The Year of Completion - Goals and Plans

It's only day 2 of the New Year, but I feel I've already accomplished something monumental, a task I normally procrastinate on, until the last minute - cleaning out the 2012 files and making room for 2013.   It's a done deal! 

I don't know what's come over me, but I like it!

Why does this excite me?  Because it fits in with my "motto" this year:  

The Year of Completion

As people post their resolutions and goals for the new year, I'm simply claiming a word over mine - COMPLETION

Every year I make a list of goals and projects that I hope to accomplish during the upcoming 12 months.   Some I am successful at completing; most I am not. 

This year, I will have a loosely held list of goals and my annual Winter Project List (wait for this in an upcoming post), but instead of writing these things down and then feeling like a failure when I give up, I have one bigger goal that I'm sticking to:  COMPLETE what I start!

So, if I have 10 goals or projects written down, and in our guise of multitasking, I start them all, but don't actually complete anything, then I'm really not doing myself any favors, because only the ones that I complete and finish from top to bottom, will bring about a sense of accomplishment.

I have to admit, I can look around this house, myself, our family, and see MANY projects and goals started, dreamed about, wished for, but not completed.    Can you relate?

Do we get bored?  Did the task become harder than we anticipated?  Are we lazy?  Yes, yes, and yes!
Probably all of the above!

But that's unacceptable!

The only way to truly feel good about the goals you've chosen to take on this year, is to complete them, once you start.   And the only way to do this is to BE PREPARED!

For example: 
If my goal is to lose weight (duh, didn't see that one coming, did ya?) then I can't just write it down and expect it to take place (believe me, I've tried this and it doesn't work!).   No!  I have to have a plan.   I have to make a menu of healthy choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner.   I have to make a grocery list, a commitment to cook, a pledge not to eat sweets, a date with my Wii Fit, etc., etc.   It takes thought and planning, otherwise, I'm just paying "lip" service to my goal.  

Or, let's say I'm tired of looking at unpainted trim in our house (this would be in every single room!). This means that I can't just gripe at my husband, yet continue to not help him.    I need to have a plan!   I can partner with him one night and we can figure out how many cans of paint we need.   I can put "get paint" on my errand list that week, so it will be ready and on hand.   I can pencil in a Saturday where we say "no" to all other invitations and temptations, and actually get to work painting our trim.    That's how it's done!  

The point is - nothing gets done without a plan!    I think this is the failing part of having goals and resolutions.  

 It's really simple to come up with a list, hang it on the bulletin board, walk away and never look back.    The hard part is, actually sitting down with each goal, breaking it into bite sized pieces, and then getting started.

But, it's not impossible!

So, my challenge to you this new year, is to go ahead and make that list, but be realistic when doing so, because each one is going to require a plan.

Maybe instead of quickly jotting down "10 Goals for the New Year" and then failing at most of them due to lack of planning, write down "5 Goals I Will Actually Complete - Top to Bottom".    Then, under each goal, make a 3-4 step PLAN that will get you to completion.

I see "ACCOMPLISHED" written all over that!    

And, if you want to "borrow" my word for the year - COMPLETION - go ahead!   We'll start a club!

But, seriously, whatever you set your mind to this year, do yourself a favor and COMPLETE it.  I think you'll look back on 2013 and call it one of your best years yet!


Here are some scriptures to remind you that God blesses diligence:

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads to poverty."  

Proverbs 14:23

"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."  

Proverbs 13:4