Why We Often Don't Achieve Our Dreams.

We all have a number of things we'd love to achieve. We call them dreams.

• We dream of being more physically fit. 
• We dream of writing a book.
• We dream of starting a church, business, or non-profit.
• We dream of getting a degree, or pursuing a new vocation. 

Most people have no shortage of dreams. Sadly, those dreams only seem to come to fruition in the lives of a select group of people. We call them "high-achievers". They seem more gifted than the rest of us. They seem to have more favor than the rest of us. They seem to have more "luck" than the rest of us. I've been thinking a lot lately about what separates those who tend to achieve from those who don't. The more I look at it, the less I believe it has much to do with giftedness, favor, or "luck" (I don't actually believe in luck...hence the " "). 

I believe what primarily, not exclusively, but primarily causes some to achieve and others not do, tends to boil down to two things:

Often what keeps us from achieving things we dream about, even the things we may feel called by God to is the inability to make a decision. Maybe you have ten ideas that you can't seem to get out of your head about. Maybe you know exactly what you want to do, but you lack the courage to simply decide to do it. This alone keeps so many of us from accomplishing so many of the things we'd love to accomplish. You won't do anything until you at least make a clear decision to do so.

Nike got at last half of it right when they penned the now famous "Just Do It" mantra. We often know exactly what we want to do, but we just can't seem muster whatever it takes to execute on our decision. There may be a host of reasons:

• Maybe you're afraid.
• Maybe the timing isn't right.
• Maybe you're not sure where to start.
• Maybe your idea isn't perfectly formed.

The list could go on and on. Ultimately, these are all excuses and excuses are the enemy of execution. The only way past fear is through it. The timing will never be perfect. It's better to start somewhere than do nothing. The best way to achieve clarity is usually to start working. Don't let excuses keep you from working hard at something God's put a vision in your heart to do.

I don't know about you, but when God puts something on my heart, I want to actually accomplish it. I don't want to bury that vision in the sand. I believe I'll give an account for that (Matt. 25:14-30). 

So, what's been floating around in your head and heart for too long now? My guess is, you already know what it is. Make a decision that you're at least going to take a good run at it and then execute on that decision. Who knows? You may just end up doing something you've always wanted to do.