Ask those who have achieved greatness in any field for the secrets of their success, and somewhere near the top of most lists will be a visualization of their goal. Throughout years of rigorous training, the Olympic champion pictured himself on the podium, receiving his gold medal. The prima ballerina saw herself doing grand jetés on the world's finest stages. The Nobel-winning scientist imagined his eureka moment. The star saleswoman mentally packed her bags 365 times for that prize spa vacation. It took hard work to be sure, but they got where they did in part by picturing themselves already there. When it finally happened, many will tell you, it was exactly as they had seen it in their mind's eye.

Read the Bible's "Faith Hall of Fame" chapter, Hebrews 11, and you'll see that this visualization technique is nothing new. It says of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others who did extraordinary things, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them."1 Like the Olympian, the ballerina, the Nobel laureate, and the saleswoman, they each focused on the prize, but with one important difference. The things for which these Bible greats are most remembered were merely steppingstones to the ultimate prize they strove for—God's eternal reward for a life that was pleasing to Him.

So if you want to succeed in this coming year and beyond, "keep your eye on the prize"—whatever it is that you want to get out of life. And for the ultimate in success, find out what God wants you to contribute in this life. Only He knows that, but He will tell you if you ask. Set your sights on that, and God will not only give you the extra umph you need, He will heap on blessings all along the way.2 And when this life is over, you'll hear Him say, "Well done!"3 What could be better than that?

Keith Phillips

For Activated