New Years is a funny time of year. One day we are looking back and reflecting about what we accomplished, what we did not and then with one minute different it is a new day. January 1 brings hope for the next year, it is a yearly do over, a change to do things differently.
I feel it. It is a beginning. We are optimistic people looking forward to what could be. Over at Simple Mom she has a list of questions you can use to look back on 2008 that will help you set goals for 2009.
Looking back I met several of my goals this year. I started not just one but two blogs, I made major inroads in becoming more financially healthy, I put roots down at church, joined a bible study and volunteered. Our pastor talked about being specific with our prayers and I believe this to be true. How can you move toward a fuzzy target?
Several of my friends have talked about choosing one word to capture the next year and using that to filter your choices. I started thinking about what mine would be. I think Create might capture the goals I have for this year. My biggest goal might be to own a home or a small condo. I want to learn to Twitter and have a few personal creative goals. It is good to sit with them for a few days and ask the following questions?
1. Do they fit with my overall life goals and purpose?
2. Will I be better off if I meet them?
3. Are they attainable? Can I break them into bit size measures over the year?
4. What is the one first step I can take?
5. How will I measure success?
While it is good to have the big God size dreams, it is also helpful to make them doable. Celebrate the bite size goals that get you to the big one.
A few months ago I spent time developing a personal mission statement. I’ll write more about that this week and give you some tips on how to start. Mine is “To live a creative life, communicate truth and inspire others to live in freedom”. So the word create fits into the calling I believe God has given me. What will your word be?
