For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Everything begins with a thought, an idea, a notion. Before a new structure can be built, the developer must first have a concrete concept of what he intends to build. Before an archer releases an arrow, he must first focus on his target. And before we can achieve any goal, big or small, we must first take aim at that goal.
In design, the artist targets our attention to whatever her thought, idea, or concept is through EMPHASIS. The emphasis of a piece is what catches our eye and draws us in. It is the point the designer intends for the viewer to focus upon. In designing our success, we will learn to emphasize our primary goals and make them the focus of our lives.
Imagine sitting in a concert hall, awaiting the beginning of a performance. Suddenly, the lights dim to a faint glow, the crowd hushes, and a steady white beam shines on the left side of the stage. Where does the crowd look?
One thing to remember about emphasis is that it’s not really the goal itself we need to concentrate on, but rather how the achievement of that goal will affect and enrich our lives. Back to the concert hall and the spotlight, which is now the audience’s center of attention. Is viewing the light the purpose of attending the event? Of course not! The crowd has gathered to hear a great concert, or perhaps laugh at a comedian, or even watch a child perform in her first piano recital. The light merely guides the group’s attention toward the anticipated experience.
Some people fail to reach their goals because they focus solely on the goal itself rather than what the achievement of that goal will mean for them and their families. They focus on the process instead of the effect. This is the same as focusing on the spotlight instead of the performance. As we learn to emphasize, we’ll begin to focus our sights on how the attainment of our goals can benefit us and how we can use the accomplishment of our goals to bless the lives of others. In other words, we need to shift our focus from the WHAT to the WHY.
As you ponder your goals for the coming year, consider the WHY behind each one. Make sure the WHY you choose is the reason YOU wish to achieve each goal!
Do you wish to finish a novel that has been collecting dust in a file cabinet somewhere? If so, WHY?
- To become a rich and famous novelist?
- To release a story that has been burning inside you for years?
- To inspire and encourage others with a story God has laid on your heart?
Find out which reason more closely matches the purpose behind your goal, then ask yourself WHY again.
- WHY do I want to become rich and famous?
- WHY is the story within me so important that it must be told?
- WHY do I wish to inspire and encourage others?
Keep digging deeper into the REAL reasons behind your list of goals, and each day as you’re trudging toward those goals, remind yourself of your WHY. That is emphasis in action!
I hope you have a blessed day!
Note: For those who are reading the Bible through this year, today’s reading is (using a chronological schedule) Genesis chapters 1 and 2.
