It’s easy to say, but harder to put into action.
We hear it all the time: “Just stay focused on your goal.”
But staying true to your original vision requires more than focus—it demands clarity, resilience, and the courage to resist distractions.
Why Staying Focused Is Harder Than It Sounds
Distractions are everywhere: internal, external, personal, professional, family-related. Some are unavoidable. Others are by choice. Over time, I’ve come to understand that many are intentional.
Distractions serve a purpose.
Sometimes they offer a much-needed break when we’ve become too engrossed in something and lost sight of the bigger picture. In those moments, we need to look away from what’s grabbed our attention—and re-focus.
I’m sure many of you have experienced searching for information online, only to get sucked into a rabbit hole. The links seem related to your original search, but they pull you farther and farther away. At some point, you need a distraction to break the cycle and return to your original task.
But there’s another kind of distraction—the kind that tests our resolve and fortitude.
It’s the one that separates passion from passing fancy.
Those who are truly passionate about their pursuit won’t be swayed, even by necessary distractions. Their choices may be difficult and cause personal pain or loss, but they refuse to abandon their path.
Others, less committed, allow themselves to be led away by easier, more satisfying endeavors. They look back on the successes of others and ask, “Why couldn’t that have been me?”
My Personal Journey
Three and a half years ago, I made the decision to finally write one of the stories I’d been talking about for years.
I chipped away at every excuse—starting with the biggest: not enough time.
I retired from work, and that excuse vanished.
Then came the needs of others. I didn’t have time to devote to writing.
So, I learned to say “no” and manage my time better—another excuse gone.
Working with a coach who encouraged me to join a writing community led me to immerse myself in all things writing. That included write-ins, critique groups, webinars, books, newsletters—you name it.
There were many distractions along the way, including the loss of my youngest son—the most devastating thing I could imagine.
Still, I kept writing.
Three years later, I finished my book. Universal Justice was born.
Now I have a new goal: to see this novel published.
Although it’s part of the original vision, it feels like starting over.
It requires a different set of skills.
Writing is often solitary, but publishing is not.
I’ve had to re-focus and resist distractions that pull me away from this goal.
I began writing a new novel, and it started to take over my attention.
Universal Justice slipped to the back burner.
But Universal Justice was the original goal—and I cannot lose sight of that.
Returning to the Vision
Four years ago, I opened a fortune cookie and was blown away.
It said: “Be true to your original vision.”
I typed it out in large print and posted it on the bulletin board above my desk.
It helped me stay focused.
Lately, I’ve been busy maintaining a website, creating content, participating in writers’ groups, beta reading, writing my new novel…the list goes on.
Taking a fresh look at my fortune cookie mantra I realized: I’ve lost focus on my original vision.
I’m not a young person.
I have more years behind me than ahead.
I would like to have at least one novel published before I leave this world.
To do that, I must stay focused.
And above all—I must be true to my original vision.