Setting Goals

The most common reason we give up is that we no longer believe in what we’re doing. Either we don’t believe our effort can succeed or we don’t believe that success is worth our effort. Either way, once we lose our belief, we lose our will to continue.

And who can blame us? Why should we plant a garden unless we believe it will bear vegetables? Why should we build a house unless we believe it will provide shelter? Why should we undertake personal sacrifice unless we believe that our efforts have a chance of succeeding? Without belief, there will be no effort. Without effort, there will be no results.

Belief is the foundation of persistence. Without belief, you have no reason to complete a task. But with belief, you have no reason to quit.

Whenever you find yourself tempted to give up on a wish, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I believe I can make this wish come true?
2. Do I believe this wish is worth the effort?

If either answer is no, then you need to work on your belief before you can effectively work on your wish. Belief causes persistence. Persistence causes success.