HOW TO MAKE RESOLUTIONS WORK

A new year is coming and with it brings all kinds of new possibilities. A new beginning, a new start, a new you! I am betting that each of you has made resolutions in the past only to see them quickly be left behind. How can we make this year different, how can we achieve our goals and dreams?

A resolution is really nothing more than a goal. It is saying that you “resolve” to make a change or do something. It is not really binding like a contract. If you don’t achieve what you set out to do then no one but yourself knows. I think that is why it is so easy to quit and throw down any resolutions that we make. Let’s change that right now.

Here is a simple contract that you can do for yourself. “I, ______________________, agree to do _____________________ for the month of __________________________. Notice that there is a short time frame of only one month. Most of us can do almost anything for 1 month. We can have a calendar and mark off the days when we accomplish our goals and it is a great visual for what you have accomplished and how much time is left. It is easy to get discouraged it your time frame is too long.

Secondly, be specific about what you want to do. Saying that you want to exercise is not specific. Saying that you want to walk 1 mile every day and do 15 situps and 30 lunges per day is being specific. Saying that you want to get healthy is not specific but saying that you want to drink 8 cups of water per day or cut out all caffeine is being specific.

Accountability. You need to tell someone your goal or better yet, find someone who shares the same goal as you. Talking every day about what you have done will help to get you in the mood to accomplish your goal. You might not care to let yourself down just this once but you might not be as eager to tell your best friend that you didn’t go through with the plan.

Day off. Everybody needs a day of rest, relaxation, and a day to do anything you want. Try not to sabotage yourself by eating an entire cake or smoking a whole pack of cigarettes but going out to dinner without counting every calorie would be nice for a change. Having that day off actually keeps you better motivated since you can see it marked on your calendar. “No reason to cheat on my diet today since Saturday is my off day.”

I try to break down my goals into different categories. I have Faith, Family, Health, Beauty, Work, etc. You can make your own categories yourself. You can have only 1 category or 15 categories.

2017 is now in the rearview mirror and there is not a lot that you can do to change that. BUT, it is now time to start fresh and start anew. We only do this one time a year when it comes to resolutions but the great thing is that we can start fresh and start anew at any given time with the Lord. He wipes away the slate when we repent. He forgives when we beg His forgiveness. He is always beckoning us to come to Him with open arms.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 

I hope you have a Blessed Day!

Happy New Year!!!