Why is everyone so upset with success, now? I will never understand this evil desire in people to see others fall. But what I’ve noticed is that those who are always trolling social media and other online platforms to tear others down have a lot more of something that celebrities, rich, and successful people don’t seem to have. That something is time. People who love watching, scoffing at, and comparing themselves to other people are people who have a lot of time. While it’s good to have time, having so much spare time is indicative of the life of someone who is not pressing towards their mark.
In the last blog post, I explained the importance of pressing towards your own mark. Having a mark that you are pressing towards is one of the most effective methods of staying happy, fulfilled, and grounded. If you use all of your time nursing jealousy and ill will towards others, you won’t have the time and energy you need to work and press. Now that we know why it’s imperative that we have our own mark and goals to press towards, let’s take a look at what it means to press.
Pressing means to steadily apply weight or force when you’re acting upon something. It means you do your work (whatever God has inspired you to do) with steady force. It means that you cannot be passive any longer; taking time for granted. As a matter of fact, people who are steadily pressing don’t usually have much idle time. And it is quite arrogant of us to assume that we have a lot of opportunities waiting on us. God will surely provide us with opportunities. However, opportunities do not usually wait around for us to get ready to cash in on them. Opportunities move and flow with the times which means we have to be already prepared to flow along with them. When God gives you the instructions on what to do, be ready to start flowing with a steady force. Press!!
Pressing means to move by force in a certain direction and into a certain position. Stop looking around at others and looking back at what others have done. If you press in a forward direction as the scripture suggests, you won’t always be so tempted to start looking around or back. Rarely will you feel resentment towards people around you or from your past if you press forward with that same steady force. Pressing will keep you moving to a position that will demand for a more mature and satisfied mind. And once you get to that destined place or position, you will be more pleased with the progress and with yourself. This leaves you with no room to resent others for being where they are.
Pressing means you alter in shape or size. It’s time to make the adjustments and mold yourself into being what you need to be in order to truly withstand the position you’re called to. If you don’t go through the process of actually attaining the character, skills, and habits you need to stay on top, there’s no point in trying to get to the position. If you don’t become the person for that position, you won’t be successful in the position. While you’re pressing forward and taking actions with force, shape yourself by developing and becoming what you need to be both mentally and physically.
Pressing means subjecting to pressure. Sometimes we should put a little pressure on ourselves. Give yourself some deadlines. This is not the time for chillin’. This is not the time for taking breaks and casually moving alone. Apply some healthy pressure to yourself. Set the goals and the timeline and get it done.
Pressing means to make smooth. Make time to iron out the kinks and the things that wrinkle your finished product. While you are developing, eliminate the stuff that mess you up. If your attitude is bad, fix it. If you are easily distracted, practice disciplining your mind. There is a such thing as a good distraction every now and again that helps us keep our sanity. But something that is always occupying your mind and hindering your productivity should be noted as a wrinkle that should be pressed.
Pressing means extracting. Not only do you need to smooth things out sometimes, but you should also take things out. There are some things that can use a light press; meaning it’s not entirely detrimental. These are things in your life that need the iron so that they won’t mess everything up. It’s like having the perfect outfit. It’s the right color and looks gorgeous on you, but there’s a wrinkle that is throwing off the entire look. The key is to know what needs to be smoothed out or what must be extracted. A strong personality may need to be ironed. However, a negative attitude should be extracted.
There are so many other levels to “pressing”, but I think you have gotten the gist. What so many people should know is that we eliminate resentment, jealousy, and envy when we take the urgent action of moving towards the mark. Pressing towards the right thing brings fulfillment that allows you to enjoy the prize. But you will never see the prize if you don’t press for it.
Comments