Scripture:

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Another Beginning

Since today is the beginning of the next 100 blog articles, I decided to write about goals and resolutions since 2012 is around the corner.

Definitions

According to Merriam-Webster.com the definition of a goal is:

2: the end toward which effort is directed : aim

Their definition (the one most appropriate for New Year’s) of a resolution is:

3 a: something that is resolved <made a resolution to mend my ways>

Goals

Goals are fluid and flexible (except in the world of collections).  They can be short or long term and reassessed and reevaluated.

Resolutions

On the other hand resolutions tend to be inflexible, long term, not meant to be reevaluated and way to easily broken.  Now is the time we make resolutions that are going to last all of next year, then life interrupts and resolutions go bye-bye.

2012 Actions

Don’t make resolutions for 2012 set goals instead.  Both long term and short term goals and figure out what you need to do daily, weekly, or monthly to achieve them.

So instead of “I will to lose 60 lbs next year”, say I will lose 5 lbs a month.  Losing 5 lbs a month is an a more achievable goal and one you are more likely to keep. 

Do a quick check on your goals mid-month so you can determine what is working and what is not.  That way you can readjust to make the second ½ of the month as or more productive.

At the end of every month look back on the month and reassess what happened and if changes need to be made for the next month. 

Also you may want to reassess goals on a quarterly or semi-annual basis and tweak them as necessary. 

My Goals

The following are some of my goals for next year.

• Get a job.
• Find more joy in life.
• Develop my photography skills.
• Take JoyReturns to the next level.
• Streamline emails received from different websites.
• Read daily devotionals in order to deepen my relationship with God.
• Become more involved with the new networking group I recently joined.
• Work on my Tastefully Simple business so it generates enough income between temporary assignments.

BONUS GOAL

• Quality time with whatever special man God drops on my doorstep.  This stands about as much chance of happening as the Browns winning the Superbowl, the Cavaliers the NBA Championship, and the Indian’s the World Series 😉

Those are my goals so far.  They are going to require a lot of hope and planning to bring to fruition but it is possible to “Achieve Anything” in this life.  (former KeyBank slogan)

You?

What are your goals, have you even thought about what you will accomplish next year?  Have you turned your plans over to the Lord seeking his guidance? 

Each one of us can accomplish what we plan with God’s help.  Ask him for assistance in determining what you should do and in equipping you to do them.  You will find a much greater joy working together with God on  achieving your goals – even if he changes them in mid-stream.

Quote:

“For the spirit of Christmas fulfills the greatest hunger of mankind.”

Loring A. Schuler