It’s the beginning of January: a perfect time to reset, refocus and start something fresh. For many, it will be a time of exercise and shed the pounds from the holidays. For others, it will be a new beginning on a commitment to manage their time better or to finally tackle that one project that needs to get done this year. Unfortunately, less than 10% of New Year’s Resolutions are actually ever accomplished (Warton). 

I want to share a few thoughts related to making a New Year's Resolution and how adding a few steps to the process might help you to accomplish yours this year.

Step 1:  Determine what your goal is.

This is likely the easiest part because for most of us, we already know what we should focus on. This could be as easy losing 10 pounds, writing more, journaling, going to church, reading your Bible every day, etc. This should not be a list of 10 things, but for your sake, it is better to have no more than 3 resolutions that highlight specific actions that you want to take this year.

Step 2:  Envision your accomplished goal.

Envision that you actually accomplished the resolution or goal and what would look different in your life after you accomplish your goal.This is incredibly important because it gives you a vision of what your life would look like if you accomplished your goal. For instance, if you wanted to lose 10 pounds, you could fit in new clothes. If you started journaling regularly you would create a history to pass on to the next generation and likely hear more clearly from God and at the end of a year, you might have two journals full.  If you read your Bible every day you would know the Bible better and be able to recall Godly answers to everyday problems.

Step 3: Realize you can’t do it on your own… God has to be included.

Once you have a goal and can envision how your life would be different if you accomplished it, ask God if that is a priority for your life. “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord” (Lamentations 3:40).  Doing something out of your own strength is TIRING!

If you are confident that God’s in it, ask Him for help! Regularly pray for your goal and to keep on track and for His provision throughout the year.  Psalm 37:5 - Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.

Step 4: Write it down and tell a friend or family member about it.

No matter the goal, having someone to encourage you significantly increases your success rate by actually accomplishing it. We all have struggled in accomplishing our goals and having someone to hold us accountable and ask the hard questions when we are not making progress can help significantly!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Step 5: Start!
While it is obvious that without a start it is impossible to accomplish most anything, it remains true that you still actually need to start.  Start today and begin with prayer and then take a step in faith towards a new 2018.

I’m praying that in 2018 significantly more people accomplish what their dreams are than in years past.

 Steve Huffman oversees a number of areas including leadership development, campus development, and prayer ministries.

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