As a new year begins, I can’t help but to reflect on the year that it leaves behind. Last year brought highs and lows as I am sure this year will bring some of the same. However, we have a choices in the matter. We can choose to dwell on what has happened or hope for the greater promises of the beauty that is becoming…
Isaiah 43 states, “remember not the former things nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; not it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” This passage of scripture offers so much promise if we choose to focus on what God has promised to do for us. We can chose to dwell on the past or go excitedly toward our future, expecting God to lead and guide us through the adventures of life.
What are your goals and plans for this new year? What would you like to accomplish? Have you already tried to accomplish these goals before and failed? Then this passage is for you, forget all of your past failures, pick up the pieces of you that broke when you fell, and try again. You don’t have to remember your failures of the past, just remember the lessons you learned that strengthened you and try again. The time is now to accomplish those goals and I would like to provide you with a few tips to help you complete the task:
Start With A Plan
For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.
African Proverb
In order to get anywhere, you have to know where you are going. There are often many ways to accomplish a task but there are only a few that will work for you. You are the only one that know what you will and won’t do so it is up to you to have a plan or approach that works for you! I can say all day that want to be 150 lbs, but I must also establish how I will do it.
Complete Small Steps Daily
Commit to doing something everyday in efforts to complete your goal. By doing this, it keeps the goals ever present and it allows you to make strides toward achievement. Small wins add up to big victories, so in my efforts, I may choose to exercise one day, turn down a dessert the next day, and look up a new healthy recipe the next. All these tasks are completed with the thought of getting to 150 lbs.
Log Your Progress
Keep some type of log or journal that you can refer to to see the progress you are making. This will help you to see the progress you are making, and serve as encouragement for you when you may not feel like working on that goal. One thing I have on my fitness journey is a Fitbit and this device tracks my steps and monitors how many times work out during a week. When I don’t feel like working out, I just look at the data that it has tracked for the previous weeks as accountability. I at least have to do the same as the week before, I cannot fall behind. So by having this log, it serves as motivation to continue running the race to achieve my goal.
Be Consistent
Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.
Dwayne Johnson
As you begin your journey, whatever it is, be consistent. Will you falter? Yes, but don’t worry about it. The important thing is to begin again, and again, and again. Be consistent at whatever the task. Don’t expect perfection to come overnight, however, being consistent during the process will lead to success. This means that you will have to be fully engaged in accomplishing that goal without distraction or often self-sabotaging decisions. For instance, in order for me to stay consistent on this weight loss journey, I cannot skip workouts to sleep in. If I have stated in plan that I will be going to the gym durning certain times, I have to consistently be in the gym, working out during those times.
So, whatever your goals are for this new year, take heed to the suggestions: Start with a plan, complete small steps, log your progress, and be consistent. As we embark on a new year, what are some of the goals that you would like to accomplish. Drop a comment below to share what your goals are. It is my prayer that you will put these steps into practice and accomplish them.
Empowered to WIN 