Have you set any goals for yourself this year? I have several, and I thought I’d pass along some of the thoughts that have been inspiring me to keep pushing through to accomplish them.
Do you know who really inspires me? Exceptionally average people. I’m most challenged and motivated when I see someone who the world doesn’t necessarily know much about make a decision to do something good, especially when it isn’t naturally easy for them.
I am a sucker for any kind of TV show that involves a transformation. Be it “Biggest Loser,” “What Not to Wear,” or any other show of that kind, I get inspired by seeing people step outside of their comfort zones to rid themselves of baggage in order to grow as a person.
As I watch other people transform, whether in real life or television, there are some key factors that are always a part of a genuine change in that person. I’m working to adopt each of the following things in the areas I’ve prayerfully determined need to be a priority in my life.
1. I have to want to change. Even when we know we are doing something that isn’t bettering our lives, it’s easier to stick with what’s familiar and comfortable, but it doesn’t make us any better off. For example, I want to change my habit of only writing sporadically, so that means I have to put aside excuses and write more.
2. I have to change my priorities. Excuses must go by the wayside. There are legitimate reasons that some seasons do not allow for stepping up and making big changes, but those seasons don’t last forever. I know when it’s time for me to kick it into gear and get to work again, but it’s not going to happen until I decide to make what’s important to me a priority.
3. Saying “I can’t” is not optional. Again, there are seasons where I really “can’t.” I wasn’t able to consistently get up before both of my kids at any point in the last 11 months because I haven’t been regularly getting decent nights of sleep. That has started to change in the past couple of weeks, which has been fantastic! I thought I was out of the sleep-deprived fog months ago, but now I see the truth. I’m only just now coming out of the fog. (Hallelujah!) That means I can work on my goal of getting up early.
4. Saying “no” is required. Every transformation requires saying no. In What Not to Wear, the clients have to be willing to throw away their entire wardrobes before getting a new one. In Biggest Loser, the contestants must say no to the unhealthy parts of their lifestyle so they can begin living quality lives. There will be things I must let go of to reach my goals.
5. Move the focus off the past to look at the future. We should never forget where we’ve come from, but it’s never healthy to be stuck there. I love the verses in Isaiah 43:18-19,
“Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.”
In the past, I’ve had tasted both success and failure, but today is a new day. I’m in a new season, and I must do the work that is required to accomplish the goals I have for my future. I mentioned a couple of my goals in this post: writing more and getting up earlier. So I thought I’d share with you how I’m working to be proactive about them.
First off, I’m trying to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier. I haven’t had a perfect week, but the thing is, there have been days that I have successfully accomplished my goal. That’s a big deal to me.
Second, I took on a challenge issued by one of my favorite current writers, Jeff Goins. He invited his readers to join him in a month-long challenge in January to write 500 words a day. I decided to join in, and I’ve done it! I’ve actually written around 7,000 words since January 1st.
So, my friend, what goals have you set for yourself this year? What or who is inspiring you to make them happen? I’d love to hear your story.