Keep your eye on the target
Early in my teaching career, I worked with young children as their physical education teacher. The skill of throwing challenged my students. The ball might go anywhere, except where it should, as they let it go in an attempt to throw. Often, I’d put a target on the concrete wall, have them point at the target with their non-throwing arm, and say “Keep your eye on the target as you throw.”
Keep your eye on the target
Focusing on the target helped my students concentrate on their goal–to hit (or at least be close to) the target.
Years ago, when I was a teenager, my brother had a small motorcycle (a dirt bike, I think). I could ride a bicycle or a horse, drive a car, walk a log across the creek, and do simple routines on a balance beam. My balance was good, but when I tried to ride his motorbike, I always landed in the ditch. Most likely, I worried about the ditch, looked at it, and drove right into it. I didn’t keep my eye on the target (the road).
We all have targets we’re trying to hit–goals we hope to achieve.
To reach our goals, we must keep our focus on what we’re trying to achieve. We have a plan and organize our actions to achieve our goal. Giving up isn’t an option.
We keep our eyes on the target.
In October, I’m publishing a book. I won’t go into detail about the pitfalls and stress of getting a book ready for release. It’s probably one of those things you have to live through to understand the pain. That’s a story for another day.
But just like the process of planning for any project or goal, releasing a book has many steps to complete along the journey. This past week, I reached a major milestone–asking folks to join my launch team.
A launch team supports the author in multiple ways as release date approaches. The team shares social media posts on various sites to remind readers of the upcoming release; reads the book in preparation for leaving online reviews at Amazon, Goodreads and other sites; and provides encouragement when the author feels overwhelmed.
Authors have much anxiety when it’s time to “birth” their book.
- Is my launch team big enough?
- Will readers like my book?
- Will anyone purchase the book?
- How successful will the launch be? Can we achieve those high numbers needed in the first week of sales?
- Can we hit that target of fifty-plus reviews on Amazon?
This week I worried about some of these “targets”? Then I asked myself…
What is my target? What’s the goal of this book?
This reflection brought me back into focus. When I wrote Honoring God with My Body: Journey to Wellness and a Healthy Lifestyle my goal was to create a Bible study/devotional with practical and achievable strategies to encourage readers and participants to seek and achieve a healthy lifestyle on their journey to wellness. Individuals who are healthier and happier have a better quality of life and are better able to serve their Lord.
As I worried over the recruitment of a launch team and the challenge of the upcoming release, I realized my target hasn’t changed. Getting the book out to serve as a resource to help others is still my goal–not how many books I sell.
When Jesus walked on water to reach the boat in which His disciples were riding, he called out to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you, Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)
We know what happened next–Peter got out of the boat and walked toward Jesus. But the wind distracted him and fear made him falter. He cried out for help as he began to sink.
Peter took his eyes off his target
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt.?” (Matthew 14:31)
I’m reminded to have faith, not doubt. And to keep my eyes on the target–Jesus–and my service to Him, by seeking to help His children honor God by caring for their bodies.
When you falter and lose sight of your target or goal, what helps you regain focus on the One who is most important?
Honoring God with My Body: Journey to Wellness and a Healthy Lifestyle releases October 4 and is available for preorder. If you are interested in learning more, please click here.
Looking most forward to receiving my pre-ordered copies and will most certainly provide a review upon reading it. Great points about how what we focus on is where we end up. As a competitive shooter many years ago, one of the greatest skills I learned was to “follow my shot” by not removing my eyes from the target. As the weapon settled, I could see almost exactly where the round landed. That little change in my shooting style helped me to adapt my shots and improving my DOPE (Data On Previous Engagements). By logging conditions, ballistics, etc. you can track results, which can then be used to improve your accuracy on the next target. Great lessons here Ms. Katherine. We’ll be praying you keep your target in sight. You’ve got them bracketed now my friend. Fire for effect! 🙂
My father was an army veteran and very good at hitting what he aimed at when shooting. I’m glad you shared about continuing to look at the target, even after you fire the shot. That’s good advice for us to implement no matter the goal we are pursuing. That strategy will help us keep our focus on what is important. I’m so grateful for your ongoing encouragement and support, my friend, most especially for your continued prayers.
Thank you for the reminder I need every day: “Keep my eyes on the target–Jesus–and my service to Him.”
As believers, we can support each other with loving reminders to keep our eyes on the target, our relationship with our Savior. Loving one another means we help each other focus on our Lord throughout our journey with Him. Wishing you joy and blessings, Diana.
What an excellent topic. “Focus” is my word for 2022: Faithfully observe what Christ tells me so I can ultimately satisfy Him. I have often lost my sight of my target– focus –many times and you can guess the outcome-disappointment, distraction, sometimes a mess that takes time to clean up. Your post has application for any aspect of life, Katherine, Thank you for the reminder to “keep our eyes fixed”
“Focus” is an excellent, but challenging selection for your word of the year. In fact, I think you could write an entire book or devotion to help us know how to keep our focus on Jesus. Can you add that to your list of future projects? Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Marilyn.
Katherine, you found a great analogy to drive home a point we all need to hear. I easily get distracted, so I appreciate the encouragement. I look forward to seeing God present your “baby” (really it’s His, right?) to the world.
I can be easily distracted, too, Annie so these actions to stay on target are for me as well. I hope they work for you. Yes! This book baby is for God. My prayer is to honor Him and encourage His children to be healthier and happy to better serve Him. Thank you for your support.
Thank you, Katherine for your examples of keeping our eyes on the target. I sometimes forget the goal and focus on what I haven’t yet accomplished. Praise songs and verses about God’s faithfulness steer me back on course. I believe your book will direct my health efforts toward more health-conscious goals.
I do the same, Jeannie, I get distracted by my to-do list and feel the pressure to “get it all done!” I love your strategy–praise songs and scripture. Thank you for sharing an action that is sure to get us back on the pathway with Jesus, rather than focusing on what needs to be done. As He reminded Martha, Mary focused on Him and that was what is important. I pray Honoring God with My Body can encourage and inspire you to choose healthier lifestyle behaviors.
Jesus – a very good target to keep our eyes on. How true this is in all aspects of life but especially when we hit those exciting milestones. Congratulations on the upcoming release of your book; I’m looking forward to it, and I’ll pray that the path smooths out.
Thanks so much for your encouragement and prayers, Candyce. I’m grateful for your support. Wishing you blessings on your journey.
I like the target analogy. If I want to be more like Jesus, I must keep Him as my focus. Congratulations on the book! What an exciting journey!
Sometimes my focus slips away and I’m thankful for our Savior’s patience as I struggle back onto the path, striving for the target (Jesus). Thank you for your encouragement as I continue on this exciting (sometimes terrifying) journey. I hope you have a week filled with joy and blessings.
You hit the target when you chose to write the book for the glory of God. I was privileged to endorse it!! It’s an excellent resource. I do know the angst of book launch teams though. It can be a rough process of engaging the members. Be at peace. The Lord will surely launch your book into the hands of those who need its message.
I know you’ve been through this harrowing journey of book launching several times, Mary. I’m grateful for your wisdom and encouragement. “Be at peace.” That’s what our Lord tells me, too. Thank you for reinforcing His message.
You’ve accomplished a great deal already. Writing a book is hard work! I’m on that journey now, and must continually remind myself of the target. If I don’t, I get overwhelmed and discouraged.
This is wonderful encouragement that can be applied to so many things in life even our Christian walk. It is so easy to get our eyes on things other than Jesus. When that happens, we become overwhelmed and discouraged.
Looking forward to reading the book!
My prayers are with you, Terri, as you work to finish your book. I know what you mean by overwhelming! It happens quite often in the writing, publishing, and marketing aspect. But you have it right–just keep going–with our eyes on Jesus and a heart given to Him. Thank you for blessing me with your kindness and encouragement.
Congratulations on your book! May it bless many. Thanks, Katherine. God bless!
I pray that Honoring God with My Body will be a blessing, that the book will encourage God’s children to seek healthier lifestyle choices so they may better serve Him. Thank you for sending encouragement my way, Nancy. May God bless you.
Great analogy for our faith, to keep our eyes on the target of God.
Congratulations on the new book. May the Lord bless many people through it.
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Yvonne. I pray Honoring God with My Body will bless others, encouraging healthier lifestyle choices and they will be encouraged to better serve our Lord. Thank you for your prayers.
I really appreciate your wisdom, Katherine, about keeping your eye on the target of why you wrote your book! It’s so easy to get sidetracked into worries about a book launch. I pray that yours will go well, and you will have peace through the process!
I’ve worried about getting sidetracked and losing my focus on Jesus during this process. I’m so grateful for you prayers, encouragement, and support, Kathy. May God continue to bless you.
Congratulations, Katherine, on bringing a book all the way through the process to publication! And kudos to you for directing your focus to honor God by ministering health to his body of believers. I pray his blessing upon you as you continue on this journey!
I’m so grateful you stopped by my blog, Nancy. Thank you for encouraging me on this journey and most especially, for your prayers. May God bless you in your service to Him.
I believe creative minds have a harder time staying focused. We keep seeing the next project and get excited. I struggle and have to work hard to keep my focus. When it comes to knitting and sewing my husband calls me the queen of unfinished projects 🤨. This post is such a great reminder to stay focused and finish what God had me start.
I feel your pain (of unfinished projects), Jen. I think your theory is correct about creative minds–not that I’m that creative, but a loved one was and the list of unfinished projects is long. I never known anyone more creative than he. I’m not very talented with crafts such as knitting but I’ve heard it’s a great stress reliever. Of course, if you’re worried about unfinished projects, that doesn’t help your stress levels. Keep trying, but don’t stress!