View Points
Don’t Get Distracted!
Pay attention! Spring is here and everything is in bloom. We are only a few weeks away from the beginning of the end of the academic year 2016. There will be thousands and thousands of students graduating from high schools, cialis colleges and universities 
all over the country, but before the robed and exuberant graduates cross those grand and glorious stages nationwide, doctoral and thesis defenses must be made, exams and SOLs taken, and final projects and presentations completed in the race to the finish line. It is that time of year to open the windows and air things out, allowing the fresh pollen in the atmosphere to circulate and ignite the planting and growing season. And yes, we are excited about shaking out the cobwebs from the long winter gone by while we take in some deep breaths of fresh spring time air, but let’s not get distracted, the race is not finished yet.
This is a critical time, when distractions abound and our focus, resolve and persistence can be sidetracked. We can be lured into daydreaming, diverted to extracurricular activities or led down the proverbial “rabbit hole” that takes us away from the goals we have set for ourselves and our intended destination to finish the race we have before us. The last mile is always the longest mile, and in the final months and weeks our goals often seem unattainable. The finish line is oh so close and yet so far away, and that is where so many people lose heart and do not finally cross over that line to get the prize they have so earnestly pursued for so long. Distractions often cause you to take your “eye off the ball” and interrupt your process. Those momentary stumbles impede your progress and can discourage you in the final months, weeks and days. It is in this time that you must bear down and press toward the finish line with even more focus, commitment and tenacity than ever before because there are so many forces, seen and unseen, attempting to derail your success, to upend your advancement and ability to cross that stage in May or June and get that certificate, diploma or degree. This is an accomplishment, which will open doors and get you to the next level of success with options and hope for the future.
Do not get distracted! In the words of the old civil rights song, “Keep your Eyes on the Prize, Hold on!” You have invested too much time, energy and resources to give up now or to allow yourself to be derailed by issues or circumstances that are only temporary and not at all connected to the BIG Vision or the goals you have for yourself. There are people in your community and your family depending on you to cross that finish line. Not only hoping and praying for you to complete what you have started but also, to demonstrate to yourself and others that goals can be met and achievements are possible, even in times of great turmoil or challenge. Take a deep breath and press towards that finish line…we are waiting to shout, cheer and dance when you have finished your race and gotten that prize. You have so much promise before you and so many people behind you. Don’t get distracted!
Up Next Week: What’s happened to good manners?
