Lisa Milk, President and CEO of LHOP Therapies, once identified twenty ways to maximize our daily potential.
Her list emphasized organization, preparation, and creating actionable pathways to accomplish our goals.
However, she also highlighted the power of appreciation and visualization.
There is a profound truth in the idea that if you anticipate good things, they are far more likely to occur.
The Power of Expectation
In my previous posts, I encouraged you to identify where you focus your time each day and why that awareness is so critical. As we continue through this year, we are presented with fresh opportunities to take what is truly meaningful and find ways to find ways to make it happen. To succeed, you must first believe that you can make a difference in your own life. That journey begins with the spiritual and mental act of anticipation.
The Bible reminds us of the importance of this mindset in Hebrews 11:1:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
When you anticipate good things, you are essentially operating in faith, trusting that God has a purposeful future in store for you.
From Vision to First Steps
To begin, select one thing that is truly important to you and establish it as your primary goal. Define exactly what this goal looks like and determine the necessary first steps. This stage is vital; many goals fail simply because we skip the preparation required to make them a reality.
Review your list of priorities and decide which one to tackle first. As you refine your plan, consider these five questions:
- Significance: Why is this goal so important, and how will it enrich your life?
- Timeline: What is the realistic time frame for those first small steps?
- Recognition: How will you recognize and measure your progress?
- Motivation: What will keep you moving forward when things get difficult?
- Reward: How will you celebrate your milestones and reward yourself?
Trusting the Process
Creating a life of meaning is not an accident; it is the result of intentionality, preparation, and a positive outlook. By narrowing your focus and asking the right questions, you move from passive dreaming to active achieving.
Trust that as you take these steps, you are aligning yourself with a greater purpose. When you anticipate good things with a heart of faith, you open the door for those blessings to arrive.
Threads of Life
We will all struggle with burdens and overwhelming odds at some point. But when we encourage one another to not only survive but thrive, we can go on to celebrate life.
How we respond to these experiences will weave together the fabric of who we are. In Threads of Life, you’ll find a tapestry of stories about overcoming adversity, taking that needed risk, and moving beyond your losses to empower your life and find the joy, comfort, and laughter that we all need.
Along the way, you’ll learn valuable lessons about endurance and resilience as you face formidable difficulties. Learn how focusing on what you can do instead of what you can’t enables you to climb any mountain, overcome any obstacle, and praise God in the process—the story of living.
Threads of Life is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book versions.