July 4, 1952 Florence Chadwick, who had previously swum the English Channel, now attempted the twenty-one-mile swim from the southern California mainland to Catalina Island. The water was a freezing 48 degrees. The fog was thick and visibility almost nil.
Finally, only half a mile from her destination, she became discouraged and quit. The next day reporters clamored around her asking why she had quit – had it been the cold water or the distance. It proved to be neither. She responded, “I was licked by the fog.” She then recalled a similar experience while swimming the English Channel. Evidently the fog was likewise engulfing. She was exhausted. As she was about to reach out for her father’s hand in the nearby fishing kayak, he pointed to the shore. She raised her head out of the water just long enough to see the land ahead.
With that new vision, she pressed on and became the first woman to conquer the English Channel.
This story (shared by Sterling W. Sill) teaches a magnificent principle: with increased vision can come increased motivation.
Brian Tracy said, “A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power.”
So what’s the lesson?
Know where you’re going and what you have to do get there. Have a clear vision. Cut the garbage that distracts from what you’re really chasing. Use your small successes to fuel and propel you to greater success.