How are your New Year's resolutions going? Made in complete sincerity, many go by the wayside soon after the turn of the year. Why? And more importantly, how you can keep your new years goals!
Make Attainable Goals
We've already discussed setting attainable goals. In short, make sure your expectations are realistic when measured against your limitations. Remember to balance your goals against the other goal areas of your life. Assign them no more or less of your attention than you should.
An attainable goal lies within your power to accomplish and does not hinge on anyone else's permission.
An attainable goal is measurable in terms of waymarks and time.
An attainable goal breaks down, when necessary, into achievable steps.
Refer to Your Goals
The adage: out of sight, out of mind rings especially true for goals, which require active participation to bring about change. Some enjoy change, but for others change is harder to accept. After all, change is about losses and gains, with the losses usually coming first. No wonder human nature often prompts us to hesitate where change is concerned. Count the cost when you establish your goals, and then focus on the gains to come. That will help you past the losses. Perhaps you will have less personal time, for instance, but you will finally get other goals finished.
Whatever method you use to keep track, keep yourself on course by referring to them on a regular basis and drawing your daily activities from your goals.
Set Aside Times for Reflection
I make an annual date with myself to reflect upon, monitor, and reevaluate my goals. You can't set your goals on autopilot, nor can you fence yourself into a rigid structure with no flexibility. It's not possible to know, in advance, all the twists and turns of life or how they will impact your goals. You will change as you grow and your desires may evolve in a different direction than you thought they would. That fact can bring joy, if approached with a positive mindset. Ongoing change breathes new life into your writing. Allowing for the shifts of life will make you less frustrated when they happen.
Pray for Direction
Stable goals rest their feet upon the Rock. Seeking God's direction heightens the chances you'll set your feet on the best path. Sometimes that path can seem intimidating, or at the least, challenging. Bear in mind that God won't abandon you there.
Homework
Decide where and when you will spend time this year in prayer and reflection in order to review, refresh and revise your goals. I suggest you schedule a retreat away from the distractions of life, perhaps in the company of one or two others doing the same, perhaps alone, for these purposes.
*This article written by Janalyn Voigt was adapted, with permission, from Author Haven. Thank you Janalyn!
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