The Power of Clear Goals and Relentless Effort

I firmly believe that there are lessons in most situations if you’re willing to look for them. And sometimes, you can learn from the least expected people. The other day, I had one of those moments that really drove this point home. I pulled up to the gas station to fill up, and as I got out, I noticed this guy who seemed a bit rough around the edges. You could tell he was on something, but he was going from gas pump to gas pump, asking people for something. Naturally, I was keeping an eye on him to make sure everyone around, especially the women nearby, felt safe.

Observing Unwavering Commitment

This guy eventually made his way over to me and asked if I could buy him a specific type of cigarette. He didn’t want money; he knew exactly what he was after. After I told him "no," he moved on without missing a beat and kept going down the line. It wasn’t long before he was asking me the same thing again, as if he didn’t even remember talking to me a minute before. But he wasn’t deterred. It was almost like he had a script in his mind, and he wasn’t deviating from it.

What stood out to me wasn’t just his persistence, but his focus on what he wanted. For about five or six minutes, he kept asking people until someone finally agreed to get him those cigarettes. I couldn’t help but think about the sense of accomplishment he felt as he lit up. Now, I’m not condoning smoking, but this situation revealed some valuable lessons about goal-setting and commitment.

Be Specific with Your Goals

The first lesson I took from this guy’s mission was the importance of having a clear goal. He wasn’t walking around aimlessly asking for "help" or "something." He was laser-focused on getting a specific type of cigarette. It’s a simple example, but it’s a powerful reminder. In order to achieve your goals, you need to be specific about what you want.

I learned this the hard way during a Q&A after one of my talks. Someone asked me, "What’s your goal with speaking?" I casually replied, "To get on bigger stages and make more money." Without missing a beat, the person walked up to the front and handed me a dollar. The point? My goal wasn’t clear enough. I needed to define what "bigger" stages meant and have a specific financial target in mind.

Commit to Your Goal Relentlessly

Think about the guy at the gas station. He was not worried about what people thought or how many times he had to ask. His only focus was on his goal. So many of us have goals, but we’re too worried about looking foolish or being judged while pursuing them. We have to set our pride aside and commit fully to our mission. Remember, your journey isn’t about looking cool; it’s about reaching your goals.

Handle Rejection Without Losing Momentum

The most impressive thing about this guy was how he handled rejection. He didn’t let a single "no" slow him down. He just kept moving forward. Too many people give up after the first "no" they hear. But rejection isn’t a dead end—it’s simply a detour. When you face rejection, think of it as a temporary "not yet." Keep pushing forward.

Revisit Past Rejections

One of the keys to success is revisiting past "no’s." Sometimes, it’s not about a closed door, but a door that wasn’t ready to be opened at that moment. Circumstances change, budgets change, people change. Just like the guy at the gas station circled back to people he’d already asked, we need to follow up with opportunities that didn’t pan out initially. You might find that those situations have shifted in your favor.

Celebrate Your Wins

One of my flaws is that I don’t take the time to celebrate wins. I’m constantly focused on the next big thing. But watching this guy finally get what he was after and seeing the satisfaction on his face made me realize something: Sometimes we need to slow down and appreciate the small victories. Progress deserves recognition, and taking a moment to acknowledge it refuels your motivation for the road ahead.

If you want to take your team, event, or conference to the next level, book me to speak at baylorbarbee.com/pages/book-baylor. For more mindset motivation, check out my 10-minute-a-day podcast, Shark Theory, at baylorbarbee.com/pages/podcast. Mindset Matters: Let's make yours unstoppable.