As of today, we have just over three weeks left in 2011….I’m pausing…for.dramatic.effect…Since I’m a person that makes goals each year, I periodically check-in with myself to determine if I’m actually making progress with my goals….I’m proud to say that I’m still budgeting and saving as I was taught by my financial coach a couple of years ago. (Read my post “Use What You Got To Get What You Want…aka Side Hustlers Unite!!! for more info on my financial journey…) And I’m well on my way to reaching my financial goals….
Another one of my goals was to eat more veggies…I know this doesn’t seem like too much of a big deal…but after meeting with a nutritionist earlier in the year, I realize that many of us, including me, have neglected all of the many healing nutrients that God provides for us in our vegetables…When was the last time you ate beets, parsnips or even broccoli (that is not covered in cheese..)? As is stated in the Bible, we are perishing for our lack of knowledge…(Hosea 4:6) I’m proud to say I have changed my diet a lot…It’s not perfect every day, but I’m making progress and have eliminated many toxins from my diet…By the way, I was not changing my diet to lose weight…You can be skinny and eating processed foods all of the time…I’m aiming for health and wellness…
Another one of my goals was to have my blog redesigned…And as you can see, Tess Gadwa of Yes Exactly hooked.me.up. I LOVE IT…and I hope you do too…
Of course, I have other goals that I have reached for this year…but I cannot share here…have you reached your goals for 2011…what are you thinking of as this year is coming to a close?…My final thought is God is good all the time…All the time God is good…
Any thoughts?
P.S. And if your year has been difficult for whatever reason, I hope this song will lift your spirit…”Brighter Day” (“this for them rough days when you feel like giving up days”) by Kirk Franklin…
From “Occupy Wall Street” to the divorces of friends, 2011 has shaped up to be a year of change – and not necessarily good change for a lot of our fellow travelers on this earth…Having experienced some tough times in my own life, I’ve learned to consult the Word of God to inspire me and give me the courage to face my life daily when it seems easier to keep the covers over my head and sleep all my troubles away…
1. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 This verse is my absolute favorite verse in the entire Bible because in this verse God promises that He is working together all of my circumstances (good or bad) for my good. The only caveat is that we must love Him first…
2. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. ” Proverbs 3:5-6. It is so tempting to try and figure out why certain things have happened to us, but I have learned in some situations that it is pointless to endlessly ruminate. Instead, it is more powerful and ultimately sane to trust that we are walking on an God-ordained path, a path that only He knows where it will lead…
3. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 I remember when someone first told me that I should give thanks to God for all things – even bad things…I was like, “Yeah right. I should give thanks to God for being fired from my job, not being able to pay my mortgage and not having enough money to fix my car.” But I did what I was advised to do, and it really helped me. When we give thanks to God for all of circumstances, we acknowledge His sovereignty. And God has shown me over and over again that He is more than able to work it all out…
4. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 I have learned that God is always with me so I don’t have to succumb to terror and discouragement! Instead, I can focus on the strength and courage that God will give to me if I only ask…
5. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.” Psalm 23:6 This is God’s promise that goodness and mercy will permeate all the days of our lives – no matter what it looks like now…
6. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 Sometimes, just some cold, hard cash would go a long way in solving our problems. I have discovered that the Lord will provide for all of our needs – even financial – when it is needed. I remember a time when I was in between jobs, and a close friend paid my mortgage that month!
7. “…Weeping may endure for a night. But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5. There is no doubt about it. No one is immune from tough times. But tough times don’t last forever! Joy will come in the morning!
I hope these verses inspire you to be resilient as they have inspired me! The Bible is filled with Good News if we would only crack it open…Also, sometimes God speaks through other good books…Check out “Where Will You Go From Here? Moving Forward When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned,” by certified personal and executive coach Valorie Burton. (Incidentally, I interviewed her for my book.)
Also, please also take a look on my new interview series “Resilience & the Bible” which includes:
My favorite gospel song that inspires resilience…”This Battle is Not Yours” by Yolanda Adams…I got to meet her someday and thank her personally for this song because it has me blessed me sooo much over the years…
Guess what? Today is the first day of the first week complete in June…At this point, you are probably like, yeah and…Well y’all, it means that, believe it or not, 2011 is halfway over! So if at this point, you realized that some of your New Year’s resolutions and or goals have gotten lost in the shuffle of life, it time’s to renew your commitment to realizing your resolutions and or goals for 2011.
Thankfully, I have completed one big goal for 2011, but I still have plenty more that I’m trying to accomplish before the year is over. And I know, through Christ, all things are possible! So move, get out my way, because I’m coming…
If you are experiencing some inertia as you contemplate your resolutions and or goals for this year, I have swiped some helpful tips for achieving them from Dr. Phil’s website!
Seven Steps to Reaching Your Goals
Successfully executing any personal strategic plan for change requires that as you develop your plan,you effectively incorporate these seven steps for attaining each and every goal.
1. Express your goal in terms of specific events or behaviors. For a dream to become a goal, it has to be specifically defined in terms of operations, meaning what will be done. When a goal is broken down into steps, it can be managed and pursued much more directly. “Being happy,” for example, is neither an event nor a behavior. When you set out to identify a goal, define what you want in clear and specific terms.
2. Express your goal in terms that can be measured. How else will you be able to determine your level of progress, or even know when you have successfully arrived where you wanted to be? For instance, how much money do you aspire to make?
3. Assign a timeline to your goal.
Once you have determined precisely what it is you want, you must decide on a timeframe for having it. The deadline you’ve created fosters a sense of urgency or purpose, which in turn will serve as an important motivator, and prevent inertia or procrastination.
4. Choose a goal you can control.
Unlike dreams, which allow you to fantasize about events over which you have no control, goals have to do with aspects of your existence that you control and can therefore manipulate. In identifying your goal, strive for what you can create, not for what you can’t.
5. Plan and program a strategy that will get you to your goal.
Pursuing a goal seriously requires that you realistically assess the obstacles and resources involved, and that you create a strategy for navigating that reality. Willpower is unreliable, fickle fuel because it is based on your emotions. Your environment, your schedule and your accountability must be programmed in such a way that all three support you — long after an emotional high is gone. Life is full of temptations and opportunities to fail. Those temptations and opportunities compete with your more constructive and task-oriented behavior. Without programming, you will find it much harder to stay the course.
6. Define your goal in terms of steps.
Major life changes don’t just happen; they happen one step at a time. Steady progress, through well-chosen, realistic, interval steps, produces results in the end. Know what those steps are before you set out.
7. Create accountability for your progress toward your goal.
Without accountability, people are apt to con themselves. If you know precisely what you want, when you want it — and there are real consequences for not doing the assigned work — you are much more likely to continue in your pursuit of your goal. Find someone in your circle of family or friends to whom you can be accountable. Make periodic reports on your progress.
Any thoughts?
P.S. Tonex’s “Make Me Over” is a great song to listen to as you contemplate moving forward with the second half of 2011. Enjoy!
