Making the Most of This Year

January 1, 2016

What will you write in your life’s story this year?

I love the thought of having a clean slate and making the new year count more than the one before. To make plans and goals and to try and accomplish them. It feels good. Even though statistics tell us that most people never accomplish their resolutions, you have a 10x more likelihood of being successful if you write down your goals.

If you don’t have a goal what do you aim for? You just live life as it happens. How much more productive we could be if we imagine, dream and plan what we want and then aim for it.

It might be:

Spend more time each day in prayer

Plan fun outings with the family

Spend less

Seek ways to serve others

…and the list as you know could go on and on.

It seems like today you have to be intentional if you want to achieve what you really care about in life. It might be the many distractions or the too much busyness we all are faced with that take us away from what’s most important. Whatever the reasons you could safely say you’ll probably never attain your goals if you don’t at least imagine the end point.

Starting Afresh

So you mess up. Maybe you didn’t read this post till January 2 instead of January 1 (wink) and now the whole year is ruined. You have to wait until next year now to begin afresh. Wait a minute! Not true.

Each day is a new beginning with fresh potential. NOT just on January 1. Each day, each moment is an opportunity to begin again.

Yes, I like this a lot because failing at things is like first nature for me.

I found the above saying on Pinterest. I guess I’m not the only that has this problem? 🙂

So where do we begin when we are planning and dreaming?

I really am not an expert on this by any means and I’m sure you can find a lot of articles and posts on how to set goals but I’ll just share with you some things I like to do or want to practice more.

1. I think about what is needful in my life at this moment.

2. I think about things that would be really nice to do but may not be as important for me as #1.

3. I try to come up with a plan to make these goals attainable.

4. I try to be realistic. It doesn’t have to be grandiose to be a worthy goal.

5. Write it all down. Your goals, thoughts and plans.

6. Decide how you will track your successes each day.

7. Do you need accountability? If so, what will it be?

8. Keep yourself inspired and motivated.

9. Think positive thoughts. If you find yourself thinking or speaking negatively, reframe the thought in your mind to where it will be a positive one. (Ex. Instead of saying, “Oh, man, I have to do such and such,” you could say, “I have the privilege of doing so and so.”

10. Whatever you achieve or do – a relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing. Make it a priority.

Now go dream, imagine and plan… keeping in mind the role God has give you as a mother, wife or daughter.