How Bad Do You Want It?
When the world says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’ – Author Unknown
Article written by contributor Jarrod Clark of Optimistic Journey.
Once again, we’ve entered into a season of new beginnings, and we’re facing the same yearly traditions. Many people are reflecting. Some are letting go of things. And others are making plans to set resolutions and bring about positive change into their everyday lives.
It’s great to set goals and resolutions for the future. But what happens if you slip off? What happens when things don’t go the way you want them to? What happens when unexpected obstacles come along the way? Do you forfeit your resolutions until next year?
These are all questions that we should ask ourselves. But what’s more important, are the answers we come up with.
How bad do you want it?
You see, there’s nothing wrong with setting a resolution.
But the trick is to be persistent and disciplined enough to keep on keepin’ on when the goin’ gets tough. If an unexpected challenge poses a threat, that’s okay. Don’t let that keep you from making remarkable accomplishments. Be persistent; keep pressing forward with the end result in mind.
I heard a wise person say, “If you want it bad enough, you’ll get it.” This poses another question. The question I’m asking you is: How bad do you want it?
If you want it bad enough, you’ll let nothing stop you. If you want it bad enough, you’ll defy all odds.
Know today that you’re equipped, empowered, and strengthened to do anything you set your mind to do. If an obstacle or setback arises right now, don’t wait until the 2013 circles around before you start again. Instead, pick it back up the next day. If you stumble on the next day, pick it up again the day after.
The key
Maybe you want to lose weight and get in shape this year.
If a two or three week gap goes by and you stumble on your diet and exercise, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It simply means you’ve faced opposition along the way. Simply pick it up again at the next opportune time.
But be disciplined enough to push yourself and not settle for excuses.
Maybe you want to start a business. If you face a few closed doors and things don’t add up, that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. No, that’s an opportunity for you to exercise what I like to call “stick-to-it-tiveness.” That means you’re persistent, determined and dedicated to keep at it until you persevere.
In life, there will always be opposition. The key is to be determined.
Don’t let a setback keep you from your God-given destiny. Don’t allow disadvantages or challenges cause you to throw in the towel.
Instead, be persistent and take faith-filled actions, and you’ll see positive change happen as you charge forth on your journey of life!
I’d love to hear from you. What are some resolutions that you plan on executing in this New Year? Share in Comments below! Reading by email? Visit the blog to leave your resolution!
More from Jarrod Clark
Jarrod Clark is the author and founder of OptimisticJourney.com where he provides inspirational messages for maintaining an optimistic outlook on life. He writes from a place of life experiences, trials he’s faced, and failures and successes that he’s encountered, and uses the inspiration obtained during those storms and shares it with you.
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Comments
18 Responses to “How Bad Do You Want It?”
What do you think?
I love this, Jarrod, thank you!
I would label my self a “feeler”. As I create through my site, I originally had a friend who is extremely talented in web design and code help with everything on it. But,I also believe that this is my “baby” if you will and that each page absorbs the energy of the creator..so I wanted to learn and be hands on in each process. So much is custom on my site, that I know the code for anything I could want is somewhere within there..I just have to “see it”.
With this method, I have created some amazing stuff–beyond what I thought I could do–for I keep thinking I am not a “techie” I am a ‘writer and feeler’. Guess what? Some times there are tears, and I create through them…sometimes there is discouragement and frustration and I think how “easy” it is for a techie…but I *want it* and I want it so badly, that I work through those tears, that frustration and discouragement. And each time, my skills improve, but more than that, I think if I can do this with a “simple” computer page, what can I do in life?
Surely, create it…one moment at a time, through whatever is present:) Exactly as you affirm here!
Hi Jarrod,
We begin our trek towards our goals or resolution with determination. But after awhile, we tend to slip off as you say. Things do not go the way we planned, there are more challenges than expected and so on. As you rightly point out, we need to keep on persisting. It is ok to slip, but we must pick ourselves up and keep on trying again until we reach our goals.
My word for 2012 is “Perseverance.” It is a resolution of sorts to keep on persisting and not giving up. You see, I have already foreseen that 2012 will be a year of challenges which I have to bite through. As such, the vital element that will keep me going is perseverance. When I align my word and resolution with the challenges I face, I am more likely to stick to it no matter what.
Thank you for sharing this lovely article!
Irving the Vizier
Hi Jarrod,
I resolve as always, to make each year bigger than the last. We can live an ‘excuse ridden Life’ or an opportunities gained Life…..push aside the ‘excuses’, open up the possibilities & the path becomes clearer. Thank you for this.
be good to yourself
David
@Joy – I can certainly feel those frustrations that you voiced. I too, do all of the technical work behind my site as well as write the content. I think it’s great that you’re able to work through the storms, tears and frustrations. Keep up the good work. In the end, you’ll see the fruit of your labor and you’ll be glad you did it!
@Irving – That’s a great word to come back to, “Perseverance.” Yes, we will always face opposition when trying to stretch forth and make great accomplishments but one thing to keep in mind is the overall benefit and reason why you’re doing what you do. When we’re persistent despite the challenges, obstacles, and setbacks, and we don’t give up, we’ll reap a tremendous harvest if we remain persistent. Thank you for stopping by!
@David – I totally agree. Excuses are one of our greatest enemies, especially when we fall prey to them. We should all be open to the endless possibilities. Then everything becomes clearer! Thank you and take care, my friend!
Hi Jarrod, this reminds me of “The Last Lecture” – the famous book and speech by Randy Pausch. He talks about realizing his life’s greatest dreams but only after knocking down some brick walls one right after the other. The question he kept realizing was God asking “How bad do you want this?”
Alex, the picture of the wrapped hands held at the ready is working wonders for my determination to retain BIG TIME my identity as a WRITER!!!Thank you so much for ALL your wonderful words here, especially “Know today that you’re equipped, empowered, and strengthened to do anything you set your mind to do. If an obstacle or setback arises right now, don’t wait until the 2013 circles around before you start again. Instead, pick it back up the next day. If you stumble on the next day, pick it up again the day after.” I do not have to give up if I have just one “bad day”! Picking up the task right now as I write this comment!
Rose – the credit for the powerful words goes to Jarrod Clark, the author of this post. Like you, I find Jarrod’s message inspirational! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Hello Bryan – That sounds like a good book. I’ve never heard of it but sounds like something I’d like to read. But that’s a question that we’re all faced with when we’re staring at obstacles. Do we want it bad enough to tear down the obstacles or sit back and make excuses? Thank you and have a great day.
When I read the phrase “how bad do you want it”, it reminded me of a story I heard this week. I’d encountered variations before, but this is a video version for those that are interested. I’m not a sports nut by any means, but the story with this video helps define the phrase “how bad do you want it”.
http://vimeo.com/27933991
Hi Jarrod, I’ve not made any resolutions. I was determined to avoid them since my track record with resolutions is a bit dodgy. I have however started a diet and renewed some commitments in the last two weeks. I guess I’m in denial! LOL! Anyway, thanks for the good advice on sticktoitness;)
Hi Jarrod and Alex,
Very inspiring post. Exactly, one of the keys to success is determination. We have got to have persistence and determination. We are most likely that we will experience obstacles on our way to success, but when we are determined, we will keep moving forward and not give up. Thanks for sharing
Hi Jarrod and Alex,
Inspiring post! I love this line – Know today that you’re equipped, empowered, and strengthened to do anything you set your mind to do.
That says it all. Determination is one of the keys to success. We just need to remember that at all times we do have the power to accomplish our goals. Take care.
Hey Jarrod,
This is superb! There are people who know we need to be persistent but, your post will help them (& me too) to know how to be persistent. Thank you so much for this.
Hugs,
Sameer
@Rose – I’m glad the post inspired you. Keep writing and stay encouraged my friend! Happy 2012 to you!
@Michelle – thanks for sharing. I’ll have to check out the video. Stay encouraged!
@Leah – Good luck on your diet. I can certainly understand your decision for not setting resolutions. I didn’t set any resolutions either. I just focused on accomplishing short term goals that were already in effect prior to the beginning of the year.
@Dia – I believe you’re right. Persistence and determination is a big key to success. Thank you, my friend. Stay encouraged!
@Cathy – Yes, we do have everything we need to accomplish our goals. We just need to tap into those seeds of greatness that are sown on the inside. Thank you, my friend! Stay encouraged!
@Sameer – Thank you. Be persistent and determined to accomplish your dreams, my friend! Stay encouraged!
@Alex – Thank YOU, my friend! Your posts are very inspiring to me as well. Thank you for the awesome opportunity! I love what you’re doing here at The Bridgemaker!
Jarrod
Jarrod, thanks for sharing your wisdom and for being a part of this community – you really bring it!
Robert Half: “No one can be right all of the time, but it helps to be right most of the time.”