Use what you have to get what you want. Frequently, when we have a goal to accomplish or a problem to solve. Instead of looking at what we have, and the resources at our disposal, our attention is gripped by what we don't have. This leads only to pain and frustration.

Habits of the mind or emotions that promote your focusing your attention on resources you don't have or can't control are spurred by a fear of success. The habits of perfectionism, for example, delays success. A perfectionist has an ideal internal (or future) standard which serves as a mental reference he uses to evaluate actions and results. If the perfectionist is a member of a group, the output or solution devised may be acceptable to all the members except himself. It is a deadly obsession.

As a general rule, all habits that postpone success or that tends to promote inaction including doubt and procrastination are traceable to a fear of success; and they predispose people to put attention on what they don't have.

"Procrastination is the fear of success," writes Denis Waitley. "People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if the move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the 'someday I'll' philosophy."

Procrastination is caused mainly by attachment to our comfort zone (our personal area of thoughts and actions within which we feel comfortable), or attachment to discomfort (or pains) associated with change. Why do many of us focus attention to what we don't have? It may be in relation to your dream, your current goal or project. Each time you start focusing attention on what you don't have, your goal will start receding from you. When you put attention on resources you don't have or can't control, you are postponing success.

When you look at it closely, you'll see that this individual is making a face-saving measure. He doesn't want to accept responsibility for his situation. He might be saying: "I could have been very successful in business but I don't have money." The question is, does he have the necessary skills and experience in his area of interest? If the answer is yes, why does he not seek to partner with those who have the resources that he doesn't have?

Some practical cases will help us illustrate this principle. A Norwegian, Knut came to America and tried his hand at every project his mind could conceive. He met unrealized expectations and disappointment in each case. One night, after several years in the school of hard knocks, he sat back in his bed thinking of it. An idea occurred to him: to put his experience in writing. The book became an instant success, winning an international award.

A businessman needed to raise a large amount of money quickly. His credit at the bank was bad. He sat down and tried to figure how he could raise the money. He was unable to get any ideas. He however refused to give up. He believed that somehow an opportunity will open up for him to raise the needed money.

This man lived in his own property and had bought two adjacent plots several years ago. One day he saw a developer putting up a structure behind him. He asked the developer how much the building would sell when he completed it. The developer mentioned a high figure that set the businessman thinking. The businessman called a valuer who told him that land in that neighbourhood had appreciated such that each of his vacant plots would fetch the amount of money he was looking for. This man quickly put up one of the plots for sale and thereby raised the money he needed.

You can get what you want. You can achieve your goal. All you need is to keep an eye on where you are going, and start with what you have. What you have is enough for your miracle.