A New Year’s Plan, That Will Result in Real Change.

New Year’s Resolutions. I once felt these were the three most over-rated words in the English language. You know, the goals, often the same year after year, made half-heartedly and destined to fail. I stopped making them. But this year I have a New Year’s Plan, not Resolution that will result in real change.

I am going to transform my mindset.

I realized that it was in dire need of change over our Christmas vacation. Not as a result, at least initially, of deep analytical thought.

Nope. The idea was triggered by dogs!

Optimistically Persistent

The first step in my New Year’s Plan for change is transforming my mind-set from pessimistic to optimistically persistent.

My husband and I are looking after Ricoh and Hyde for a few days. Not only are they the two best dogs (in our humble opinions) but they are unashamedly optimistic. With head-spinning speed, they dash to the kitchen when the fridge door or cabinets open.

Every single time.

They sit tails wagging convinced that food will be showered on them at any moment.

Does it? Not every time. If it did, they would not be able to amble to the kitchen, let alone run. 😊

And yet they wait expectantly. When their expectations are not met, they do not give up. Or whine.

They return to what they were doing. But the next time a promising sound comes from the kitchen back they come.

They persist.

Which made me wonder. Does my underlying pessimism about my ability to meet my New Year’s goals cause me to give up too soon?

Yes!

Setting Goals, as Needed, that I (and you) Can Be Optimistic About

So, when I identify an area that I want to change this year I will set a goal.

It will be attainable. I will be able to reach the goal by using resources that I have access to.

This will allow me to be optimistic about being successful.

And when I am not successful, I will not give up as I have before. Maybe you have too. A slip off the healthy eating path or missed sessions at the gym caused me to mark the goal as unmet.

But how about doing what God has for me? That can get difficult at times.

It is tempting to give up. Maybe you have found this too.

This verse tells us we are not alone in the struggle. Endurance or persistence is required. And it promises a reward at the end:

”For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.”

Hebrews 10:36 Amplified Bible (AMP)

A huge encouragement!

Optimistically persistent; the first mindset adjustment in my New Year’s Plan, not Resolution that will result in real change.

Losing the Fear That There is Not Enough

Ricoh and Hyde’s behavior shows that they expect that there will be enough food to go around. While they eat their food quickly, they do not hesitate to ask for and expect more.

I have been hesitant to throw myself into meeting New Year’s resolutions in the past because I have been afraid that there is not enough.

Perhaps enough time, or financial resources, or even talent (on my part).

This year I am going to do my part in optimizing what I have.

Organizing is challenging for me, so I am taking a free online course.

I will continue to budget and refine the skills I need to complete new assignments.

I have seen the evidence, many times, in my life of God providing what I need.

But, sometimes, I forget. This is a good reminder:

” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

”2 Corinthians 9:8 New Living Translation (NLT)

Losing the fear that there will not be enough is the second part of my New Year’s Plan Not Resolution that will result in real change.

Take time to Rest

Our two visiting dogs play hard, but when they are tired, they rest. I am amazed at how quickly they make the transition.

Resting does not come easily to me. Maybe you find that as well.

Sometimes I get so involved in my to-do list or projects I do not want to stop.

As I work increasingly harder, I get tired. And, ironically, I may become anxious because I am not progressing quickly enough. Instead of being happy that progress is being made.

When I step back and rest, I see benefits.

I am recharged physically. I can hear God more easily and remember that He is the one in charge. Which recharges me spiritually.

This verse explains what happens:

” Surrender your anxiety!
Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God.
I am the God above all the nations,
and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.”

Psalm 46:10 The Passion Translation (TPT)

So, I will change my mindset from achieving constantly to working toward goals with rest periods woven into the process.

Taking time to rest is the third step in my New Year’s Plan, not Resolution that will result in real change.

Well, I am starting my plan today. I hope that this has helped you. Let’s check back in a year and see how it worked.