The Problem with Most New Year’s Resolutions

A new year is upon us.  New years mean fresh starts which is great.  They also mean lots of new year resolutions.

I believe that almost everyone makes New Year’s resolutions.  Few actually write them down and fewer still admit them to others, or themselves, but it’s virtually impossible to hang up that new calendar without thinking about what was and what is to come.

The biggest problem with most resolutions, whether unspoken or not, is that they really aren’t resolutions.  Most resolutions are just wishes.  There’s nothing concrete behind them and that’s why they invariably fail.

This year, try something new.  Instead of starting off with a wishlist, start your year doing the following…

1.  Seek God First

Never try to make long-term plans apart from God.  Start your year asking God what He hopes to accomplish in and through you in 2013.

We shouldn’t be trying to cram God around the edges of our plans.  Instead, we should be striving to cooperate with His plans.  That is always more fruitful…and enjoyable.

2.  Make Commitments Not Wishes

Make true resolutions not just vague wishes and dreams.  Resolve to take concrete action steps.  Determining where you’re headed is the easy part.  The hard part is actually committing to something and doing the hard work to make it happen.

Also, create some sort of visual aid to help you remember why you’re doing what you’re doing, as well as the commitment you’ve made to yourself.

3.  Break Big Goals into Small Steps

Whatever you’re attempting to do break it into small steps (daily steps are ideal) and then commit to those small steps.  A commitment to a large goal is actually a commitment to a series of smaller goals that together make up a larger mission.

4.  Enlist Coaches and Fans

To strengthen your commitment, tell some friends and get then on board to cheer you on over the long haul.  (You can even share your resolutions here if you like.)

If your goal requires skills you don’t have or can’t pick up easily then hiring a coach, trainer, or consultant might be in order.

5.  Proactively Commit to Start Again

When you fail (not if), you’ve got to start again.  That’s easy to say now but it’s hard to do when facing the stinging disappointment of failure.  Go ahead and commit now to start over and over again…no matter how many times it takes.  That’s the real essence of committing to any worthwhile goal.

I pray that the Lord blesses you as you start 2013 resolved to become all that God wants you to become in the coming year.