New Year, New You

By Em Fergusson

Are you on the list of people who make New Year’s resolutions, only to find you’ve slipped up somewhere?  Preparing yourself for a lifestyle change requires more than just commitment, motivation is needed to kick start that change. If you’ve been vainly trying to reach those financial, health or personal goal(s) now is the time to incorporate some crucial steps to make it all happen.  This year, commit to a new you by following these five simple tips:

1. Understand Your Goals.

Writing down a goal simply because your spouse or a friend suggested it, is not enough for you to follow through. Take a step further by writing down why you want to accomplish your specific goal. Are your goals realistic? Are they attainable within the next 12 months and most importantly, how will reaching these goal(s) affect your life? It is important to recognize the importance of your new resolution(s) and why it is something you need to accomplish.

2. Positive Thoughts.

A lot easier than it sounds, thinking positive can be a struggle especially when your goals have yet to be met. One of the best ways to think positive is to begin by recognizing the goodness of God in your life. Who has He blessed you with? How has He blessed you? Perhaps you’ve experienced the blessings of an understanding colleague or a family member that helped when you needed it most. Once you’ve recognized the gratitude in your life, you will have the faith necessary to think and believe, “With God all things are possible!”

3. Taking Action.

Thinking positive without taking action will never help you reach your goals. This following step is crucial. What steps are necessary to put your goal(s) into action? As Christians, the most important decision-making begins on our knees before God. Keeping God central in your life will help you deal with the stress of putting your goal(s) into action. While you are praying and waiting for God’s guidance, do research. If you want to lose weight, speak with your doctor and find what will work best for you. Once you have gotten the information and/or support you need, you can begin a weekly, monthly or daily schedule to work on your goal(s). Keeping a calendar or a timetable in your daily planner will ensure success.