Just Three Things!

At this time of year I think it is important that you have plans for what you will be aiming to achieve for the rest of the year. I know that people make resolutions that they don’t keep and have well intentioned goals that they never achieve meaning that after a while; most people get disillusioned with the process.

 

I was doing a yoga session today from p90x in preparation for my Insanity regime (a DVD exercise programme), that I will start again. The instructor reminded us to leave the past where it was and clear our minds of the future but really enjoy the present moment. Following this theme of looking at the past, present and future I thought you may find the following useful as a guide for 2014.

• First of all, I would like you to review 2013 making a note of what you achieved and while ensuring that you build on this success in 2014, you will also need to consider but not dwell on disappointments that you had and what you think you need to do differently in 2014 if anything at all. In carrying out this review I want you to be mindful of what type of person you need to be/become to achieve the things you want to achieve. Decide what people, situations, habits you will not accept anymore. Is there a relationship that has been draining that you need to end or a habit that you need to break because there is a pattern of disappointment that always results? I would recommend that you create your own personal code of conduct that you can live by every day. A good friend of mine, I believe is one of the foremost authorities on the subject of setting standards for yourself and reading his book, the ‘Ten Second Philosophy’ by Derek Mills would be a good start.

• The second thing that I would like you to do is to work consistently towards achieving your long term goals by doing just a little bit each day, week and month. Rather than try to lose a couple of stones in the month of January just change your lifestyle a little and perhaps lose one pound or two pounds per week. Rather than try and sort all your debts in one go or even worse than that, completely ignoring them by burying your head in the sand, why not write them all down and make a plan of how to clear them all over the next 24 months. If you are not saving, why not start a standing order this month just a small amount that you can afford that will come out before you even notice the difference to your month. A really good book in this area is ‘The Slight Edge’ by Jeff Olson and Chapter 3 of ‘Great by Choice’ Collins and Hansen for the business people out there.

• Finally, potentially the most difficult principle is looking towards the future. This one is difficult because we do not know what the future holds and so many of us are so confused about our life purpose. We must align our purpose with all the dreams and aspirations that we have for ourselves and families. We should have a vision of the future that we aspire to achieve but understand that things don’t work to our plans and there will challenges and changes of direction but this shouldn’t mean that we surrender to drifting aimlessly through life! We must take control/dominion over our lives. I encourage you to consider my overlapping circles: a) determine what you love doing and b) combining that with what you are really good at and c) ensuring that what you decide on has the potential to provide you with finance and resources to support the type of lifestyle that you desire. Rick Warren’s book ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ would really help in this area.

 

In conclusion, I wish you blessings without number and good things without end for 2014. Don’t get bogged down with the past. Enjoy the great memories and move on from the disappointments. Remember always that life is a journey so although we should have a target, something to aim for, we can’t live in the future. So, let’s set standards about how we will live our lives, living each day as my Pastor reminds us it could be the last. Don’t put off that time with your parents or the opportunity to tell your spouse how much you love them in the way that they would appreciate it. Spend some time uninterrupted with your children on a one to one basis, start jogging, book a weekend break away the list goes on… Whatever you need to do