I was out walking our dog with my 10 year old daughter the other night when we stopped to watch our local pair of swans cross a busy road to get from one lake to another. Because Jesse – the dog, not my daughter – is apt to run at the swans, barking loudly, we held her back and watched their painful progress.
Swan is rather ungainly on land
They are rather ungainly creatures when on land – they waddled slowly; had difficulty getting down from one embankment and then up to another; didn’t seem to notice the cars – who thankfully noticed them AND slowed down. But what struck me was their absolute definiteness of purpose. Regardless of how slowly or awkwardly they moved or how difficult the ups and downs, these beautiful birds were bound and determined to get to their lake of choice. Once they reached the water’s edge and pushed off into the lake, they transformed into those graceful creatures that have long inspired writers of fairy tales and legends.
For me, a mere mortal, it was a riveting reminder of how I should be approaching my own goals – slow, steady and with absolute definiteness of purpose.
Dr. Napoleon Hill says Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.
No matter how I or my progress might look to others – ungainly, meanderingly slow – if I just keep my eyes on the goal, I will eventually get there. And enjoy it when I do!
Graceful swimming swans
Think for a moment about your New Year’s Resolutions – how are you doing so far? Have some or all of them fallen by the wayside already? Just pick them back up and start again! You don’t have to wait until next New Year’s. Pick your own starting point and do something to begin. Then take the next step, and the next, until, before you know it, you are almost there.
Do it with definiteness of purpose and you will enjoy both the journey and the arrival!
