Too many people never reach their goal which they set for themselves in their workplace. They entered their workplace with a clear sense of mission and a high determination "to make a difference." Along the way there is a trembling, or a sorrow, or even a sense of failure that the highest and best of ideals are not and may not be reached.

Over the years, talking with hundreds of people who have experienced this trauma, I have heard them exclaim, "How did this happen? How and why did I miss it?" There are many answers, but the one factor that I notice more than any other is that they became distracted along the way. Not necessarily by "big" things, but the distractions were fatal to accomplishing their goal.

How does this happen? How is one "distracted" in the workplace?

1. Their main goal was never firmly established. They did not have enough passion.
2. The opinions and suggestions and urgings of others attracted them away from their own goal.
3. The "grass" seemed greener in another project or direction.
4. They did not establish a standard (plumbline) to recognize distractions.
5. They did not realize that "good things" often are the enemy of the best.
6. They did not weigh carefully the counsel they were receiving (Psalm 1).
7. They did not affirm (daily) their goal.

Sometimes, successes along the way can distract and get us stuck there. Today:

1. Restate your original goal, given by God to you for your workplace.
2. Determine if you are still "on track" or have moved away.
3. Ask God for clear discernment on your life in your workplace.
4. Seek counsel from proven Godly men or women whom God has placed near you.

Jesus warned his disciples, "…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything else will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

The apostle Paul said about his life as he came to the end of his journey, "…I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13- 14).

King David was confronted by many distractions in his workplace, and he stated the secret to his life in Psalm 1:1-3:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night!
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

Guard your heart against fatal distractions that will draw you away from the one thing God would do through your life in the workplace. Take some immediate and careful steps to do this – now!

Blackaby serves as president of Henry Blackaby Ministries, and is the author of the enormously successful Bible study series, "Experiencing God," published by LifeWay.  Content distributed by WorkLife.org > used for non-profit teaching purposes only.