The best way to approach any big goal is to break it down into small chunks. So, if I want to learn to speak another language or play an instrument, I need to practice a little bit each day.  If I want to lose 20 pounds, I have to incorporate exercise into my daily routine.  Accomplishing anything significant requires consistent, daily effort.  That is why the key to success in any endeavor is to focus on the next 24 hours.  Each morning, ask yourself, “What one thing can I do today that will get me closer to accomplishing my goal?”

Most of us tend to pressure ourselves unrealistically. We beat ourselves up if we don’t accomplish our goals quickly.  But life doesn’t work that way.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your big goals won’t be accomplished overnight either.  So, when we have big goals – to get out of debt, to learn to play the cello, to start a non-profit to help children – we shouldn’t be frustrated or give up if our dreams don’t come to pass on our timetables.  Instead, every day we need to focus on doing the one thing that we can to move toward that goal.

If you do a little bit each day, you can’t help but move forward. Let’s say I want to write a book.  If I only write half a page every day, in two years I will have a 365-page manuscript.  Or perhaps I want to lose weight.  Even a 20-minute daily walk will help boost my metabolism and allow me to shed some pounds.

My goal is to inspire as many people as possible to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. So, I write every day.  My husband knows this about me, and he makes sure that even when we are on vacation, I have time to write.  By simply committing to doing some writing each day, I am able to accomplish much more than I otherwise would.

Your next 24 hours are more important than you think. In the next 24 hours, you can move one step further toward your goal.  In the next 24 hours, you can start a momentum that will bring your dreams to pass sooner than you think.

The point is this: Dream big dreams. Set goals for yourself that currently seem impossible.  And then in the next 24 hours, do one thing to get a little closer to making that dream come to pass.  That is all you have to do.  Then do that again the next day.  And the next.  You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish by focusing on what you can do in the next 24 hours.