The phrase “escape momentum” was used in reference to homeless veterans. There was a show on television where the director had a program that temporarily housed the veterans and fed them and motivated them. The program even assisted some people in starting over. The commentator asked what about the others that did not receive long-term help. The director said “we just hope this program gives them enough escape momentum.”

When I heard this statement it grabbed me and struck a nerve deep within my soul. There are so many challenges that can hamper a person’s rise out of bad situations, that you need specific directional propulsion to escape. There were some situations in my life that were a bit stifling. The momentum to escape was elusive and it seemed as if I was never going to escape. The old “Debbie Downer” Attitude of one step forward and two steps back.

To really manufacture a valid escape two steps forward and one step back is not enough. A series of positive steps effect lasting change. So as I pondered my life and its shortcomings I thought that there are some steps that can be engineered to produce consistent results.

1. Lighten your load
2. Have an achievable plan
3. Live your plan
4. Have relentless faith

Step 1. Lighten your load

First mentally lighten your load. Clear your mind from the baggage of your past. Address any challenges or faults that will restrain your forward progress. The process of clearing the mind is similar to clearing mines in a battlefield; take care so that the things that you extract do not explode. Delicately remove some people and situations and consistently extract all other negative aspects of how you operate. Consistency builds confidence and makes your goals seem attainable. The thoughts of failure, your former mistakes and character flaws can hamper your ascension to greatness. It is helpful to only remember the former things in regards to your original dreams and aspirations.

Step 2. Have an achievable plan

Achievable plans can be lofty
• To write and publish a book
• Educate all the orphans in your area
• To be a professional singer
• To be a CEO of a major company
• To loose 100 pounds
• Debt freedom and financially independent in 5 years

Achievable plans are not always small. Large achievable plans are exciting because they involve more than one person. The others that help you with your plan will benefit from your vision. Large plans are fine if they are realistic. If you are forty it is not realistic to be Ms. America. But they do have pageants that are age appropriate. Write these goals and prominently display them. It is a good idea to share with at least one confidante the details of your plans, this will hold you accountable. For a while your one friend that believes in you may be God. So none of us are alone as long as we have and plan and a loving forgiving God.

Step 3. Live your plan

The difference in the statements, work your plan and live your plan are subtle yet monumental. To work your escape plan you means you occasionally think about it when there is time between living your life and every day happenings. Any thing that we work on is easily set aside. Thoughts of work prompt a sense of duty or forced coercion and the results are incremental and possibly inconsequential. It is good to work your plan but when you live your plan, you wake up in the morning thinking of your plan. At breakfast you read about where you want to go. Your inner circle is almost tired of hearing about your plan. Your dreams consist primarily of ways to execute your plan and the benefits successful completion will afford you. If you have no money you find free activities that prop up your plan. Eventually things will arrive at your doorstep that will promote your plan. To live your plan is to escape before you have actually escaped.

Step 4. Have relentless faith

Relentless faith stands firm in the face of all circumstances. Your current position is in the soup line but you are talking about being an executive chef. While shopping at the plus size store you are planning to buy a bikini and look good next year. All of the people to whom you pitched a plan may respond negatively but none of this is a deterrent. To be relentless is to convert discouragement into encouragement. Your faith will ultimately change your face. Once you lock in your goal hold it until your dying day. You will obtain your personal escape momentum if you have relentless faith.