OVERCOMING DISTRACTION 4: FROM HIGHFLIER TO AVERAGE

As a secondary (high) school student, the session began with some amazing decisions. I would have new notes, a blue or black pen accompanied by a red one, and a ruler. The goal was to have a neat and complete note. Who was like me? 

It always started well. I would write the date in the top left corner. I would write every topic and underline it with two straight red lines. My notes were always ‘on point’.

By the third week, my red pen was missing. I still underline but with the blue pen. By the fifth week, the ruler is missing so I improvise with a pen. Just before the midterm, there are already missing diagrams in the biology note. 

Just before midterm, I may need to lie to the teacher at inspection time that I forgot my note at home even though my incomplete note is lying in my bag. Because I am a bit serious, I will get away with it. However, I would have to write all night to present a complete but not neat note the next day. 

That is how many high-flier students become average. Distracted people are high fliers who become average people. 

By extension, this is how great writers ended up just as mere readers with many abandoned scripts. This is how great teachers of God’s word ended up as mediocre voices in our generation. Once the seed of distraction is planted, diligence takes the back seat while packaging takes over. 

It is tougher for gifted people to overcome distraction because people can still applaud your performance but you know deep within yourself that you have not refined the gift. What they applauded was the raw version of your gold. What if it was your gold that you showcased? 

If you keep getting away with mediocre performances, you will likely consider yourself a king. Wake up! There is more to you than that lackluster performance. There is more to you than that average output. 

You can honestly start asking yourself now: “If I am not distracted, what height would I have attained by now?”

The test is always halfway. If you can overcome the halfway syndrome, you will do better. You are a good starter. You have great energy but can you bless us with a great finish also? 

‘I have tried my best’ can be the statement of mediocrity when there is more that can be done. 

We know great men by their finishing abilities. You must be a great finisher. Who starts the race leading the pack, loses steam midway, and then comes back to say, ‘I deserve a prize for being the best for a few seconds’. Men will laugh at you. 

Let me say to you what Paul said to us all: 

“Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago…”

2 Corinthians 8:10A NLT

What did you start a year ago, a month ago? 

“Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now…”

2 Corinthians 8:11 NLT

Will you finish what you started? 

temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa