Choose Your Focus

Florence Chadwick had a goal of being the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the California coastline. In 1952 she attempted that 26 mile swim, escorted by friends in small boats.

A thick fog set in. And after about 15 hours of swimming, Florence became tired, disoriented, and discouraged. Unable to see the coastline, she finally gave up and asked to be taken into one of the boats.

Sadly, she found out she had stopped swimming just one mile short of her destination.
Thankfully the story doesn’t end here. She decided to become better, instead of bitter. Two months later, she tried again and this time was different.

The same thick fog set in. Yet she made it—all 26 miles of it. She said that she reached her goal because she kept a mental image of the shoreline—in her mind—while she swam.

Florence reached her goal because she decided ahead of time, how she was going to think. She chose her focus. And so can you.

We all have goals. And when we attempt to reach those goals, make no mistake, we will face challenges.

Challenges are overwhelming, painful, and disorienting—if we see only the fog.

Maybe you have even tried to reach a goal—and fallen short. You may think that since you have failed once—that it is over. But don’t stop now. Become better—not bitter. Try it again.

This time prepare yourself better. Ask for God’s help and wisdom. And decide ahead of time how you are going to think when the fog sets in.

Choose your focus. Keep a mental picture of the shoreline and reach your goal.

“May he grant your heart’s desires
and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4 NLT