway. Completing chores give you a sense of accomplishment. They feel good to tick another thing off the list. Exercise has its own mental benefits. Take a walk. Use your senses as you do so. Take pictures of nature. Grounding exercises such as these keep you in the present. If you’re in the moment, you do not have the mental capacity to be in the past or worrying more and more about the future.

If you’re a religious person like me, I find prayer really helps. Sometimes, it takes talking with someone to remind me. Sometimes, it’s going through the previous actions and then realizing, “Hey, I can pray.” I do not mean treat God like a genie—not at all! I find it is a good opportunity to be authentic, to let God know, “Yes, God, I’m frustrated.” Explain your feelings. Yes, He knows anyway. But, I find this helps me. Having scriptures in mind for just these kinds of moments help as well. See, though, my problem is bypassing all of these things and going straight to negative. When I do this, I try to repent and apologize. It’s not always a faith problem. Sometimes, things happen that really do get in the way. That does not mean that I (or you) did anything to cause them.

So, yes, I have had some objects deterring me from my objective of buying a motorcycle. It’s been a slow process saving the money. Things have happened. Like my wife told me the other day: Thank God we can pay them; thank God it wasn’t worse. Besides, I don’t even know which motorcycle I want to buy yet. It’s a humbling thing. God’s timing is better than my timing. It just hit me that I’m in what Dr. Seuss called “the waiting place.” I do not like to wait. Ever. In the past when I have, however, the wait and results were worth it. I’m going to keep doing these things as often as I can remember. I’m going to keep saving. I’m going to keep reviewing motorbikes and learning every chance I get to ride.

Don’t let the objects object to your objectives. Stay strong. Keep the faith. Keep taking one step forward, no matter how big or small.

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