Here we go again. Wow! How did the year go so fast? It seems like we just celebrated the arrival of 2018, and here we are very close to ringing in 2019! If you’re like me, and like many people, the new year is a reminder to set better habits and goals. Losing weight, eating better, exercising more, and being smarter with money, makes most lists. Maybe you hate “New Year’s resolutions,” though setting your mind to some healthier habits seems wise.

I don’t usually make a list of resolutions, although I have at times. At first, I’m determined to accomplish the list but soon it is forgotten or avoided. Wandering aimlessly through my days leaves me feeling so unfinished and empty. “Que sera, sera,” whatever will be will be, feels like an endless cycle.

I have made schedules, set goals and given myself strict guidelines. They usually don’t last long. Failure plagues me in a few weeks. Most often, I set ridiculous time limits and plans which aren’t very attainable. Time schedules for all the things I think I should do or want to do, such as hours or word counts on writing time, scrap-booking, exercising, learning music, cleaning house, or hospice volunteering, look good on paper, but don’t last long.

In the past, I’ve also done the “Word of the year” thing. One year, it was “courage,” and one year it was “strength,” incorporating that theme throughout my activities. Something else I’ve tried, is to memorize a bible verse each month. Compiling a list of “50 goals for my fiftieth year” was also fun, but I didn’t accomplish all of them in a year. These are enjoyable to write up and think about, nevertheless, I end up falling short.

Maybe I should complete one goal at a time, breaking them up into attainable and measurable chunks. As I conquer them, I could give myself rewards in between. Over-scheduling and being rigid never works either. Unexpected things come up and I need to go with the flow of those too. I don’t want to miss the moment when the Holy Spirit wants me to move or step out in some way.

I try not to get involved on my phone in the morning. Following “Bible before phone” makes for a much smoother day. Sitting with God, a prayer walk, bike ride, or meditating on Him with praise music is so difficult sometimes. Why is it so easy to graze on the junk food of scrolling through social media when we could have the delicacies of spending time with the Lord of the universe? I don’t think I’m alone here.

Overall, whatever I accomplish this year, I want to walk closer with the Lord. It’s very important to me to have some sort of daily time with Him. It doesn’t have to look the same every day to be valid. Ultimately, maybe it’s all about setting your mind.

I’d love to hear your ideas on goals and lists. Do you set goals? If so, how, what, etc.? What kind of rewards do you give yourself for meeting them? How do you keep track of your accomplishments? What is your number one aim this year?