It's Jan"YOU"ary!

It’s a new year… officially 2014.  Wow!  Time flies.  For many this month is a time of reflection and goal setting.  It’s a time for YOU to determine what you want to focus on or accomplish this year.  It’s Jan“YOU”ary.  I challenge you to take this month to focus on YOU.   Come up with some simple goals to shoot for throughout the year. Make a list and keep it simple.  If you never set a goal, you will hit it every time!  Step out and try something new. 

A goal is simply… a dream with a deadline.  Who do you want to be in 2014?  What do you want that person to look like?  Start there…  Here are some inspiring quotes I read on the subject of setting goals:

"All our dreams can come true --if we have the courage to pursue them."  - Walt Disney

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford

"Fear melts when you take action towards a goal you really want."   - Robert Allen

"Living without an aim is like sailing without a compass."   -John Ruskin

Think through the past year and specifically the past three months. Jot down what you want to maintain, improve, and change.  It might be to begin eating right & exercising, taking a class of interest, starting a new hobby, saving for a vacation, focusing on getting debt-free, mending a broken relationship, or being more purposeful with your time.  What are your personal goals?  How could setting goals and shooting to meet those goals change your year?  I dare you to try it and see for yourself.

I am working on this process.  I usually have things figured out by the first week of January, but I’ve been sick a lot this month which has been frustrating.  It’s really hard to focus on things when you don’t feel well.  My plan is to have all of my goals for the year written out by the end of this month.  My list will include several areas of goals:  spiritual, physical, mental, family, financial, ministry, writing, etc…   Each person is different.  You need to list out the areas that are important to you.  I haven’t gotten everything figured out yet, but here are some of the ideas I am fleshing out…

MENTAL GOALS:

I want to read several books this year.  I made a list of specific books to read, so I actually do it.  Some are ones I heard about and others were recommended.  I am going to start small and add more if I finish this list.  Here it is so far…

~Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

~Developing the Leader With in You by Maxwell

~Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

~Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst

~Balancing it all by Candace Cameron Bure

~God of the Underdogs by Matt Keller

~God Meant it for Good by R.T. Kendall

~You’ll Get Through This by Max Lucado

I also want to read some e-books on my phone while I wait to pick my kids up from school or in waiting rooms at doctor’s offices.  I want my waiting to be productive, since I do A LOT of it!  I don’t want to waste a minute.

Two specific books on my list have peaked my curiosity.  The ladies that suggested these had no idea that I am in the process of writing a book on the very subject of their recommendation.  It’s a Bible study that draws parallels from my own life while studying the life of Joseph.  Needless to say I am very excited about reading them.  Perfect timing!

WRITING GOALS:

This year I want to become an official writer… not just a part-time blogger.  I want to finish my book and get it published.  I also want to set specific writing goals for my blog, writing e-books, discipleship resources, and the like.  I’m still working out the details on this one.

FAMILY GOALS:

I want to have family nights, more sit down meals, date nights with my kids & husband (all separate), and read specific books together to help us grow more in God. 

PROJECT: 31

I don’t know about you, but my family gets all caught up in their boxes…  TV, Computer, Laptop, Phone, IPod, Video Games, etc…  It seems like at times it takes away rather than adds to our family.  It sucks them in and it’s hard to bring them back to reality.  My thought is that each month that has 31 days, on the 31^st day of that month we take a MEDIA BREAK (Project: 31). We UNPLUG for that particular day. That’s about 6 times a year!!!   I know we may need access to our phones somewhat, but I would like to see us unplug from as much as we can.  It’s in my ideas for goals.  Maybe we could plan a special family night with NO media or go somewhere fun together.  I think we need to do MORE than this to UNPLUG from media, but this may be a good start for our family.

There are other goals I am working on, but they aren’t all fleshed out to put on paper.  Physical goals:  I want to get down to the size I was when I got married by my anniversary in July so we can re-do our wedding pictures (rent a dress & tux).  Spiritual goals:  I want to grow closer to God this year.  I am taking the 14/14 challenge this year… spending at least 14 minutes a day with God.  

My boys:  I want to set goals to help prepare them for the future.  My husband and I are making a list and calling it…“Mentoring to Manhood” goals.  We want to make sure they are adequately prepared for the real world.  I’m still working on this list, but some things you might find on it are… learn how to change a tire, iron clothes, and balance a check book.  We also want them to cook with us more often so they can learn and become comfortable.  This list is full of practical every day stuff and is ever growing…

These are some of MY goals.  I encourage you to write some of your own.  Choose the areas you may want to focus on and make a list of things you want to shoot for.  Put it somewhere you will see often so you can work on them.  Something new I am going to do (so I follow through) is to make a Checkpoint time to re-evaluate my goals to see how I am doing.  I may do a 3 month, 6 month, and 9 month check-up.  I am serious about being intentional and disciplined this year so I THRIVE in every area of my life.

I hope all my random ideas for goal setting has some how inspired you to become more purposeful and intentional this year with YOUR LIFE.   Take it one day at a time, one goal at a time, and adjust them as you go if they seem too overwhelming for you.  When you enlist God’s help in accomplishing your goals, nothing is impossible.

Philippians 4:13 says…“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Nothing is holding you back now, but YOU.  It’s time to start thinking, praying, writing, and believing God for an amazing year.  Your life may never be the same!

Living to leave a legacy,

Julie