‘I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over, and over, and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.’—Michael Jordan

Ever felt like you’re not doing enough? You’re not working hard enough. You’re not working fast enough. You’re not praying enough. You’re not studying enough. You’re not reading enough. You’re not learning enough. You’re not exercising enough. You’re not focused enough. You’re not cleaning enough. You’re not cooking enough. You’re not helping with the kids enough. You’re not contributing financially enough. You’re not thoughtful enough. You’re not romantic enough. You’re not smart enough. You’re just…not enough! You’re the short end of the stick.

Instead, you’re sleeping too much. Eating too much. Playing too much. Watching TV too much. Lapsing too much. You’re not good for too much. You slack too much. You think of yourself too much. You’re texting too much. Trolling too much. Chatting too much. You expect too much for little effort. You’re good for nothing. You’re a waste of time!

Where do these feelings come from? Do you feel internal pressure? External? Both? Is this reality?Is this true?

I don’t know. You must answer that question. The next time you look in a mirror ask yourself, ‘Am I a drag, or in Trini jargon, a ‘pull stones’? If the answer is ‘yes,’ you have some work to do. If it is maybe, you have some work to do. If it’s no, you still have work to do. Whatever the answer, we have to keep ‘doing.’ So, don’t give up!

It’s good to have multiple streams of income—passive income. But let’s not get it twisted. Getting passive income doesn’t mean we must be passive in everything. To live takes effort.

What is the solution to lethargy, laziness, or being lackadaisical? The wise man Solomon says to go to the ant, sluggard (Prov 6:6). Prioritize. At the same time, don’t be too hard on yourself. You can’t do or be good at everything. Being good at some things means you’re not so good at other things.

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:12-14:

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” NLT

Comparison is a killer. And so is contempt. Dr. Eric Thomas (ET), motivational guru, talks about getting up at 3 a.m. every day and grinding. He lives by the mantra, ‘when you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe then you’ll be successful.’ Don’t most of us want to succeed? And to succeed in the things that matter? (Re: Myron Edmonds, The Winning Circle). So, what are those things? Again, make a list and embrace Matthew 6:33, ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’

In between your list of priorities, make relaxation and rejuvenation a priority. Avoid burn out. Smell roses. Listen to music. Plan quiet time. Plan recreational activities. Set realistic and achievable targets. Execute. Be positive. Do something meaningful and beneficial to help others. Don’t let life just drift by. Do what you can. Push yourself at times but know when to cut back. Know when not to overextend. Sometimes we must burn the midnight oil, yet not burn both ends of the candle.

The psalmist said, ‘May the Lord show his constant love during the day, so that I may have a song at night.’ Psalm 42:8 A song at night can keep us going.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, ‘The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.’

Stay contented but not content to be average. Contentment is not the opposite of ambition. It’s recognizing that we can’t have everything though we can strive to fulfill our desires.

Real talk: I don’t know where you may be in your journey of life, but at whatever stage you’re at, I want to encourage you to keep living, working and striving to do your best.

Brad Wilcox said, ‘God did not remove the Red Sea, He opened it: He will help us find a way through our problems as well.’

Tom Haverford said, ‘Sometimes, you’ve got to work a little so you can ball a lot.’

‘If we ask anything according to His will he hears us’ (1 John 5:14).

A Prayer for Today

Lord, help us to know that You created us to be ‘enough,’ with a unique identity. You created us with the ability to develop and use our gifts and talents not for ourselves but for the benefit of others. Help us to achieve beyond what we could dream or imagine. We thank You for your love, your guidance, and strength to fulfill our purpose each day. May you receive all the glory and praise for our worthy accomplishments. In Jesus name, amen.