Stay Focused ( 4 )...‘Forgetting the past.’ Philippians 3:13 NLT 'Forgetting the past.' Philippians 3:13 NLT

Notice: (1) Focused people don't live in the past. Too many of us yearn for the past and get stuck in it. Instead we should learn from the past and let go of it. Elbert Hubbard wrote, 'A retentive memory may be a good thing, but the ability to forget is a token of greatness. Successful people forget. They're running a race. They can't afford to look behind. Their eye is on the finish line. They're too big to let little things disturb them. If anyone does them wrong, they consider the source and keep cool. It's only the small people who cherish revenge. Be a good forgetter… success demands it.' (2) Focused people don't think about the difficulties, but the rewards. If you dwell on the difficulties too long you'll start to develop self-pity instead of self-discipline. As a result you'll accomplish less and less. By focusing on results you'll stay encouraged. Make Christ your example. 'He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards' (Hebrews 12:2 TLB). (3) Focused people choose their friends carefully. Here are five types of people you'll encounter: (a) Refreshers; who strengthen your faith and energise you. (b) Refiners; who sharpen you and clarify your vision. (c) Reflectors; who mirror your energy, neither adding to nor subtracting from it. (d) Reducers; who try to diminish your goals and efforts to their comfort level. (e) Rejecters; who don't understand you or what God's called you to do. So, remain focused and you'll stay grounded; the praise of others is less likely to go to your head, and the negative impact of your critics will be minimised.