Becoming Our Best:  Focus

There is no one on earth just like you. You are created unique, with God-given gifts and talents all your own. You were placed here for this time with a purpose.

Focusing on who we can become, pressing in, and embracing where we are, help us become our best.

How would you describe yourself? By a title or your character, how you spend your time, or by your beliefs?

How you see yourself matters. Have you noticed that what you focus on, you notice far more? When eating healthy, you pay more attention to what you put into your body.

You don’t just snack on whatever you find when hungry, but intentionally choose healthy foods.

Or, when looking for a specific car to buy, have you noticed that all you see is that car in parking lots and on the road? It’s like that model is everywhere!

We all want to have purpose and meaning in our lives.

To believe that who we are and what we do, matters. We are more than the measure of the hats we wear for a season or the day we are having.

Would you agree?

Let’s look at the way we focus a different way. According to author James Clear in his book Atomic Habits, he says that habits are simple when they align with our identity. He says, “Behind every system of actions is a system of beliefs.” If we want to change or improve our habits, we focus on who we wish to become.

If I believe that I am active, eat healthily, and intend to maintain a healthy body, when asked if I’d like a donut, the easy answer is, “No, thank you. I don’t eat donuts.” There is a definitive resolve based on my identity.

However, if I see myself trying to lose weight, but often tempted by wrong food choices, when asked if I’d like a donut, I may reply, “No, thank you, I’m trying to lose weight.” The resolve is not there. A non-donut eater is not how I see myself, and given a stressful day, I may give in to temptation and eat that donut.

One of my most significant takeaways from Atomic Habits is that small changes have profound effects over time. This truth is motivating! An extensive overhaul with lots of changes is difficult to maintain. However, making little improvements is manageable.

When becoming the best version of ourselves, we must surround ourselves with trusted cheerleaders who see us for who we are striving to be. They really see us, our gifts and talents, and hold us accountable to becoming our best selves.

Each time we make a minor change or tweak in our habits or choose to handle a situation better than the last time, we are becoming our best.

Being a life-long learner is essential for growth and refinement. I admire people with a teachable spirit. No matter the age or stage, those who are humble, willing to look within, and make changes or course corrections, are the people who are becoming the best version of themselves.

Over the years, when I’ve needed to refocus, reset, and get a handle on life, I have a “mini-retreat.” I sit in a park for a couple of hours, surrounded by nature and peace, with a cup of coffee, journaling and assessing these areas of my life: (What’s working & where to improve?)

Myself:

• Spiritually – Physically – Emotionally
• My marriage
• Kids

Getting it down on paper and clear in my mind sets me on track.

As we focus on becoming our best, an uplifting book comes to my mind by Bob Goff. In Everybody Always, Bob says, “Instead of telling people what they want, we need to tell them who they are. Works every time. We’ll become in our lives whoever the people we love the most say we are.”

He says, “God did this constantly in the bible. He told Moses he was a leader, and Moses became one. He told Noah he was a sailor, and he became one. He told Sarah she was a mother, and she became one.”

Knowing who God says we are becoming forms our identity. To remind yourself of your identity in Christ, see the blog, The Secret to Confident Hope.

We see what is in our focus. Maybe this is why Paul encourages us this way in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (NIV).

This reminds me why I keep a “Gratitude Journal.”

Focusing on gratitude encourages joy and perspective, not to mention how it can turn around a bad day.

Life is an adventure. It is an adventure meant to be lived, enjoyed, and shared. We were made for a purpose, to enjoy and use our strengths and gifts.

We are all a work in progress. Our best self is not a destination but a journey.

How does who you are, not just what you do, help you become your best?

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