It's that time again when we are thinking about setting goals for the new year. Most of us have made New Year's resolutions. I'm guessing that an equal number of people abandoned them before the end of the year. A 2023 Forbes Health survey found the average resolution lasts less than four months. Other sources said 80% don't make it through February. Did you know the second Friday in January is called "Quitter's Day?"
Here are a few tips to help you get past the second Friday and maintain motivation the whole year.
Tips for Success with Your Goals
Set a Long-term Goal.
Be specific so you will know when you have reached your goal.
For example, I will lose 20 lbs in 6 months is much more concrete than "Lose weight." You will know where you are headed and exactly when you get there.
Set a Daily Goal
Break it down into well-defined, small, manageable steps.
For example, I will walk for 10 minutes per day. Just saying exercise more leaves too many questions. What kind of exercise? How long? How many days per week?<
Set a Regular Time
Establishing a time helps keep us on track rather than trying to fit it into our schedule each day and becoming frustrated when we are too busy during the day and too tired at night. Creating a trigger event can also be effective. I will walk 10 minutes when I first get up. It may not always be the same time, but it does happen MOST days. lol
Set a Regular Place
Choose a location that inspires, relaxes, or in some way makes you feel good to be there.
Why Daily?
Daily behavior builds a habit faster.
Breaking down a long-term goal into well-defined SMALL MANAGEABLE STEPS that can be done DAILY gives the best chance at success. So it is better to do something daily for five minutes rather than 30 minutes two or three times a week.
Daily behavior Reduces Stress
Establishing a habit (specific task - regular time/place) takes the anxiety out of the process because there are fewer decisions to make.
Daily behavior Boosts Focus & Productivity
With all the decision-making and anxiety out of the way, there is more brain power and energy left over for the task.
Daily behavior Increases Creativity
Consistency of information keeps ideas flowing. Remember returning to school after breaks or summer vacation. How much time was spent on REVIEW? Staying with something daily eliminates the loss of time answering the question, "Now, where was I?" and increases the time of engagement and idea flow.
Daily behavior Increases Confidence
It is easier to see and feel good about the progress with small daily accomplishments.
Daily behavior Increases Success
With less stress, increased productivity, idea flow, and confidence, there is a better chance of excitement to keep going rather than dread. Therefore, there is a better chance of reaching that long-term goal.
Make Daily Bible Reading One of Your Goals
Let me encourage you to make daily time in The Word one of those goals. The benefits of doing things daily apply to reading the Bible daily as well... maybe even more.
Arnold Cole, Ed.D. & Pamela Caudill Ovwigho, Ph.D polled 40,000 people from ages 8-80 to learn about Bible engagement. They found that engagement with the Bible 1-3 times per week (which could include church services) showed very little results in key areas of their life. There was a slight increase at two and three times a week, but when people were engaging at least four times a week, the change was astounding.
Feelings of loneliness decreased 30%.
Anger issues decreased 32%.
Bitterness in relationships decreased 40%.
Alcoholism decreased 57%.
Sex outside of marriage decreased 68%.
Spiritual stagnation decreased by 60%
Viewing pornography decreased 61%
Sharing their faith increased 200% (WOW!)
Discipling others increased 230%
The Word has the power to change lives for the better!
Is 55:10-11
The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
And it will prosper everywhere I send it.
The word is the Bread of Life!
I think we can all agree that eating daily is much better than 1 - 2 times a week. He wants us to be filled... not hungry or thirsty.
John 6:35, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
The word is salvation - Cover to Cover!
His plan to rescue and restore was there all along. He is the same God! He wants nothing more than for us to know how much He loves us and longs for a relationship with us.
Romans 10:17 - "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
The word is a light!
We don't have to bump around in this dark world without a flashlight.
Psalm 119:105 - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
The word is promises of hope and blessings!
Psalms 1:2-3, “Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, and whatever they do prospers.”
The word is truth!
John 8:31-32 - "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”
The word is power!
The truth of the word renews our mind, which brings power to change. Once we know the truth, we no longer believe the lies that confuse us and keep us bound to things like anger, frustration, and loneliness.
John 17:17 - "Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth."
Set a Long-Term Goal
Read the Bible through in a year
Read the Old Testament through in a year
Read the New Testament through in a year
Read a Chronological Bible (More like a story)
Read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
Read the Pauline Epistles
Topic Study - Pick something interesting to you
Study through a specific book of the Bible
Break it down into small, manageable steps
Read a chapter a day.
Read 10, 20, or 30 minutes a day. (Better 10 minutes a day than 30 minutes 1-2 times a week.)
Get a One-Year Bible
Find a daily reading schedule
Pick up a study guide for a topic or a book of the Bible
Download a Bible app with a reading plan. (YouVersion, Bible Gateway)
Set a time
Morning has fewer distractions, but choose what works best for you. That will lead to the best results.
Pick a place
Choose a comfortable, quiet place. Ideally, you can keep a Bible, notebook, pens, and other study tools there to make it easier each time. Make some coffee, and enjoy some quiet time with God and His word.
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