Optimistic Journey » Goals and Aspirations

If You Want it Bad Enough… (Accept no Excuses)

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:30:12 +0000

“If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don’t, you will find an excuse.” ―E. James Rohn

Every since we were kids we’ve had amazing dreams. For some, being the world’s greatest sports star or big time musician was the ultimate dream. Others wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer. For someone else, a firefighter or a teacher was enough to make their future a success.

Somewhere along the line, we stopped dreaming and started making excuses. We’ve allowed discouragement to set in and deter our focus. At some point, many have listened to the naysayers say things like, “that’s impossible” or “I tried that and it doesn’t work.” They would even go as far as to say, “your chances are slim to none compared to the other contenders.” And what’s worse is we’ve made excuses for ourselves.

But if you want it bad enough, you’ll accept no excuses. You’ll stop at nothing. God has given you all the tools to do any and everything you want to do. Tap into those tools. Take your God-given talent and put it to good use for you.

What dreams and visions have you forfeited? Maybe you wanted to be a big time lawyer, but you allowed room for the voices of defeat. Maybe all your life you wanted to lose weight and get in shape, but you made excuses to not go to the gym or eat right. Maybe your goal was to get back in school, but you’ve looked at all the reasons why you shouldn’t.

In the interim, it’s easy to think that you don’t have what it takes. It’s easy to get a chip on your shoulder and think that you’re at a loss. But let me encourage you today, excuses are lies in disguise.

Don’t allow deception to keep you from your God-given destiny. Don’t buy into the excuses. Don’t settle for defeat. If you want it bad enough, you’ll defy all odds.

When a naysayer comes and speaks against your dreams, simply say “excuse me, I don’t buy into excuses.” If a critic or an enemy comes to plant seeds of doubt, say “I’m a scouter not a doubter. I’m on a mission to fulfill my God-given destiny!”

Friend, if you want it bad enough you’ll make happen. Accept no excuses. Don’t settle for mediocrity. You’re extremely gifted and you were meant to do great things in the Kingdom of God. Don’t buy into excuses. No, make it happen regardless. When you do so, God will turn your broken dreams into fulfilled visions as you charge forth on your journey of life!

If you liked this article, be sure to share it on Twitter and Facebook. If reading this article via email, forward it to a friend. Also, click here to visit the site. Leave a comment and participate in the online community. Also be sure to follow Optimistic Journey on Facebook and Twitter:

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodLClark on Twitter

August 16, 2011 -- Don’t Wait too Long (0)
June 8, 2010 -- What Excuses Are You Making? (0)
July 13, 2011 -- It’s Not Too Late (1)
August 9, 2010 -- Now Is As Good a Time As Any to Start (1)
July 5, 2010 -- You’re Closer Than You Think! (2)

Stuck in a Rut? How to Get Out

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:49:40 +0000

By nature, we all desire to progress forward in life. We all have hopes, visions and dreams. But for many, its the same day in and day out, year in and year out.

For some, traditions are holding them back. Others fall prey to the barely-get-by, lackadaisical mindset. But know today that we serve a God who makes all things new. He doesn’t want you to be stuck in a rut. He wants to bring you into increase, promotion, and a higher dimension.

If you’re going to come into your God-given destiny, you’re going to have to leave the old mindset behind. Don’t fall prey to that toxic mindset that says, “I’ll never achieve that dream” or “I don’t have the talents to be an achiever.”

Don’t say what you can’t do, say what you can do. Don’t be stagnant, make positive declarations that will catapult you into your destiny.

I’ve heard it said that you believe more of what you say, than what anybody else says about you. If you’re going around saying, I’ll never break this bad addiction… I never get the right breaks… I never come into the right relationships, then that’s all you’ll ever acquire. Like the Children of Israel in the Bible, you’ll be stuck in a rut. You’ll be circling that same mountain over and over again, day in and day out.

In order to progress, you’re going to have to break bad traditions. If you’re going to stretch forth to the next level, you’ll have to change some things.

Instead of saying, I don’t have the talents, say I have everything I need to do anything I could imagine. Instead of saying, this relationship will never work, your declaration should be, I serve a God who mends broken relationships.

I’ve heard a great saying, “When you complain, you remain.” If you’re going to progress in life, you must first believe that a change is yet at hand. You’ll have to get rid of the limiting, defeating mindset and believe that you can achieve those dreams. You can get that promotion. You can break through into a higher dimension.

I always say, “change your I can’ts to the I cans.” In other words, let your declaration be, I can recover from a bad break. I can achieve the unachievable. I can break down the walls stagnation. When you do so, you’ll discover that with God, you’ll come into bigger opportunities, better relationships, and fulfilled dreams as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodLClark on Twitter

January 18, 2012 -- Have A Right Now Faith! (2)
August 19, 2011 -- Don’t Limit Yourself (0)
March 4, 2010 -- Progressing In Life – Accomplishing Your Goals Part 2 (1)
January 29, 2012 -- Too Blessed to be Stressed (0)
January 8, 2012 -- Your Enemies Will Promote You to Your Destiny (0)

Find the Lessons in Your Failures

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:24:35 +0000

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

Thomas Edison was one of the most brilliant inventors of all time. He was an inventor of many things that changed the world. The light-bulb was one which has a significant impact on us today.

I read where it was reported that Edison had nearly nine-thousand failed attempts at inventing the light-bulb. I would imagine that he got discouraged along the way. He probably felt like throwing in the towel.

But yet he had the courage, drive and determination to bring his invention to completion. He gave up at no end.

One day, he finally came into the success of completing the light-bulb. What I find interesting is afterwards, he was asked how it felt to have had nine-thousand failed attempts at creating the light bulb? He responded, “it felt great, for every time, I learned a way NOT to create the light bulb.”

I’m sure Edison lost hope along the way. I’m sure he had critics and naysayers saying, “Edison, it’s no use.” “Why don’t you just give it up? All the odds are in your favor.”

But Edison understood this principle. He understood that with great successes comes many failures. He knew that there were lessons in his failures.

What are those many failed attempts that you’ve thrown along the wayside? What about those unfulfilled dreams and visions that you’ve let go?

Let me encourage you today- there are endless possibilities. Just like Edison, you can come into your season of success if you don’t lose heart. You’ll reap your harvest of blessings if you don’t give up.

God has given you everything you need to accomplish anything you want. Just like Edison, you can learn from your failures. Let them serve as lessons to catapult you to your destiny.

Let your declaration be, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” No matter what your lot, no matter how impossible it might seem, know that with Christ there is a way.

I heard a wise man once say, “Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.” Maybe you could be one of the ones to prove a naysayer wrong. Maybe you could be one of the ones to do what the masses said can’t be done. Who knows, like Edison, if you’re persistent and you don’t lose heart, you can prosper in ways that will change the world for centuries to come. Find the lessons in your failures.

Rely on the seeds of greatness that are on the inside. God has given you all the tools you need to succeed. He’s given you determination, drive, motivation, perseverance, persistence and favor. When you tap into these God-given ingredients, he’ll cause you to prosper in more ways than you know as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodLClark on Twitter

April 13, 2010 -- Edison’s Persistence, Can You Use It? (2)
November 6, 2011 -- It’s by no Coincidence (4)
October 4, 2011 -- God Wants You to Prosper! (2)
September 13, 2011 -- Leave the Past in Your Blind-Spot (1)
March 10, 2010 -- Remain Persistent – Accomplishing Your Goals Part 6 (0)

What’s Your Bigger Picture?

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:20:55 +0000

Along the journey, it’s easy become distracted and neglect the things that matter the most. Little by little, if we’re not careful, we’ll allow our priorities to get out of order.

Day in and day out, we get so many distractions. We discover new ideas and new concepts. We’re confronted with new issues, we take on bigger challenges and responsibilities. Over a course of time, we’ll ever so gradually take our focus off the big picture: the purpose, goals, and destiny that God has in store for us.

When obstacles come to distract us, our “big picture” shifts. We allow the obstacle to become the big picture instead of the focusing on the finish line.

.Keep first things first. Don’t allow your “big picture” to shift. Keep your priorities in order. Your time and attention should remain on the big picture.

The enemy wants to distract you from God’s plan for your life. His plan for you is the big picture. It’s the thing that drives and motivates you. The big picture is the center of it all, it’s what gives you hope.

When you get a bad break, don’t allow this let down to deter your focus. Keep your focus on the big picture that God has for you. If one door shuts, realize that it’s the almighty God working to draw you closer to His plan for your life.

When you keep the bigger picture in mind, everything else falls into place. Today, I’m asking you, what is your bigger picture? Are you allowing the complications, disappointments, failures, and rejections to become the center of your life? Or are you remaining focused on your ultimate destiny, purpose, and things that God has in store for you?

Instead of focusing your time and attention on the distractions, keep the bigger picture in mind. When you do so, you’ll come into the peace and contentment that God has in store for you as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Photo credit: by Symic

December 19, 2011 -- How the Words “So What” can Change Your Life (4)
November 13, 2011 -- Only Regard the Things that Matter (0)
September 12, 2011 -- Look for the Silver Lining (0)
July 13, 2011 -- It’s Not Too Late (1)
June 29, 2011 -- He Has A Purpose for You! (0)

Your Labor is Not in Vain

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:53:30 +0000

Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. There will be times when you’re tempted to think that your work is in vain or that you’ll never gather the fruits of your labor. But you never know, your just reward may be closer than you think.

You see, humans can forget the little things you do. They may forget the times you went the extra mile or those times you went above and beyond the call of duty. But not with God, He records every little thing you do. And the good news is, there will be eternal rewards for those who serve Him faithfully.

1 Corinthians 15:58 tells us to “be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Sometimes, there’s a natural tendency to let the outside circumstances affect the nature of our work. And if it seems like our work is pointless or our labor is in vain, we start to loose faith in our efforts and abilities.

But know today, my friends, that your labor is not in vain. Sooner or later, you’ll gather the fruits of your labor. As the scripture says, you just have to “remain steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” When discouragement comes, shake it off. When doubt sets in, dig your heels in deeper. Don’t allow it to throw you off course. Instead, stand strong, be bold and courageous.

God never forgets the little things you do. There is no such thing as something that goes over His head. The scriptures describes Him as omnipotent and omniscient. That means He’s all-powerful and all-knowing. He makes a record of all your efforts and He will reward you justly.

I love what Galatians 6:9 says. It urges you to “be not weary in well doing, for in due season, you will reap of harvest of blessing if you faint not.” Be encouraged my friends. Continue your work for the Lord. When you do so, you will gather the fruits of your labor as you charge forth on your journey of life!

If you liked this article, be sure to share it on Twitter and Facebook. If reading this article via email, forward it to a friend. Also stop by the site, leave a comment and participate in the online community.

Photo credit: by blimpa

July 17, 2011 -- There Is Rest for the Weary (2)
June 28, 2011 -- Your Work Is Not In Vain (1)
June 16, 2011 -- Don’t Be Weary In Well Doing! (2)
May 19, 2010 -- Build Your Work Momentum And Watch Miracles Happen (3)
December 23, 2011 -- Have Yourself a Very Fearless Christmas! (0)

Don’t Wait too Long

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:12:42 +0000

Many people have a tendency to procrastinate in one way or another. We all have excuses that cause us to delay our goals for another day.

When you continue to make excuses or wait until the right circumstances are in place, you run the risk of never achieving your dreams. There comes a point in time when you have to override the excuses and take action.

I want to encourage you to take action as soon as possible. Don’t wait too long before charging after your destiny. Everything doesn’t have to be in place before starting. No, sometimes you have to take a step out on faith.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”

I always say life if full of twists and turns. Even if the conditions are favorable in the beginning, whose to say that they will stay that way? Whose to say that the adversary won’t throw a curb ball your way?

I’d encourage you to do like the scripture says. Don’t wait for the perfect weather. Don’t wait until conditions are perfect, no, you must be diligent. You have to charge after your dreams even when things around you aren’t looking favorable. A curb ball may get thrown but continue to take action. It may rain on your parade but don’t delay, continue to take action.

If your goal is to buy a new home, call up a real estate agent. Take a drive out and look for a new home. Don’t delay, take a step out on faith and watch God carry you the rest of the way.

If your goal is to lose weight and get in shape, start out small. Do small exercises just a few times a week. Start by curbing your diet. Don’t put it off further. Don’t make excuses. Don’t look at all the reasons why you can’t do it, look at all the reasons why you can do it.

Let procrastination be a thing of the past. You will always encounter excuses on why you shouldn’t do this right now or why it would be impossible to do that, but fight the urge. Don’t procrastinate, take charge and go after your destiny.

You will be surprised at what you can accomplish when you start making excuses on why you can do it, instead of why you can’t do it. Delay no further and take action. Before you know it, you’ll be one step closer to your destiny!

Photocredit: by mr. nightshade

July 5, 2010 -- You’re Closer Than You Think! (2)
January 31, 2012 -- If You Want it Bad Enough… (Accept no Excuses) (0)
July 13, 2011 -- It’s Not Too Late (1)
August 9, 2010 -- Now Is As Good a Time As Any to Start (1)
June 30, 2010 -- Plot Your Course (3)

It’s Not Too Late

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 04:18:15 +0000

One of the greatest deceptions we fall prey to is believing that it’s too late to achieve our goals. The greatest trick of the enemy is to cause you to abort the divine appointment God has for your life.

Too often, we tell ourselves that our dreams are too far out of reach. We think that we’re too old to achieve them, or we don’t have the talents, or we don’t have the motivation. And many people even go as far as to make up excuses for why they shouldn’t achieve their goals.

But you should know that if God has given you a dream and a destiny, it’s your job to fulfill it. He may give you an assignment early on in life or He may reveal it to you at a much later age. But know that if God has given you a goal to shoot for, you should defy all the reasons why you shouldn’t do it. Instead, be bold and courageous enough to take a step of faith!

Remember, Moses was eighty years old when God sent him back to Egypt to deliver the children of Egypt out of bondage. Abraham was ninety-nine when he had his first son, Issac. Noah was over five-hundred years old when God told him to build the ark. So my friend, it’s never too late for you.

That business that you’ve been wanting to start, it’s not too late. That house that you’ve been looking for, it’s not too late. Maybe you want to lose weight and get in shape, it’s never too late. Perhaps you want to travel the world and see the sights, it’s not too late!

Whether God gave you the vision or it’s a desire that you have- if it’s edifying and worthy of praise, then know that God is backing you up. And when God is backing you up, then nothing can stop you. If God be for you who can be against you. In Philippians 1:6, Apostle Paul says, “I am confident of this one thing, that He who has begun a work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” That means, if God started it then He’s going to finish it. He won’t allow you to fail, He’ll cause you to prosper!

There may be some difficult challenges along the way. There may be some burdens or hardships or obstacles to slow you up. But take courage in the Lord and keep hoping and believing. Know that with man nothing is possible but with God all things are possible. Know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Photo credit: by kelsey_lovefusionphoto

August 16, 2011 -- Don’t Wait too Long (0)
August 9, 2010 -- Now Is As Good a Time As Any to Start (1)
December 10, 2009 -- The Difference Between God’s Will and Your Will For Your Life (0)
January 31, 2012 -- If You Want it Bad Enough… (Accept no Excuses) (0)
June 29, 2011 -- He Has A Purpose for You! (0)

He Has A Purpose for You!

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 03:27:55 +0000

“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.”

God has a plan for all of our lives. From time to time, you might get tempted to think, “well, I don’t have any gifts or talents.” You might think that you have no purpose, but God has a plan even for you!

He assures you that even before you were formed in the womb, He knew you and He set you apart. Isn’t that amazing? That God had something great in store for you even before you were thought of?

I believe that if you seek the Lord God, He will show you the plans He has in store for you. Notice the scripture didn’t say He has plans for you to just barely get by. No, it says He has plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future!

I dare you to walk around in expectation! He has gifts and talents waiting on you but in order for them to revealed you have to seek after Him. You have to inquire about your purpose and His plan for your life!

Not only does he have a plan for you but He’ll carry it on until the end. I don’t believe it’s God’s will for you to give up on your gifts and talents. The apostle Paul says in Philippians 1:6, “I am confident of this, He who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Know that whatever He’s birthed in you, He will finish it. Don’t be discouraged- don’t be dismayed. The Lord has birth something great in you. My friend, that talent that you have the you’re passionate about, that may just be the thing to spark your destiny. That gift that you’ve been putting off, put it off no further. Go after it with all heart and diligence.

When you seek God’s plan for your life and allow Him to work through you, I believe He will carry you on into your purpose. Seek him with all heart and diligence and watch as He reveals your destiny. In addition, He will carry you into a higher dimension as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Photo credit: by FTGRF photography

April 17, 2010 -- 5 Goals Worth Setting (4)
July 13, 2011 -- It’s Not Too Late (1)
August 9, 2010 -- Now Is As Good a Time As Any to Start (1)
December 20, 2009 -- Relieve The Stress by Changing Your Thoughts (0)
December 10, 2009 -- The Difference Between God’s Will and Your Will For Your Life (0)

Don’t Be Weary In Well Doing!

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:09:34 +0000

There are times when we’re tempted to give up when things aren’t happening the way we think they should be. Often enough, we throw in the towel and lose all hope.

But I like how the scripture says in Galatians 6:9, “Be not weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap a harvest of blessing if we faint not.” That word faint in this context simply means to give up. It encourages us that, just when we feel like throwing in the towel, there is a harvest of blessing waiting on us if we continue to press on and not give up.

It’s so easy to look to the left and to the right and see the current situation. It’s so easy to fall prey to those negative thoughts that convince us that progress is too far out of reach. But if you’ll just keep doing your work for the Lord, in just the appointed time, you will see the fruits of your labor.

I like to call it the road runner mentality- that means you’re giving it all you’ve got but it just doesn’t seem like you’re moving forward. You’re kicking up nothing but dust from under your feet but it seems you’re getting no where. Be encouraged, my friend! Don’t be discouraged by what’s happening around you. Keep pressing on regardless. The scripture says the race is not given to the swift, neither to the strong but to he who endures until the end!

You see, God won’t give you an assignment that is too much for you to bear. It may be a tall order but there is no order too tall for God. And with God on your side, you can accomplish anything. You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you.

So I encourage you to set a good pace for yourself. You’re in it for the long haul my friend. Change your frame of thinking! God has given you a winner’s mindset. I believe if you keep pressing forward and don’t give up, God will carry you into a higher dimension and you will see an over-abundance of blessings as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Photo credit: by smith_cl9

October 24, 2011 -- Harvest Where You Didn’t Plant (0)
October 3, 2011 -- Your Labor is Not in Vain (1)
November 24, 2009 -- Grab Hold of Your Harvest (1)
January 18, 2012 -- Have A Right Now Faith! (2)
January 15, 2012 -- Plant Good Seeds! (2)

Fish Out In The Deep

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 03:08:36 +0000

I’m reminded of the story in Luke 5 where the Disciples we’re fishing in shallow waters. After they toiled all night they came up empty handed. At this point they became discouraged and tired.

Then Jesus told Peter to gather the fishermen and go out into the deep and fish again. Peter replied, “Master we worked all night and caught nothing.” He said “but if You say so, I’ll let the net down again.”

The story goes on to say that when Peter went further out into the deep, they caught so much fish that their nets broke. They had to call out for the other boats to fill their nets. It turns out that in the end, they had an abundance-overflow of fish.

This story is representative of the way many of us live our lives. For many Christians, shallow water represents shallow living. Remember, Peter said, “We toiled all night and were exhausted. But because You have instructed so, I will.”

This should be the anthem in the mouths of believers. Too often, we fish in the shallow waters of life. We go where we’re comfortable but come up empty handed. We set high goals but often times we’re not willing to roll up our sleeves and get down and dirty.

You should learn to defy the excuses. Disobedience will get you no where. Instead of making excuses learn to be just like Peter and say, “Because you have said so Father, I will do as you’ve instructed.”

When you take this approach, I believe you will discover an overflow of blessings in your life. God will shower down more blessings than you have room enough to receive.

Make a choice to go out into the deep. Set sail to discover new horizons in life! Once you take this step of faith, I believe God will continue to bring about more increase for you as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Photo credit: by !!sahrizvi!!

November 29, 2011 -- What’s Your Bigger Picture? (2)
July 13, 2011 -- It’s Not Too Late (1)
June 29, 2011 -- He Has A Purpose for You! (0)
September 15, 2010 -- What’s Influencing You? (1)
August 9, 2010 -- Now Is As Good a Time As Any to Start (1)

Optimistic Journey » Goals and Aspirations

If You Want it Bad Enough… (Accept no Excuses)

Related Posts

Stuck in a Rut? How to Get Out

Related Posts

Find the Lessons in Your Failures

Related Posts

What’s Your Bigger Picture?

Related Posts

Your Labor is Not in Vain

Related Posts

Don’t Wait too Long

Related Posts

It’s Not Too Late

Related Posts

He Has A Purpose for You!

Related Posts

Don’t Be Weary In Well Doing!

Related Posts

Fish Out In The Deep

Related Posts