HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
It’s the first day of 2013 and the day of resolutions. As we flip the calendar page many of us will resolve to change our lives and our outlook. We will vow to eat better, exercise more, criticize less and overall have a positive attitude about life and those we love.
Looking ahead and resolving to make changes is a good thing. But it’s not enough. For better success we need to turn our resolutions into goals.
A resolution is a statement. A goal is a plan.
Goals are putting action to what we resolve to do. Instead of resolving to exercise more we can make a plan to walk 3 days a week at lunchtime. Or join a Zumba, Pilates, spinning or ______ class (fill in the blank with something you’ve always wanted to try). Be sure your goals are specific, manageable, achievable, realistic and time sensitive….or SMART! (we’ll talk more about this in future posts)
Are you overwhelmed already? Not sure where to start?
Don’t be in a hurry
but…
Do set a deadline.
January 1st doesn’t need to be the day we start our goals for the New Year. We can make it the day we start seeking God’s will and make the start date a few weeks later. Take time to allow the Lord to direct you in your planning.
1. PRAY – ask God
Jeremiah 29:11
Proverbs 16:3
Proverbs 19:21
2. START – Just put something down
3. PRAY – Lay the goals you’ve set out before God
4. LISTEN – Give God time to speak to you about your goals and whether He wants them to change.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1: 4-5
5. ADJUST – Make changes where needed
One of my downfalls each year is being overzealous in my goals. I want to set goals for so many areas of my life that I sometimes forget to ask the Lord if His desires are the same as mine. If not I need to humble myself before Him and make some changes.
Whatever your goals are for 2013 I want you to succeed!!
I’m no expert on goal planning, but am learning more and more each day. Each week of the new year I’m going to share with you a little of what I’ve learned and hope you’ll share as well. We can encourage each other as we set goals and as we work to achieve them.
May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4
What are your New Year’s traditions? Do you make resolutions and set goals? How can we help you with them this year?
I hope you’ll join me on a journey to see the Lord’s plans succeed in our lives in 2013!
blessings & peace to you…
Paula
Paula Davis 