Some Advice For New Years Resolutions

 

It’s that time of year again: that time when everyone vows to save money, head to the gym seven times a week, cut out this or that from their diet, blah, blah, blah. New Year’s resolutions are a good thing, don’t get me wrong, but so many people make grand, life-changing resolutions that they just don’t have a chance of keeping for a few weeks, let alone the entire year! That being said, I typically make a few resolutions for myself each New Year, but I’ve learned a few things over the years that might be helpful to you as you make your resolutions this year. Take them with a grain of salt, they might not work or apply to you, but they may help!

First of all, you have to make sure your resolutions are realistic and attainable. Saying you’re gonna start going to the gym seven days a week just isn’t gonna happen. Start by going to the gym 3 times a week and go from there. That goal is much more attainable no matter what your workout history is like. Then, if you meet that resolution and stick with it, bump it up the next year. But start small and make sure you can achieve your goals. Otherwise, you’ll just end up disappointed in yourself and feeling like you can’t do anything! Start small and build up, that’s the best way to make sure you follow through!

Next, make sure that your resolutions bring glory to God. I know, I know, that might seem strange, but as believers, our entire lives should be about bringing God glory and advancing His kingdom here on earth. That should also extend to our New Year’s resolutions as well! We should make resolutions that better ourselves, but also ones that keep God at the center of our focus throughout the year. Resolve to read the Bible more, to spend more time in prayer, to volunteer or give more, etc. Do things and make goals to make Jesus big in your life and community!

Finally, share your resolutions with people and give them the power to keep you accountable throughout the year. If you make resolutions and try to keep them all by yourself without having a team around you, chances are you’re gonna fail. However, when you include people who can root for you and keep you accountable, your chances of achieving your goals go way up! It’s the same with the church. We were designed to do everything in community (even God Himself exists in the community of the Trinity), so resolutions shouldn’t be any different. So, once you make your resolutions, get some trustworthy people around you to hold you accountable, and encourage each other throughout the year so that you both achieve your goals!

No matter your resolutions this New Year, I hope you have a great year and I hope that God blesses you greatly. Just remember, as you make your resolutions, to keep them attainable/reasonable, keep them centered on bringing God glory, and share them with others around you so that you are held accountable. Maybe with these tips, you can achieve all your goals and keep all your resolutions this year. God bless!