283. Her Early Decision to "Go For It!" Launched a Life of Perseverance

Jo knew she wanted to have a positive impact on people’s lives, and her college degree in human services helped her land a job helping people determine their eligibility for disability benefits. “It was a gratifying position, but very frustrating, too, because you saw people, unfortunately, at their worst. I really had to learn patience, empathy—more empathy than what I already had—and it was a fantastic job for me.” A benefit of the job was the job board, where openings from all over the United States were posted. Jo kept an eye on that board.

As a single mom in her early 20s, Jo made a decision that set the tone and the direction of her life. She listened to friends who told her, “Go for it!” She decided to move away from South Dakota when her son was two and a half. A lot of people thought she was crazy, but other people said, “Go for it! You’re young. Your son’s not even in school yet. Just do it. Have fun, enjoy it. Go see the United States!” Jo said, “And so I did!” Years later, with an MBA behind her and a track record as an entrepreneur, she published her first book: Go For It! A Woman’s Guide to Perseverance.

“As the old adage says, write down what you want in your life. Write down where you want to be in six months to a year. Write down how you’re going to get there. If I don’t do that, I don’t get to where I want to be as fast as I want to go. But once I write it down, my mind is focused on it. I read it every day and make daily steps I have to do to get there.”

1. Keep your eyes and ears open to new people and experiences.

2. When you’re clear on your goals, write them down and review them often.

3. Wake up every day committed to living and learning.

4. Never lose your positive attitude.

5. Don’t be afraid to Go For It!

Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, by Mark Batterson