“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of everyone that is hasty only to want.”
Proverbs 21:5
While, I was thinking about what topic I wanted to share with you, I reread my last post, “How Do You View the Woman in the Mirror?” I had discussed that we mammas need to care for ourselves as well as our households and families.
As we approach the end of the year and reflect on it, we do often think about our own self care and personal development (or lack thereof). And these thoughts often guilt us into making the infamous, “New Year’s Resolutions.” We make resolutions to lose weight, exercise, change our diet, finish a project, start a project, take a course …etc.
But honestly, that’s not what I think us mommas need. We don’t need vague, lofty resolutions motivated by guilt, made in haste added to our lives. We all know that most resolutions are short lived and many never get out of the starting box. It’s a set up for failure. It’s a set up for leaving us in want. That’s not what that poor woman in the mirror needs.
But you might say, “My resolutions are all for good things, like reading my Bible more, or learning to sew or being more hospitable.” Yes, I agree those are all good things to want to achieve but making guilt fed resolutions is not the way to go about getting the results (plenteousness) you desire. Instead, I suggest make purpose driven goals.
Goals are objectives that we want to accomplish and should be made through out the year. Goal setting can be a step you take into living the godly life we want to have. Think about the things you want to accomplish, things you want to be. If you need some ideas read about the Proverbs 31 woman. Pray for the Lord’s direction. Write your goals down and then figure out what steps are needed to get you there. Goals can translate into daily activities that make a purposeful, accomplished life. They give direction and structure.
Writing down your goals is important. I just watched a webinar this week by Michael Hyatt (he is an author and a successful entrepreneur). And he said, that you are 42% more likely to achieve a goal if it is written down.
Your goals should be specific and not vague or too broad like New Year’s Resolutions often are. Instead of the goal, “Get Healthy”, set your goal for walking 30 minutes a day for four days a week. Figure out what steps you need to take to get to your goal. Maybe for the walking goal you need new sneakers or you need to figure out what to do with your kids while you walk (maybe take them with you).
Also, make sure you have your goals readily available to review often. You know the saying, “out of sight, out of mind”. I have my goals written in my planner that I look at every day.
Today is the fifteenth of December. It is not the beginning of the new year but it is a day the Lord has made. Use it diligently and wisely. Set some goals today and start taking the steps to meet them.
Jennifer Hanley is a Christian stay at home wife to Brian and a mom. She has 3 daughters ages, 15, 20, and 25. She lives in NJ and currently has started a blog of her own at www.bloominginthetwilight.com