BIG, BAD, SCARY 2022 – Face it With New Year’s Resolutions …. OR new YOU?
I like new. I mean, who doesn’t like fresh, shiny, clean, bright, perfect?
As a child, on Christmas morning everything (well, many things) would be NEW – curtains, sheets, presents under the Christmas tree, and food. Leading up to Christmas day, the house and furniture would be stripped, cleaned, polished or painted, and made to be in shipshape, all so that everything would look and feel spanking new on that special morning.
I still try to have things sparkling clean and/or new for Christmas day even now with my own family. It is much less ‘exciting’ while doing it, but I feel good when it’s done. I feel the same feelings I had back then, when things are finally clean, fresh, and new. At least once for the year, if nothing else, I get new curtains, new sheets, and new mats. Oooooooh, I love it!!!
Isn’t that why we look forward to the weekends? Week after week we thankfully put behind us the old and we get to look forward to the new.
So, I like a new year. On January 1, I am grateful, hopeful, and open to endless possibilities. The fact that I am alive and well is a BIG deal for me. How about you?
The unknown can be scary, but with a God who is faithful, regardless of what 2022 holds, our future can be sure.
Many of us believe that we have to make new year resolutions to make the best use of the blank slate the new year presents to us and turn things around for the better. We believe that if we strongly resolve to “do better” and mean it with all our hearts, the ‘magic’ of a new year would somehow make those resolutions become reality. Hmmmmmmm.
Just like the compulsive gambler who for years continues to gamble with the hope of winning big; although year after year, they never do, some of us year after year make… and break resolutions. Why? They are either too vague, too unrealistic, and/or we do not make concrete plans and keep track of them - so we forget about them or get discouraged and abandon them.
This year my sister, set clear goals instead. Write them down, put them where you can constantly see them, remain focused on them throughout the year, and take consistent small or not-so-small steps toward achieving them.
Furthermore, is it that we expect to do the same things we have always done, and get different results? Hmmmmm. The resolutions may be new…..or not so new, but do we remain the same year after year? Do we have the same dead-end habits, negative mindsets and limiting beliefs? Do we still listen to the same naysayers (friends or not) who do not hold us accountable, or worse, discourage us or lead us astray from our goals? Are we content with the same skills we have had (or not had) for years but which are no longer sufficient for the current demands? Are we the same ole, same ole persons we were one year ago, wanting brand new outcomes this year?
My sister, as we prepare to reset this weekend, think on this: If you want things to change, YOU have to change.
God does not remove the bad things that happen in our lives, or prevent us from experiencing hurt, or pain, or sorrow, loss, or disappointment. Bad things happen to good people all the time. God does not remove the bad and evil from the world. He changes us. He gives us peace, and joy right in the middle of whatever we face in life.
He changes YOU. He makes YOU new!
I don’t know what 2022 has in store for me nor for you. I do however, know the God who knows. He has NEVER, EVER left me nor abandoned me. People have. I have disappointed others. Circumstances have been desperate at times, but God? God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has been with me every step of the way and He will be with you too if you let Him.
The more chaotic things become around me, the more I depend on God, the more I dig into His Word and believe it for ME. The more I keep my eyes on Him and put my faith in Him. He has proven Himself over and over to me.
I am challenging you this weekend (and every day) to trust God who created the universe, to enable and empower you. I am challenging you to trust Him as He unfolds what is new for you in 2022.
You have to trust Him, though. He says if we trust him with all our heart and don’t lean on our own understanding, if we acknowledge Him in all our ways…. He WILL direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
As you set your goals (NOT resolutions) for this new year, I invite you to join me in trusting God with 2022? Ask Him to change you and guide you. Ask Him to reveal His plans for you, and trust that He will.
Then, you can take the following proven steps to setting….and achieving your God-given goals 😊:
Write down (this is critical) your top 10 (no more than) goals for 2022 (could be less)
Make them SMART – Specific vs vague, Measurable vs abstract, Action-oriented vs passive, Realistic vs ridiculous, and Timebound (with deadlines)
Break each down into 3 or 4 milestones so you can tackle them in “bite-sized pieces”
Put up images of them (Vision Board – could be digital) where you can see them every day
Share them with someone trustworthy for support and accountability
Expect them and give God thanks for them in advance
Plan to take steps toward them each quarter, month, week and day
Assess your progress every quarter, month, week and day
Celebrate your progress as you make it …no matter how small (decide now how you will)
This Weekend’s Reset tip is:
Set aside at least 2 hours of quiet, uninterrupted time (even if you have to give up some sleep in the wee hours of the morning….just this once 😊). Have a pen and your journal or a notebook/paper, a cup of tea, or a glass of preferred beverage. Pray and ask God to direct you, and set your goals for 2022 – Steps 1-3 above.
To help you with steps 1- 4 above, here is the recording of my Vision Board workshop held in December last year.
To help you make your goals a reality, consider my 90-Day Recharge and Reset Online course. Not only will you get clear on your goals, but you will also be provided with tools and resources to help you take the necessary action to achieve them and more, and to enjoy your best year and life ever!!!
Learn here how the Recharge and Reset course could be just what you need to STOP having failed resolutions and instead START achieving BIG goals in 2022 and beyond.