12 Jan, 2010
About that resolution...ummm...yeah
9 ways to keep your New Year's resolutions
With the start of 2010 and a new decade, let's make sure you stick to those New Year's resolutions. If your New Year's resolutions from last year have gone unresolved, you're not alone. Now a new year offers another opportunity to achieve your goals, and these nine tips should help you keep to your New Year's resolutions in 2010.
- Make it something you really want. Don't make it a resolution that you "should" want or what other people tell you to want. It has to fit with your own values, experts say.
- Limit your list to a number you can handle. "It's probably best to make two or three resolutions that you intend to keep," says O'Connor. That way, you're focusing your efforts on the goals you truly want.
- Be specific. "To be effective, resolutions and goals need to be pretty specific," says O'Connor. Jettison the amorphous "exercise more," in favor of "I'm working out at the gym Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 p.m."
- Automate. If your goal is to save $3,000 this year, calculate the amount out of each check, then arrange to have it automatically deposited into your savings account each time you get paid, says Ernst.
- Make a plan. Rather than stating one daunting goal, create a series of smaller steps to reach it.
- Be prepared to change some habits. One reason that resolutions fail is people don't change the habits that sabotage them, says Rosalene Glickman, Ph.D., author of "Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self."
- Write down the goal and...put them in a prominent place where you'll view them frequently, such as the fridge or on your desk. Glickman keeps her important life goals and priorities on her computer's screen saver. That way, "I have to see them," she says.
- To tell or not to tell? Having someone hold you accountable can be a powerful tool. "In general, making a public commitment adds motivation," O'Connor says.
- Forgive yourself. If you fall off the wagon, jump back on. A trap that many people fall into is, believing that if they fail, that's it, says O'Connor.
To read the full article by Dana Dratch go to bankrate.com 1/6/09.
Proverbs 13:4 [NIV]
The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
I Timothy 4:12-16 [NIV]
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
John 15:5b [NIV]
...apart from me you can do nothing.
Philippians 4:13 [NIV]
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
What does God's Story teach us about dedication to good pursuits?
This past week I was hanging out with a teenager and I asked him if he had made any New Year's resolutions. He excitedly said that he had. After asking him what they were, he even more excitedly told me that he had decided to read his Bible every day in 2010. I told him that was great and then I asked him how it was going so far.
With his head slowly dropping in shame, he replied with no excitement at all, "Umm...not so good."
We have all been there haven't we? Good intentions with little follow through. Perhaps you are there already after only 12 days of the New Year.
God's Word reminds us of a couple of key points today:
- Diligence does pay off...regardless of the goal.
- Dedication...especially to the reading of His Word, teaching, preaching and prayer are something to which we are called!
- Apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
- With Christ, we can do ANYthing!
Connecting today's story and God's Story with my story
In another conversation this past week, someone told me about their desire to lose 50 pounds...an impressive desire for sure. I then asked them if they were planning to sign up for the weight loss class at the local YMCA. Their response was, "I would, but it seems like such a hassle." Their "desire" did not translate into dilgient action.
Whether your goal may be to be in the Word more, pray more, start to serve in the community, love your family better or become healthier...set your mind to it with diligence as you rely on Christ's help!
Dr. David Jeremiah once said, "Against the backdrop of people who avoid work, cut corners, and do half-hearted jobs, a diligent man stands out. Practicing diligence is an excellent way to stand out for Christ at home, in the workplace, and even at church. Today, complete each one of your tasks, however big or small, with diligence."
Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story with their story
- Ask your friends if they have set any New Year's resolutions. Perhaps they could use some encouragement right about now.
- Perhaps a lost friend will need some companionship as they try to conquer their goals...maybe you could hop on the treadmill next to them at the gym, stick to the same diet or learn a new hobby with them. It will be a good reason to spend more time together and learn more about their story while you achieve whatever goals may lie before you.
- This may be the perfect time to ask them to read one chapter from God's Story each day with you...and then discuss it. Maybe it is finally time for them to investigate for themselves what you have been talking about for a while now.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
