Loose The New Year's Resolutions and Pick One Word!
First, let me start by saying Happy New Year! I am so excited about this year and all of the possibilities that come along with it. This year has already gotten off to a great start and I BELIEVE it is going to be a great year.
If you’re like most people, each January you focus on changing a problematic behavior that has plagued you for years and vow to reverse it. In fact, you can probably think of two or three undesirable habits—maybe even four or five.
This begins the litany of imperfections to be perfected commonly known as “New Year’s Resolutions.” All of which
are typically off your radar by February.
Loose the New Year's Resolutions and pick just one word! Choosing one word provides clarity by taking all your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single focus. Just one word that centers on your character and creates a vision for your future. The idea of adopting one word to live by throughout the entire year seems to be a more obtainable goal. Change is possible, but focus is required. You don’t need a gym membership or more will power, a new organizational system or a financial planner to make the changes you desire this year as much as you need clarity and sustained focus over time.
My one word is BELIEVE. I BELIEVE I am who God says I am. I BELIEVE I will accomplish all that I have set out to accomplish this year. I BELIEVE that this year will be the most success year yet for my business, and I BELIEVE my contributions to the word will make an even more significant impact this year.
I invite you to join me and pick one word for the next twelve months. One Word is an experiment designed to move you beyond the cycle that can sometimes come with focusing on changing a problematic behavior. The challenge is simple: lose the long list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick ONE WORD.
Step 1: DETERMINE THE KIND OF PERSON YOU WANT TO BECOME
The first step is to simply take some time and decide what kind of person you want to be at the end of this year. This goes beyond simply being healthier and wealthier, but it must drive deep into your soul. What about the condition of your heart? What about the person that God Himself has created you to be?
Step 2: IDENTIFY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THAT PERSON
Get a picture of that person and then simply identify their major characteristics. Is that person gentle? Is that person generous? What are the qualities of the person you want to become?
Step 3: PICK A WORD
Once you have a list of the characteristics, simply pick a word. There might be fifteen things that you want to change, but you must resist the temptation to promise you will do them all. Instead, simply commit to ONE WORD.
This will provide you with a lens to see the changes you need to make as well as a way to determine whether or not change is actually happening. Understand that this
process is hard, but staying focused on your word will help you to struggle in the right direction so that you can actually see God working in your life.
HELP ALONG THE WAY
Before you embark on this journey, a little word of warning: Don’t be surprised if living out your “one word” feels unnatural and awkward at first. Remember, the reason you want to change is due to the fact that this godly characteristic is not currently present in your day-to-day life.
Give it time and stay with it.
What is your one word for 2017?
