It’s once again the time of the year when people are writing down their resolutions for the new year with great optimism. It always feels ecstatic to be thinking about the new amazing things in store. In the mood for a fresh start, some of these resolutions are driven by desires for a better becoming of themselves or their current state, some are “second chances” of what was not attained the year before, and a number, should I say, were moved by guilt and disappointment.
By that I mean, since people admit to have displayed negligence, laziness and staying in their comfort zone, none or nothing much was achieved. Wanting to lose weight yet always giving in to a humongous appetite, wanting to be out of debt and yet splurging into shopping spree as a reward for hard work, and wanting to have more meaningful relationships yet reluctant to cut on social media and time on TV are just some common examples I could think of.
Having made numerous new year’s resolutions myself, I found that the reasons why they don’t accomplish the purpose they were made for were because…
1. NEW YEAR DOESN’T STAY NEW FOR LONG.
We get new shoes and clothes but they’re no longer considered new after a few tries. By March, nobody considers the current year new. I don’t mean to hijack and be literal with the meaning of “new” but when a resolution is attached to a new year, the concept suggests a form of fading away with time.
Just like newly weds, they are admonished that marriage isn’t for as long as the feelings remain. It is not just for the new chapter and season of their lives. It’s commitment for the long haul.
2. THEY’RE NOT S.M.A.R.T.
We are familiar with having SMART goals for any resolution to be effective. As you draft them, make sure they are S.M.A.R.T.: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.
SPECIFIC: Be particular about what you really want to happen in your life. Vague goals are wishy washy. If you want your family relationships to improve, how do you envision it? Which ones are strained at the moment? Is it involving parents? Siblings? Other relatives? Is there any party that needs to be reconciled? Any closure that needs to happen? Specify.
MEASURABLE: Have numbers to gauge and support your goals so you can track progress. Again if you want family relationships to improve, how many times should you intentionally see each other in a month? How often should you call your aged parents back home? How much do you need to set aside to organize a family getaway? Having measurable goals is even more crucial with losing or gaining weight.
But hey, these numbers aren’t meant to stress you out or take away the joy of fulfilling your goals. They are guidelines so you can have an idea what was already achieved and yet to be done. It’s like a smartwatch that keeps track of your steps and shows if you’re really moving towards your end goal. It feels good to see yourself going somewhere.
ACHIEVABLE and REALISTIC: I put these two together because they’re somewhat related. Achievable is down to your current level, based on your current situation. Realistic means it’s not something out of this world like aspiring to be a millionaire in a year when you’re struggling to feed yourself.
A big goal can be drilled down into nuggets, working back to break it into simple goals. If you aim to have $5,000 savings by the end of the year, it means setting aside $417 each month. Is it achievable? Yes! If you’re making $3,000 a month and paying 60% for necessities, you still have another 40% to manage for saving and giving (and getting your wants).
TIME-BOUND: You can go on forever and not achieve what you want to happen in your life. Setting a timeline to get to your destination encourages discipline. There goes the painful “D” word that’s very essential yet many people avoid. It may not always happen according to the time you set but more often than not, it’s somewhere near that mark.
I remember I have been in debt above $20,000 for a few years due to mismanagement of credit cards and habitual turning to bank loans and credit line. It was unavoidable for me that time because I didn’t have much money when I purchased my first property. With the counsel of a financial planner in 2012, several financial management books and much prayer, I gave myself 2 years to be out of debt.
I’m still paying the same amount of mortgage and other financial obligations, but I sought to earn more so I can save more and give more. By October 2014, all my debts were paid out and I started 2015 debt-free!
3. IT IS NOT WRITTEN DOWN.
When a vision or goal is not written down and used as reference, it is easily forgotten. It’s like getting to an unfamiliar place for the first time and not jotting down directions nor taking note of landmarks. The “que sera sera” mindset leaves one aimlessly floating through life.
Having your goals written down not only reminds you of where you’re headed to and why it means to you, it also gives you a sense of accomplishment as you take steps to get to your desired destination. Make sure you refer to them often so you can keep track of your progress, even the lack of it.
So what this entry suggests for us to do to see our desires come to pass are:
1. Mark them as goals or visions for the year. You may also have quarterly or monthly goals that rally towards the year-end to make it simpler or on the side, have long term ones such as a 5 or 10-year goals.
2. Have goals that are S. M. A. R. T. = specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. I know it entails a lot more time to draft out something this intentional and purposeful but I tell you, it’s all worth it.
If you are a Christian, you might want to extend it to a S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goal which includes Expectation management (to help you be aware of some inhibitors) and Revelation which comes as you indulge in God’s Word and presence. There is power in confessing the promises of God over your situation and envisioning the wonderful future God has for you regardless of your circumstance.
3. It’s never too late to write them down. For me, it took me several weeks before I completed my comprehensive version of goals (categorized into personal health (physical, educational, emotional, spiritual), family and relationships, ministry, finances and career) and my top 10 goals for the year. If ten is too high a number, you may have your top 3 or top 5. Having less and achieving them is way better than having none and going nowhere.
I have yet to finish my 2016 goals. Right now I only have them written in my mind and heart. It’s among my important things to do this holiday season.
When things are written down, you think of them more often. It is a fact that…
THOUGHTS influence your FEELINGS and they move you into ACTION that affects the RESULTS.
Writing down your vision and goals in life gives strength and a needed healthy pace as you go through life’s journey.
Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it. – Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV)
May all of us witness an even greater year unfolding before our eyes. As you plan out and prepare for a better 2016, let me encourage you with these verses:
Entrust your work to the LORD, and your planning will succeed. – Proverbs 16:3 (ISV)
This vision is for a future time.
It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,
for it will surely take place.
It will not be delayed. – Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT)
BLESSED NEW YEAR AHEAD OF US BY GOD’s GRACE!
