Every year I take part in the age-old custom of resolution creation. Unfortunately, they are almost always the same, which means I did not reach them the year before. This year is different…
It is not different because I have all new resolutions, although there are a few fresh on the list.
2014 will be different thanks to my resolve to forgive myself for imperfection.
I have always seen things black or white. All or Nothing. If I set a goal to lose 50 pounds and lost 49, I failed. The goal was not reached. This year, I will be thankful for any steps towards my goals. There will be huge, acceptable gray areas.
I will allow for interruptions, new roads opening before me, and life to happen…
Professor Daniel Wallace’s description in his article “Should a Christian Set Goals” helped me change my rigid former way of looking at resolutions:
“Setting goals is serious business. We ought not to be so anxious about life that we make rigid plans which are beyond our capacity to keep, nor should we be so lazy as to make no plans at all. Rather, with all humility, let us submit our plans to the Lord, and work for his glory.”
His Glory…
Too many of my years were trapped in addiction, all about living to excess. Too much food, alcohol, drugs, self-absorption…
All of my resolutions this year are areas I feel led to improve for reasons bigger than myself. 2014 is my year for giving back and showing God how thankful I am for the life He has surrounded me with.
I want to get healthy so I can have the energy to take care of my family and function at my full capacity to be all I am meant to be. My dream of writing a book is not to see my name on the cover, but to help others through their struggles in those areas I know far too well.
Here is my plan, with the intention of always allowing for God to intercede…
Spiritual Growth
- Become a morning person. It has always been my dream to get up early and spend those quiet early morning hours alone with God. This will also be the perfect time to read through the entire Bible, which I have never done.
- Continue online bible studies with Proverbs 31 Ministries. I have learned so much through the books we have read and the amazing women I have met. I’m looking forward to the upcoming Made to Crave study this month, which will help me with my food issues and spiritual well-being.
Family
- Create office hours for blogging and social media. I spend way too much time on my laptop sitting next to my family. They will have much more of my undivided attention this year.
- Weekly dates with my husband. This doesn’t mean we will go out alone every week, but we can at least watch a movie together after the kids go to bed. The point is to have intentional time alone.
Health
- Move everyday. This can be walking on my treadmill, intense cleaning, a workout video, or anything else qualifying as exercise.
- NO MORE SUGAR! If you were with me in my 31 Days to Food Addiction Recovery series, you know the many reasons I need to cut this nutrient-deprived substance from my diet. I’m now 2 days sugar-free and counting…
Writing
- Continue my blog posting schedule of at least 2 per week, 1 creation and 1 life story. Work on reaching more readers who need my story through social media, consistent posting, and a weekly newsletter.
- Write at least a chapter a month for a book to share my past struggles. I really want to help other addicts to find the healing power of Christ. This will be a longterm goal spanning the next 2 years.
There are so many more resolutions I wanted to make, but I am going to focus on 2 per category for now.
Praying you all have an amazing 2014!!
Sounds like a great list, Candace! Some of my goals for this year are quite similar to yours. I know we both can do whatever God puts on our hearts to do. :O)
We definitely can, LuAnn! We will support each other too :)!
I am working on some goals for the year…you’re way ahead of me. LOL my goal is to set some goals.
This post was where I first listed them all. I had some ideas in my head, but putting them in writing has sealed them. Just sit down and start writing. The right ones will spill out! Let me know if you post them :)!
I have a terrible habit of not recognizing my accomplishments and only focusing on things i have failed on. I’ve come a long way in this regard. Though we can always be better remember to give yourself the recognition you deserve when you’ve accomplished anything even if you are still striving toward goal.
Good luck with that morning person thing….that will never be me lol
and much success on completing your book that is an awesome goal to strive towards!
Thanks Veronica! The book is a lofty goal but it has been a dream forever. I’m not sure I am going to be able to transform into a morning person, but I’m giving it a shot. Today was my first early rising, which was at 7am. I was dying and I know that is late for most people…
I love your focus on two per category and great categories too! While I choose one word for the year, I think I do need to think through my goals for the year more. I’m so easily distracted (oh this social media world) and feel I need a better plan for the year.
Btw…Made to Crave is a wonderful book!
Wishing you all the best for the New Year!
Blessings,
Beth
I have read the book and loved it! I’m looking forward to re-reading it. I am so distracted as well. I feel your pain. There are so many things I want to accomplish. I knew I had to zero in on certain areas. Blessings to you, Beth!
Candace, I’m stopping by from Faith-Filled Friday today. Loved your list. You must be in the same “gap group” for the P31 OBS that I am in because I read that article for homework this week. 🙂
Thanks for visiting, Lyli! Yes, I am in the gap study. I love all of the P31 online studies. I started with Yes to God and have been addicted ever since :).
Candace, I love your goals! And I love how you are recognizing that even if you do not meet the goal, you should see what you have accomplished. I have struggled with this myself. Always being a perfectionist, I suppose. But I too am learning to not focus so much in the goal not being met, but rather what I have learned, how I have grown or how much I did accomplish. It’s still a struggle at times for me.
We recovering perfectionists have to stick together, Veronica ;)! It will always be a struggle for me too, my friend. I love what you said about focusing on what you have learned and how you grew from the situation. What a smart and positive way to live!
Love what you said about giving yourself grace and knowing that you won’t be perfect. You are right, it’s so easy to quit once we fail once instead of keeping on going. I’m working on my goals now and really enjoyed reading yours.
Perfectionism is something I have fought throughout my life. I’m really working on moving away from it in 2014. Good luck on writing your goals, Deanna! Thanks so much for visiting!
Thank you for this post Candace – Love how you broke down specific areas for your goals – less intimidating as you look at each category! Blessings as you walk through this year with Jesus as your Guide…May He bless all that you have placed before Him and direct your paths as you strive to accomplish your goals throughout this year! ~ Dianna
Thank you for your sweet comment, Dianna! It is definitely easier to swallow when broken into categories. I have to be really specific in order to stay on task, so I am feeling pretty focused right now. I hope it continues :)…
I love this post! I made goals by categories this year too–and I need to stop working next to my family with the laptop too!
I think that has been my hardest to stick to so far. It is such a habit to sit and work while we are hanging out watching tv. I’m hoping to do better once everyone goes back to school and work. I am much more scheduled then. I will definitely be over to check out your goals!
Thank you so much for your transparency and sharing your life with us. May God continue to lead and guide you in 2014 and beyond.
Thanks Jennifer! I am feeling very excited about the New Year. Setting these goals really helped. I hope you have a wonderful 2014!
Hey Candy cane, much love and blessings to you in 2014. One of the strongest women I have met as a blogger. May God bless you with an abundance of strength.
Wow! That is an awesome compliment, Camii. Thank you! I have many days where I feel so incredibly weak. Praying for strength and blessings for you as well!
Great stuff, Candace – thanks so much for sharing!
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer! So glad you enjoyed it. I’m great at setting goals. It’s the follow through I struggle with :).
Candace you have some wonderful and very worthwhile goals. I admire your ability to sit down and get it all thought out. I have bite-sized goals for myself but they all focus around: 1 – Time with God, 2 – Weight/Fitness, 3 – Writing,
4 – Finances, 5 – Clutter, 6 – Fun well spent, 7 – Time management
I look forward to seeing how God works with your life story. 🙂
It was hard to leave out certain areas, especially finances and clutter. I have so many goals in both those categories, but I was afraid of getting overwhelmed. Writing them out has been incredibly motivating. Thanks so much for visiting, Kelly!
What great goals and thank you for the verse, it’s a great reminder. I’m a big goal setter and sometimes get carried away with the all-or-nothing mentality too. But I’ve been working more on looking at big picture and the things i’ve learned along the way even if I do “fail” at a goal.
(ps. I’m coming here from the social media sunday linkup, glad to have found your blog!)
Thanks for connecting with me Roaen! I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. I’m not great with seeing the big picture. It sounds like you are making some positive changes in your way of thinking! There are always lessons to be learned in every situation.
Thanks Candace. I am hard on myself too. I beat myself up if I didn’t accomplish my goals. I have had an all or nothing attitude most of my life which always results in setting myself up to fail. I like the small goals suggestion. Most important is my relationship with Christ, and to spend more time in prayer for my family.
I love what you said about “setting yourself up to fail”! That is so true when we have all or nothing thinking. I need to spend more time praying for my family also. I think I will share that one with you :)!
Love your post…as always, you hit the nail right on the head (did I say that right? I always get confused with sayings in English : ) I really appreciate the part where you comment on how your previous resolutions had been all about yourself…I totally understand that because I am often victim of selfish actions/thinking. Thanks again for your willingness to share your experience with us and I pray I will continue to see much more of you in the year to come. Soon I will be buying your book! Blessings always.
Blessings to you my sweet friend! Buying my book- that looks so crazy to read, but incredibly hopeful… You got that saying right- nail on the head :). Thanks so much for your encouragement, Gisela!
I really love the idea of creating office hours for blogging and surfing the internet. I think I will work to do that.
I’m not doing too great at that yet. My family has still not all gone back to school and work. I think life should be back to a schedule tomorrow and I’m planning to start then. Good luck to you with it, Debbie!
Candace,
You approach the new year so holistically, touching on each area of your life. You are wise and diligent, and your life experience will serve you (and your readers!) well as you put that book together. Press on, friend.
Thank you for the encouragement, Jennifer! You are truly an inspiration to me. I’m looking forward to your book release. Congratulations on such an incredible accomplishment!