Today, we all want to get to our destination as quickly as possible. Many of us get frustrated when things don’t happen fast enough. Take traffic for instance. How many times have you gotten stuck in traffic when you’re in a hurry to get somewhere? Or when you’re traveling by air and you find that your flight has been delayed! Probably more times than you care to remember. But what I’m talking about here is a goal put in motion. The desire to achieve something you feel is important to you.

I remember the time when I first walked into a gym. It was summer 1989 and it was quite a learning experience for me, grown men with huge muscles and making strange noises with the sound of weights dropping to the floor. To say I felt out of place would be an understatement! But I was on a mission. I wanted to look like I walked off the cover of Men’s Fitness and having ab’s of steel so I can pursue a particular cheerleader I was after at the time. Of course, what else would a 17 year old kid want?!

Well, I did get the cheerleader. But after several trial and errors it took me 7 years to get the body I wanted. During that time I immersed myself into every book and body building magazine I can find, searching for answers to help me achieve my goal. It seemed the more I searched the more confused I became.

As I look back at all the frustrations and set backs I’ve encountered I don’t regret that time period at all. There were several obstacles that could have shut me down and turn a dream that would later turn to reality into nothing more than a fantasy. I held onto my conviction and I remember making a commitment to myself that I would make it to the gym for a year and that I wouldn’t quit no matter what. Of course it would have been easy to walk away and come up with excuses on why it didn’t happen. Maybe place blame on circumstances and tell myself its ok. But I had someone to answer to… Me! I had set the goal in motion and there was no turning back.

I tell you this because you can achieve anything you want in life. Are there obstacles? Of course. Is it easy? Nope. I can’t tell you it is. That’s what makes the journey so appealing. It’s where the greatest reward is. If there were no challenges in life we would regress and fail to grow and miss out on many of the joys life has to offer.

When you put yourself on the line it’s scary because there’s risk involved. But once you realize that every step you take toward your destination you’re one step closer toward achievement. Think back to a time when you achieved something that was important to you. As you think back go to the beginning when you first started. It appeared daunting. For example, when you first went to college and were a freshman. You were overwhelmed with all the school work you had to do. Thinking you had 4 more years of this and trying to figure out how you were going to make it to graduation. At the time it seemed like an eternity. Then before you knew it it was over. So you asked yourself where the time went. The time went because you were enjoying the journey.

When you know success is imminent the path becomes thrilling and rewarding. Achieving the body or level of fitness your after is no different. As soon as you recognize small achievements daily and know that you’re moving closer to your goal there is no way you can fail. Will you stumble along the way? Sure. Many times. But as you continuously try to get better that gives you more reasons to enjoy the journey you’re on.

I have stumbled many times and I’m sure I’ll stumble many more as I pursue my personal goals. In fact, I look forward to falling down. It gives me another reason to get back up and create what I call “comebacks.” Slowly but surely after every “comeback” I realize I’m getting closer to my destination. Every time I get up I get more emboldened because I just overcame and obstacle that would have derailed me and by overcoming that obstacle I’m able to enjoy the thrill of that particular “comeback.”

Unfortunately, there are too many people seeking short cuts that fail to enjoy the sense of accomplishment.

In life there are checks and balances that take place. I suppose it’s just the way nature intended it. But imagine a life where everything came easily without resistance. No challenges. How boring and unhappy would life be?

Welcome challenges. They’re an essential part of growth and a barometer toward enjoying life on a continual basis. As long as you stay focused on the small achievements daily you will be thrilled every day and before you know it you will arrive at your destination and you won’t even realize it!