TheWRITEaddiction.com

It’s the time of year when we give ourselves a grade on the previous year’s accomplishments and begin our list of resolutions for the new year.  Typically, we stay on the band wagon working towards our goals for about 3 months and then somewhere around the spring we get discouraged or give up.  If you’ve been caught in this cycle for the last few years, it’s time for you to plan your comeback!  Below are a few steps that will help guide you through having a successful year so you don’t get the typical “no results year” you’ve had before.

Getting new results takes a new mindset.  You can’t change your life without changing your habits and the way you view life.

1. Think about your life and get a vision for what you want. Be specific.  Pay attention to the details.  For example, I want to pay off my debt and increase my financial earnings.
2. Don’t limit your vision or goals based on what you think YOU can achieve. Always remember the GOD factor—which is your source of strength and help!  Think big!
3. Write your vision. This forces you to take time and organize your thoughts into something visual.  Place your written vision in a place where you will see it frequently (in your phone, on your dresser, on the refrigerator, etc.).  You may want to add pictures to your vision to help you SEE what you’ve written.  For example: find a picture or draw one of your credit card statement saying ‘PAID IN FULL’!
4. Map out a plan for how you will accomplish your vision. You may not have all the answers right now, but organize your vision into smaller steps/goals.  For example: To reduce my debt, in January, I will take my lunch to work, cut out my hair stylist appointments to free up $200 towards paying down credit card debt.  In February, I will continue to bring my lunch to work, cut out hair stylist appointments and random shopping and free up $350 towards paying down credit card debt.
5. Expect God to give you wisdom and creative ideas along the way. As you walk out your vision with diligence and consistency, God will bless you with favor, wisdom, strength, creativity, etc.  Pray and meditate on scriptures to hear what the Lord is telling you.  Before you know it, you’ll be able to accomplish much more than you dreamed you could.  For example: you may decide to call the credit card company and ask them for a lower rate or to cancel a portion of your debt.  You would be surprised at what you miss out on because you do not ask.
6. Get an accountability partner. This may be your spouse, friend, mother, sister, etc.  This person will help you stay on track and follow your progress.  He/She should be someone who is encouraging but can also be objective and tell you the truth.
7. Evaluate your progress along the way. You may decide to assess your progress every quarter or even every month.  You may need to make adjustments, add new goals, revamp goals, get help or resources, etc.  Make note of your accomplishments and celebrate your victories.  This will ward off discouragement and defeat.  For example: if you saved $200 in January and paid it on your credit card, celebrate.
8. Find a mentor or someone who has accomplished what you are looking to accomplish. Ask them for help if possible or read stories of how they accomplished what they did.  Your story may not unfold exactly how theirs did, but you have a pattern and a working model to keep you on track.
9. Be consistent. Keep plugging away at your goals keeping the vision (end result) in mind.  Don’t compare yourself to others.  Stay focused on your vision and run your race.  For example: if in February you are only able to save $250 instead of the $350 you thought you could, celebrate the $250 and keep working towards being able to do more.
10. Limit contact with those who are not for you. You don’t have to justify your actions to anyone.  Just follow the path God placed you on.  Your inner circle may get smaller, but that’s okay.  Surround yourself with those who are going in the direction you are going.

If you put these steps into practice, pray often and follow God’s instructions, you cannot lose!  You will have a successful 2016 and a comeback.  You can do this!

*For a great introspective resource on achieving your best in life, order God’s Masterpiece: Weaving Together the Pieces of Your Life at www.redemption-press.com. 

~Coletta Jones Patterson