Goals

It's a new year. Time for setting goals. Notice I did not say resolutions. There's a big difference between the two, in my mind. Resolutions infer immediate change. Goals imply growth over a period of time. Resolutions are hard to keep because I have to change now! I can get behind the idea of a goal for the year. Over the next 12 months I want to get closer to a target. I can do that. Slow and steady progress.

So my question is, what are your goals for the year? Secondly, what is your plan for achieving them? If you don't have a plan, you're more likely to fail.

Some of you might be thinking, "I've done this every year and I'm out by mid-January. Why even bother?" So my question to you is, what is keeping you from seeing it through? Are you feeling pressure from an outside source to do something you really don't want to do? Do you feel like you need to do something so you can measure up? Is there an emotional hang-up that's keeping you from following through? When it comes to eating healthy, are you an emotional eater? Do you deal with lack of motivation or depression because you have some unforgiveness or guilt in your life? Maybe this is the year to deal with those issues. Take some time to do some soul searching. Get with God and ask Him to reveal things to you that need to be dealt with. If necessary, get help to overcome the issues.

Living a healthy lifestyle requires good mental, emotional and physical habits. Developing those habits takes time. After all, it's taken you this long to get where you are. It's going to take some time to turn the boat around. It's not about making resolutions, it's about setting goals.

What are my goals? Get healthy, hence the new shoes. I've spent the last two years concentrating on getting emotionally and spiritually healthy. Now it's time to get serious about adding physical health. I had my first session with a personal trainer yesterday. I've done this before and given up. But this time feels different. I know I have to change my life. I'm ready. I know it will be hard. There will be times when I don't want to do it. That's why I need Mark, my trainer. I have specific benchmarks I'm working toward and someone who can guide me or kick me in the butt when I'm slacking. That's what I need.

What do you need?