D71: How to Hit Your Target

Want to know how to hit your target, whatever that target may be? I’ve got the answer.

It’s really more simple than we want to admit.

Here’s the secret…

And the secret is…

Step 1: Get ready.
Step 2: Take aim.
Step 3: Fire.

Ha! You knew that already didn’t you? Then why don’t you do it? (talking to myself here) If we know what to do, why do we refuse? Want some examples?

• Target = Improve photography. Yet, how many of us refuse to do the daily work of just reading one page in our camera manual a day. One page!
• Target = Lose weight. Yet, the diet industry continues to boom because we refuse to eat healthy, deny ourselves what we want, and get off the couch and walk 30 min. a day (again talking to me). You too?
• Target = Build business. Yet, we don’t want to knock on 30 doors to sell one bottle of soap. We don’t want to make the hard calls or turn off Facebook and email to get some real work done.

Bottom line = We want it all. We want our cake and to eat it too. We want the reward without the risk. To paraphrase a line from He’s Just Not That Into You, “You’re the rule, not the exception.”

Got that? I’m the rule. You’re the rule. We aren’t the exception. We’re not going to win the lottery. Most of us don’t have a great uncle leaving us millions in his will. In the real world everyone doesn’t get a trophy just for showing up. I know that’s where society is going, what they’re telling us. I know that’s the message today’s kids are getting, but it’s just not true.

If you want to be the exception, be exceptional. Not just exceptional with your natural raw talent and ability, but exceptional in your discipline, your standards, your work ethic, your customer service, your knowledge, your learning, your commitment… you get the idea. Do that and you will transform yourself into the exception.

It’s really up to you. The way to hit your target is to prepare yourself in every way you possibly can with daily practice and discipline. To take that preparation and aim clear toward the target you’d like to hit. And to ensure that when your time comes, you can fire directly to that target you’ve been preparing for. That’s what I think…and just so you know, I’m preaching to myself here wondering all the while if I’m getting through that thick skull of mine.

What say you? Are you ready to hit the target?

Today’s image is of a laser target from a toy gun. I held and pointed the gun at the wall while pulling the trigger to get the target to show up. With my camera in my right hand, I framed and took the shot. ISO 400, 1/60 at f/1.8 with 50 mm lens. Enhanced clarity and saturation of red circle in Adobe Lightroom.

Manual: Page 49—White Balance.

Images: The images of original art in The Art of Meaningful Living are powerful. What I love about this coffee-table book is that it pairs psychology and art as a guide for choosing your passions over your fears. It’s about accepting what you can’t control and focusing on what is in your power to change. It’s broken down into three main sections: Wisdom, Action, Resilience.

The writing is done by Christopher F. Brown and the art is by John Palmer. Both turned to creative pursuits to deal with death and loss. Creativity has such a powerful way of transforming our perspective and our life. Their book is not unlike tasra365 in it’s pairing of the creative along with the practical message. That’s why I’m giving away a FREE copy thanks to the publisher.

HERE’S HOW TO WIN…
First, go to Twitter and if you don’t already have an account there, set one up. It’s free. Then follow me @tasradawson by clicking on the Follow button under my profile. Then, copy and paste the following tweet…

Need inspiration? Win The Art of Meaningful Living from @tasradawson on #tasra365. Pls RT. Details here: http://bit.ly/t365D71

That’s it. Just follow me on Twitter, send out that Tweet, and you’re done! (If you prefer not to Tweet, you can leave a comment here for entry as well! A winner will be chosen randomly on 11/17/09.)