New Year's Resolutions

I know many don't like to make new year resolutions. I mean, why bother, knowing they will probably be broken within a week or two. I'm probably a little anal about this area of my life, but I think goals are critical to improvement and moving forward. I've done them for years, and look at me now...... oohhh, not a very convincing case..... Let's try another approach.

I always set goals, (not necessarily resolutions). You have all year to reach your goal, but can feel like you failed whenever you make a resolution to change something, and revert back to an old habit. Try making a goal that you have time to achieve, and then what you might have wanted to accomplish through a resolution may just happen while trying to reach your goal.

For instance, one of my goals this year is to read the bible through, as well as an additional 24 books. Now to do this, I'm probably going to need to reduce the amount of time I spend watching television...... I could have made a resolution that I was going to cut back on my television and be more productive with my time. However, by focusing on the long term goal of reading, as a by product, I will need to naturally reduce my television time. It's so much better to focus on the success of reaching my reading goal rather than constantly fighting with myself over how much time I want television.... did that make any sense.

So, I challenge you to set a goal for the year, not a resolution. Pick an area -- physically, spiritually, mentally, socially -- just get started. Then tell somebody, so you're accountable. Like I just did to the thousands reading this..... okay to both of you reading this blog. You are welcome to ask me how I'm doing with my reading this year. That will keep me going.

Happy 2009! Let's enjoy it together.