By Dr. Rusty Sieck, Executive Pastor of Ministries
It is that time of year again when we see all the possibilities that a New Year can bring and can offer us. Looking back, we see what we were unable to accomplish in 2021 and are filled with great resolve and determination to do things differently this year. We tell ourselves as we enter 2022, this will be the year. For many of us, that means it's time for New Year Resolutions. Unfortunately, on average, 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by the second week of February. Why is this? Good habits, especially ones drastically different from typical lifestyles, are hard to get started and even harder to keep. Research shows that, on average, it takes approximately 66 days for a habit to become automatic.
I believe the number one reason resolutions do not get accomplished and abandoned is because most resolutions are just good ideas, simply mental concepts that we don't plan to implement into our lives. Therefore, they are more of a wish than an action.
Do you have anything that you want to accomplish in 2022? If so, do you have any goals set? Do you have a timeline for the completion of those goals? Do you have anyone that will hold you accountable?
If the answer is no to all the above, then you will be one of the 80% who will have abandoned your resolutions by February. This doesn't have to be the case. If you decide to set a goal in writing, set timelines, and get an accountability partner, you can be successful in 2022. You can finally accomplish anything that you put your mind to. Let's make a promise to one another today that 2022 will be the year that we finally live our lives with purpose and intentionality.
How do we accomplish this?
Set a Goal
Pray about what it is that you need to accomplish in 2022. Don't set a hundred goals either. Pick one to three goals that you will commit to working intentionally toward. Put these goals in writing, and this is important - make them realistic goals. The worst thing we can do in setting goals is to set the bar so high that we know we can never accomplish it.
Here is a simple acronym to help you set written goals for 2022. In helping you set better goals, I will use an example of weight loss to assist you in developing your goals.
G – Goal (Set a Goal)
My goal is not going to be "I want to lose 30 pounds." No, the goal should be "I want to live a life where I have the energy, strength, and healthy daily habits that make me more available for my family, my friends, and my co-workers."
R - Reality (Present Reality)
The reality is my present truth. I am 30 pounds overweight. I do not exercise regularly, and I do not have the mental and physical strength that I desire. My daily diet is not in line with my achieving my goal. Yes, the reality stage is no fun, but we will never take the necessary actions to accomplish our goals unless we are honest in this step.
O - Opportunities (What is available to me to accomplish my goal)
In this stage, you need to make a list of things you can do to reach your goals. You may create a list with more options than you can ever do, but be creative because you will choose what you will do from this list.
Example:
- Exercise 3 to 5 days a week:
Bike, jog, walk, hike, weightlifting, swim, yoga, treadmill - Meal Plan:
Create a weekly meal plan with healthy options
Meal Prep meal in advance - Accountability:
Commit to having a friend, spouse, or co-worker participate in weight loss - Weight Loss program:
register with a weight loss program
use a weight loss app
You get the idea, be creative and make an exhaustive list to give you creative ways to reach your goals.
W – What will I do?
Finally, pick from the list you have just created. Then once you have the list of items, put a timeline to your steps.
If you do these things for every goal you wish to accomplish in 2022, you will be a part of the 20% who finish strong and experience the fulfillment of your goals.
Join me in 2022 in setting goals that change our lives and the lives around us. You can do it! I believe in you. Happy New Year!
