The desire for comfort has created much of life as we know it. Air conditioners were invented to keep us cool during hot seasons. Roofs were installed to shelter us from rain, snow and insects. Electricity is used for many purposes including the provision of light in the midst of darkness. Commercials for new automobiles tout the latest amenities that you supposedly cannot live without. Although the desire for comfort may be one of life's priorities, comfort can also be a hindrance to achieving your goals.

T. Harv Eker, president of Peak Potentials Training went from zero to a millionaire in only two and a half years. He says: "the only time you are actually growing is when you are uncomfortable." Being comfortable may give you warm fuzzy feelings. Yet, these feelings do not usually cause you to grow. Successful people have learned how to live by becoming comfortable in the uncomfortable zone. The desire for comfort causes you to shrink back from your fears. The need for comfort keeps you from developing new relationships. You can see from these statements that comfort can be your enemy.

The next time you are uncomfortable, congratulate yourself. Say to yourself, I must really be growing. Now embrace those uncomfortable feelings. You have just entered your new season of being comfortable in being uncomfortable.

Find a way to win! Do not allow circumstances, emotions or the opinion of others to cause you to accept defeat. Figure out what you must do to win in your situation. The spirit of victory is inside you. Stay alert to the Holy Spirit who will lead you to your triumph. Great military figures always remain determined to win the war they are involved in.

One of the most controversial and yet colorful figures in military history was George Patton. His ruthless sweep across France during the summer of 1944 was contrary to military wisdom. Yet, his strategy culminated in spectacular success! One of Patton's main keys to victory was the undeniable spirit of victory that he instilled in his soldiers.

He is noted for saying the following: "Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow, and of the man who leads that gains the victory."

"Criticism is the death gargle of a nonachiever." The person who wrote this quote recognized that critical people are those who have failed to reach their own goals. They want to destroy your attempts to achieve. Rather than working on their own challenges, they spend time pointing out your alleged flaws. Your real challenge should be to focus on where you are going. Refuse to allow critical people to stop you in the pursuit of your goals.

Everything you have done is not wrong. Recognize that you have done some things right. Sir Winston Churchill, the early 1900s British politician, left us with many powerful words that can encourage us while we are moving forward. Churchill recognized that there are evil motives in some people. He was quick to vocalize his concerns about the menace of Adolf Hitler's Germany. Churchill repeated his warnings and as a result was appointed as prime minister in 1939. He was not merely being critical but presented facts. There is a time for releasing facts and information.

Churchill said, "the greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes." Don't allow critics to put you in bondage. Everything you have done is not wrong. Discover the good things you are doing and keep moving forward. Let the critics be the nonachievers. You be the achiever you were meant to be!

The quality of preparation determines the quality of your future assignment! Successful people have normally spent years preparing for their greatest accomplishments. They were willing to invest time, finances and lots of hard work into their dreams. Great athletes didn't give up when they were tired or injured. Physicians spent lots of long, sleepless nights studying and walking the corridors of hospitals. Many successful businessmen invested and then lost the investments. Yet, these people got up and tried again.

Times of stress, tiredness and loss are merely lessons that every successful person must walk through. Learning to see the preparation process in each difficult moment helps you better understand your assignment. You are not where you will be in the future. You are in your time of preparation.

Strive for quality rather than a quick fix. Keep getting up when you feel you have fallen down and are injured. Keep walking forward; don't retreat. Keep believing for restoration of any loss in your life. Before you know it, you will have moved into your future assignment. You were willing to prepare, and now you'll be known for the quality of your assignment!

To lead yourself, use your head. To lead others, use your heart. This quote highlights the importance of heart connections. Some leaders try to lead by revealing statistics, arguing over why they need help or insisting that everyone jump on board with their ideas. Although these elements are important, they aren't going to garner the cooperation needed to successfully implement your vision. There must first be a connection to your heart before people extend their helping hands to you.

Mother Teresa is revered for her lifelong dedication to the poor, especially the destitute masses of India. After studying nursing, she moved to the slums of Calcutta to work with the poor. Mother Teresa was summoned to Rome in 1968 to establish a home for the needy, and three years later she was awarded the first Pope John XXIII Peace Prize. By the late 1970's the group she founded, the Missionaries of Charity, numbered more than 1,000 nuns who operated 60 centers in Calcutta and hundreds of centers worldwide. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Her heart of compassion and devotion to the destitute caused leaders to trumpet Mother Teresa's cause. She was able to amass a large amount of finances needed to fulfill her dream.

What is your vision? Who needs to connect with you for you to be able to see the fulfillment of your dream? There will be a time to use the information found in your head. You will be able to speak about your plans. Until then, allow others to connect with your heart. Lead with your heart and let your heart do the talking!

Overcomers have a 'finishing' anointing. They don't merely start things. They keep on moving forward until they complete the task. Many people love to start new things. They like to be creative. They enjoy thinking of new projects and dreaming about new adventures. Often, these people actually start some of the new things they are planning for the future. The problem is that they seldom finish what they start.

Helen Keller was an overcomer who finished her assignments against major obstacles. She was born with severe illness that deprived her of sight, hearing and the ability to speak. Her courage, faith and optimism in the face of overwhelming disabilities propelled her forward. She never retreated. She never stopped. She persevered until she completed what was needed to succeed. As a result, Helen Keller graduated cum laude from Radcliff College, became the author of several articles, books and biographies, served on several boards and lectured in more than 25 countries.

You have the same potential in you that was in Helen Keller. Do what she did. Keep moving forward against all obstacles. Allow your courage and faith to rise to a new level. It is only a matter of time until you finish your goal. Wow! You are an overcomer with a finishing anointing!