How was 2011 for you? Did it turn out as you expected? If you’re like most people, some things probably went well, other things maybe not so much.
If you walk upright and are human, the gravitational pull is to live by default rather than by design, to get sucked into making a living instead of living with meaning on purpose.
The New Year is a reminder to shake off apathy, inconsistency and the status quo, to make a decision you’re not going to stay where you are, that you’re going to go higher, to live deeper and maximize the gift of 2012.
One thing is for sure, the coming year won’t be a great year by accident or because you’re so good looking instead, because you live it on purpose! If you’re OK with what you’ve been experiencing in your life then keep doing what you’ve been doing…keep living life in the same way.
On the other hand, if you want something different and better, then you must do what you’ve never done. Recently I heard someone say that most people don’t lead their lives instead, they accept them.
It’s so easy to fall into one of two sabotaging mindsets, the first one says, “I’ll never change” so we just accept our lot in life and try to make the best of it. The other says, “one day when all the planets are aligned and the moon is at three-quarter phase then my ship will come in and everything will work out for me”.
The truth is, both ways of thinking will handicap you and leave you limping along the road of life. I love the clarity in a statement the Apostle Paul made regarding how we should live in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 he said, Run in such a way that you may win and then he says, I run in such a way, as not without aim. In other words, he has a definite aim and direction for his life.
Here are five practical steps that will bring direction, passion and clarity to your life’s race and will position you for the best year ever!
1. Put Prayer First – Maybe you’ve heard it said, “all is well that ends well”. Not true, according to the Bible, “all is well that begins well.” Prayer is our means to dream and begin well (Matthew 6:33). It’s called the principle of the first. It says when you give God your first and best, God is then able to bless the rest – in every area of your life.
2. Have a Plan – Success is always intentional! You’ll never accidentally get out of debt, break an addiction, accomplish a goal or do something great. You need more than a dream or a goal; you also need a plan to daily take steps toward accomplishing your dream or goal. A goal without a plan is only half complete and a dream without a plan is just a wish. The Bible says it this way, “faith without corresponding actions is dead” (James 2:17).
3. Ruthlessly Prioritize – If you don’t prioritize and set your schedule, other things and other people will. Prioritization is the process of allocating your time. Why is that important? Because where you spend your time and focus your energy determines what you’ll accomplish and what dreams you’ll realize. In the end, all we have is time, it’s the currency of life, so invest it wisely and it will pay the dividends you desire.
4. Think Progress – Life is NOT about perfection, it’s about progress. Getting from where you are to where you want to be happens one step at a time. So don’t put off getting started. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap (AMP). The victories and spoils of this life tend to go to those who start, keep moving and refuse to quit.
5. Persevere – Hebrews 12:1 states, let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us (AMP). Make a decision to never quit and commit to daily motivating yourself to that end. Don’t wait for someone else to motivate you, you must motivate you. In 2012 decide to not be your own worst enemy instead, start being your own best cheerleader; it will keep you strong, focused and resolute until you’re standing in your dreams!
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