Goals for 2011

There's just something special about every January. With each New Year, we find ourselves wanting to do better, to improve at least some area of our life. Every year, I create lofty resolutions. And every year, by the time February rolls around, I've either forgotten those promises to myself or I've sunk deep into utter despair at the thought of completing even one. This year, I've finally realized why. I reach TOO high, I NEVER come up with a plan, and I LACK accountability! Hopefully, this blog will help me change all that!

This year is different. First of all, I'm going to take my time deciding what changes I really need to make in my life. I'm already spending time in prayer, asking God what areas He thinks I need to change. I've actually been doing that for a couple of months now, and I think I have some idea of the direction He wants me to go. So, in light of these thoughts, this year I'm making goals, not resolutions. And for goals, you've got to have plans.

First of all, I've got to get myself together...more organized-like. I've spent the last few years walking around in a fog, just waiting for things to happen. That's not like me, and I'm not going to do it anymore. So, I have three areas in mind that I need to work on: my relationship with God, housekeeping (along with everything that goes along with that), and organizing my time so that I can work on building relationships with others.

I'll be sharing my plans for each of these areas in this blog, so that you, dear reader, can join me on my journey. But please be patient and understanding, because I've never done anything like this since the time my parents read my diary when I was thirteen. (That was embarrassing and it's a story for another time...)

I've been reading other blogs, and I've noticed that some writers are encouraging their readers to take on a de-cluttering challenge. Like, for example, get rid of 750 items out of your house this year. That would be about 2 items per day, allowing you to miss a few days. I've decided to personalize that challenge because de-cluttering the house is one of my big goals. The first step in my plan for de-cluttering is that I will remove 365 pieces of clothing from my house this year. That should be easy...one piece per day, and since there are 6 people in our family, that will work out to about 60 pieces per person. That's a do-able item to start on my housekeeping goal , I think!

To begin working on my spiritual goal, I'm going to look for a one-year Bible reading plan that I like and start working on reading through my Bible in one year. I really believe that the Word of God is powerful and I think that's the best place to start. I would also like to challenge myself to read one spiritually encouraging book per month.

Finally, in my third category...improving my relationships with others....I am going to start keeping a detailed calendar, so that I always know what's going on. It seems like lately, I can't keep track of what is going on, so I'm constantly trying to catch up with my schedule. Not anymore! I bought a nice calendar to use, and I'm also going to put together a organizational notebook. More on that later!

Thanks for reading, and I pray that I can be a source of encouragement to you!

~Chrissy~