We are on the final downhill slope towards the end of the year. I know it's a little early to be thinking about new years resolutions but it is just about the right time to think about this years resolutions. We often joke about failing in our resolutions within the first month of making them. Come January there will be many posts poking fun at the phenomena and giving helpful advice on how to make resolutions. It seems silly to start thinking about resolutions after the fact doesn't it. It's almost like we have gotten in the habit of thinking of them as a failure before we even begin. I'm going to start talking about it now because I want to set myself, and hopefully you, up for success. In the last three Friday's of 2018 I am going to do some self assessment with the hope that you will join me. This isn't meant to shine a spotlight on failures. It's meant to shine a light of truth. So let's take a look back at what worked, what didn't and how to do better.
Maintaining a resolution has two major factors, in my opinion, that lead to successful ending your year with endurance. And that's what resolutions take, endurance.
1. Setting reasonable goals
2. checking in and assessing how your doing periodically throughout the year
Maintaining a resolution has two major factors, in my opinion, that lead to successful ending your year with endurance. And that's what resolutions take, endurance.
1. Setting reasonable goals
2. checking in and assessing how your doing periodically throughout the year
Setting reasonable goals starts with giving yourself enough prep time. Thinking about what to resolve yourself too on Dec 31 isn't going to help you in the long term. It takes time to think about what your life and what changes need, should or can be made. Some resolutions take preparation and advanced warning. Sometimes resolutions require accountability, medical intervention, meal planning or research. Give yourself some time over the next few weeks to think about what you are going to resolve and all that that will entail. Setting reasonable goals also means searching yourself for what you really want to change. Being invested in the change, and therefor able to endure to the end, requires that it's real, not just a thing that sounds good because everyone's doing it.
The second major factor in a successful resolution is the practice of assessment. Not for the purpose of reminding yourself that you've failed, but so that you can see where you're at. Assessments are designed for resetting, evaluation and restart. Needing to readjust doesn't mean you've failed, it means you're responsibly managing your course. Checking in periodically is holding yourself accountable, keeping your resolution in the forefront of your mind and part of the learning experience.
Since my goal this year was to write a blog every week, I'd say I'm doing pretty well. I've only got a few weeks left to complete this resolution and I am well on track. They haven't all been the best thing I've ever written, but they have been written. I'd be on a much different path if I did everything perfectly. I'm not saying I didn't want to strive for excellence but my priority was balance. I set a reasonable goal, managed expectations and didn't swing to any extremes to accomplish it. I know that's a lot of productivity buzz words. The result was a year of growth and learning.
Ultimately, you must ask yourself what the goal of a resolution is. Resolutions are about enacting change. For some, it's a response to lack. Lack of happiness, direction or fulfillment. For some, it's a response to excess. For me, it's a call to growth. To step outside of my comfort zone and embark on an adventure. To break out of the ruts, routines and mundanities of life. To seek the wonder and awe that God has surrounded us with. A call to see life anew.
While I was thinking about the near completion of my resolution, and how I sometimes get mired down in the familiar and mundane, it reminded me of Uncle Traveling Matt. Do you remember him? He was my favorite part of Fraggle Rock (yes, I'm old). Traveling Matt was exploring "outer space" which was really him being baffled by the human world. It is a delightful observation on how odd life can look from a different perspective.
The second major factor in a successful resolution is the practice of assessment. Not for the purpose of reminding yourself that you've failed, but so that you can see where you're at. Assessments are designed for resetting, evaluation and restart. Needing to readjust doesn't mean you've failed, it means you're responsibly managing your course. Checking in periodically is holding yourself accountable, keeping your resolution in the forefront of your mind and part of the learning experience.
Since my goal this year was to write a blog every week, I'd say I'm doing pretty well. I've only got a few weeks left to complete this resolution and I am well on track. They haven't all been the best thing I've ever written, but they have been written. I'd be on a much different path if I did everything perfectly. I'm not saying I didn't want to strive for excellence but my priority was balance. I set a reasonable goal, managed expectations and didn't swing to any extremes to accomplish it. I know that's a lot of productivity buzz words. The result was a year of growth and learning.
Ultimately, you must ask yourself what the goal of a resolution is. Resolutions are about enacting change. For some, it's a response to lack. Lack of happiness, direction or fulfillment. For some, it's a response to excess. For me, it's a call to growth. To step outside of my comfort zone and embark on an adventure. To break out of the ruts, routines and mundanities of life. To seek the wonder and awe that God has surrounded us with. A call to see life anew.
While I was thinking about the near completion of my resolution, and how I sometimes get mired down in the familiar and mundane, it reminded me of Uncle Traveling Matt. Do you remember him? He was my favorite part of Fraggle Rock (yes, I'm old). Traveling Matt was exploring "outer space" which was really him being baffled by the human world. It is a delightful observation on how odd life can look from a different perspective.
So as you think about what your new years resolution might be, I would encourage you to be sure it stretches you to look at your mundane and be amazed, to put the "awe" back into awesome and to redefine your normal. It's not merely about changing your life. It's about renewal and balance.
I'm still thinking about what next years resolution will be. Join me over the remaining weeks of 2018 as I explore that question. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject and if you would like to share your resolution, I'll be praying with you as we head into 2019.
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