Resolution Check: How I'm Doing On Getting Things Done

The temperature is 4 degrees outside. Instead of face the sub-zero wind chill, I decided to check my planner to see how I'm doing with New Year's resolutions. 

I'm not as far behind as I thought.

I resolved to memorize Scripture this year, a chapter a month. The first chapter of John has been quite a challenge, with 51 verses. By this point in the month, I should have 25 verses memorized. I'm not there yet, but I do have 16 verses memorized and am working on the 17th. 

How have I managed it? I spend a few minutes memorizing every morning, but I also ponder the verses and find applications in my life throughout the day. I try to live the Scripture I'm learning by soaking in its truth.

Two weeks into the month, Scripture memorization is already becoming a habit. 

My mentoring partner and I are holding each other accountable, as well. We agreed to quote the verses we'd learned in our Sunday morning time together. As you might imagine, I practice hard to be sure I'm ready. Accountability is key. 

"Take a blogging course" was on my list for January. I signed up for a four-part online course. I'm through the prequel course and 1/3 of the way through the main course. It's harder than I expected and taking more time than I wanted, but I'm learning critical skills. I'm stopping to practice what I've learned, which nails the knowledge down and assures I understand the material.

Get at least 10,500 steps every day was also one of my goals. Yesterday was the first time I fell short, with just under 9,000 steps. I should've finished out my goal on the elliptical, but I worked on a writing project until late. 

If you want lots of steps, put horses in the barn at night and walk back and forth. Add cleaning out the stalls and you'll have more steps than you can imagine. 

One simple lifestyle change has made all the difference.

I'm supposed to be following the DASH diet this year. Less salt and meat. Lots more vegetables and fruits. A weekly pot of vegetarian vegetable soup helps me meet my vegetable requirement, and a supply of fruit in the crisper has made the difference with the fruit requirement. (I'll do a different blog post later on specifics) 

Weather and limbs on fences have prevented a few outings and meetings I'd planned, but there's still time. Reading 100 books this year is also on my list. I've finished seven already. (I'll do a blog post on how-to's)

The most important part of sticking to my resolutions was in the making. I prayed about every area of my life. What changes were needed? How should they be done? It's not an accident that Scripture memory is the FIRST resolution on which I work every single day. 

I didn't stop after praying about my resolutions. I pray about my to-do list and about how to get it done, too. Specific, goal-directed prayer is a critical part of my daily life. 

I've already begun to tackle some of the most challenging areas in my life and I'm making progress. How? Because I've made a plan, stuck to it, and prayed it through. 

What are your resolutions for the year? What changes did you plan to make? It's not too late to meet your goals. Make a start now, take consistent steps, and you, too, can have an amazing year.

The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When Snow Doesn't Fall: 6 Ways to Deal with the Disappointment of Unmet Expectations

You might also like: How to Change 2018 From Just Getting By to Simply Amazing

Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash

How to Change 2018 from "Just Getting By" to Simply Amazing

2018 is only a few hours old, and we've already begun to spend the year. Sleep, food, exercise, family, work, friends, fun, and faith. We'll fill this year with so much, but what will we accomplish with the time we're given? 

Some of us will do amazing things. Others will barely get by. If we want to be in the amazing category, we need to be intentional about our choices and actions. 

With "amazing" in mind, this year, I'm taking a new approach to planning and I think it's going to be helpful. If something sounds useful, feel free to incorporate it. 

I prayerfully made a master to-do list that's pages long and includes every area in which I want to make progress. I asked God to direct my plans and show me what He wants to accomplish this year. His plans, of course, are much more important than mine. 

We know God wants us to love Him, love others, and be a clear witness for Him to the world around us. He's not a God of chaos, but of order, so we know He wants order in our lives, our finances, and our homes. Scripture says our bodies are the temple of God, so we know He wants us to care for them. 

With His will for order in mind, all the things I need to do around my home, including repairs to be done, cabinets to clean out, floors to refinish, and clothes to sort through and pass along are on my "home" list. You probably have a to-do list as long as mine. When I look at the entirety, it seems impossible. Sorted into one task a month, it's fairly easy.

I made similar lists for writing, ministry, finances, and personal care, then divided them into sets of monthly goals to achieve. I have a busy year planned, but everything I want to do can be done if I stick to the plan. I've written each month's goals in my planner so that I'm accountable, and so that I don't forget. 

I've failed at the usual goal of "lose twenty pounds" numerous times. This year, in order to take care of the temple of God (my body) I've changed the goal to "be intentional about health." Part of that intentionality includes what I eat and how much exercise I get. 

I want my blood pressure and cholesterol to be better at the end of 2018 than they are at the start, and I don't want more medicine. If that goal is to be achieved, I'll have to make enough lifestyle changes to accomplish it. 

For January, I've set "check blood pressure and weight daily and record" as one of my goals. Another is to get at least 10,500 steps daily for five days a week. (If you don't have a step-counter, your smart phone will count steps for you.) 

Since I also have a goal of less than 2,300 mg of sodium and less than 2000 calories per day, I plan to write down what I eat, every single bite. I know from experience that the simple act of recording my intake makes me less likely to "graze" mindlessly when I'm bored. 

For January, I've set goals of "manicure" and "have lunch with friends twice." After my fencing adventure, I have so many barbed wire scratches on my hands  that even a manicure will not be enough to repair the damage, but it's a start. 

Time with friends won't happen if I don't choose it. Neither will time with family, which is also on my list. 

Another area I've included in my monthly planning is "faith." One discipline I'd like to incorporate this year is Scripture memorization. I set a simple goal of one chapter a month. The first chapter of John has 51 verses, and I'm familiar with the passage. If I memorize three verses per day, I'll have room to spare in January. 

If a chapter a month seems too much, why not memorize one Scripture verse every week? It's a powerful way to change your life and deepen your faith. 

I'd like to expand my outreach in 2018, broaden my digital reach, improve my writing, complete new projects, and remove clutter in my home. It's all on my list. The plan's a good one, but the most important part of it is me. Will I do what I've planned or not? 

This year, we can accomplish more than we've ever done before IF we make a plan, get started, and stick with it. Who's with me? 

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 nasb

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In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link:The Fence Repair Adventure