Back in the Game!

Hello all, I'm back! I took quite an extended break from posting over Christmas, and now am returning with vim and vigor, ready to post for the new year! To get started, let me ask you a question: what is so special about January 1st that we feel like we can make HUGE life-changing decisions that we've otherwise failed at in the past? The truth is, there is nothing special about it which is why so many of us fail.

I'm not bashing new years resolutions, but I'm suggesting that if you really want to make some changes, try some of the following tips to make sure they stick:

1. Write down your goals. If you just say, "I want to lose weight" or "I'm going to read my Bible more often", you're going to have a tough time. Write down what you want and make the goal quantifiable. Decide how much you want to weigh, and by what date.



2. Make a plan. Once you know where you are going, decide how you will get there. Don't just give yourself a longterm goal, but also create some shortterm goals that will keep you motivated and give you early successes. Most of the battle of creating new habits is right between your ears.



3. Get a partner. Find someone with similar plans and conspire to keep each other on track. It's a lot easier to stay focused when you are exercising with someone, eating healthy together, comparing results, sharing Bible reading schedules, etc.



4. Reward yourself. Establish small rewards that you can look forward to for each of your shortterm goals, and a larger reward if you have a final goal (if you are establishing an ongoing habit, reward yourself at intervals throughout the year, and at the end of the year if you've stuck to it).

Don't let 2008 be another year that you tried and failed. Purpose to make this year count!