The transition between one year to the other is a bit tricky for many. It’s the time when we do some introspection and reflection on our lives. That’s when we decide what to keep and what to discard. There is a lot of “New year, new me”, I suppose…

Some folks make positive changes and move along swimmingly. Others? Not so much. They make the changes for a few days and fall right back into the habit. Have you ever seen a gym in January? It’s packed and filled with many new faces at the start of the new year. However, when we get to around April (read February), they are gone for whatever reason. I guess this puts a new meaning on the word “resolution”. 

I believe it is great to make new year’s resolutions. It is even better to follow through with them. That’s how we will achieve our goals. Saying what we want for ourselves could be compared to asking someone for a gift. There is no guarantee that we will get it. However, if you place some plans into action and execute, there is a chance that it will definitely work out.

No pun intended, but take going to the gym for example. The end goal could be losing twenty pounds by March 31. How will you get there? What’s the strategy? Will you go to the gym twice a week and work out for an hour? Will you get a trainer? What about revisiting your portion sizes and reducing your junk food intake? Believe me. This may be intimidating and daunting. 

My advice: Just bite off what you can chew and keep going. Do what you must little by little. Small wins are still wins. Celebrate them often. With goals, I have noticed that we are caught up with the end result rather than paying attention to the process. As creatures of habit, maybe that’s the best way to get there. If we change little things about ourselves and our habits consistently and intentionally, we will reap the rewards. The big things will come. If your end goal is to write a book, start off by writing for fifteen minutes per day. Don’t try to accomplish it in one sitting. You will be overwhelmed. Learn to be okay with your efforts.

Remember that accountability is a must. Have people in your space who will be your cheerleaders and gentle bullies to keep on going when you want to quit. We need tough love sometimes. Make these relationships mutual. If they want to quit too, be their voice of reason. Since we all want to go far on this journey, it’s best if we lean on each other and make it together. We really cannot do this by ourselves, no matter how hard we try. We need people.

Life has a way of sideswiping us. Issues may arise that may prevent us from doing what we must. For many years, health challenges have stopped me from achieving my dreams. That’s been discouraging because it keeps recurring. It gets tough. But, when an obstacle pops up, recalibrate and adjust. Be encouraged to be like a river. If a boulder is in its path and it cannot overtake the obstacle, go around it. Find healthy and sustainable ways of getting there. If you need to pause, do so for a moment. Never quit though. You don’t want to live with regrets. Pick yourself up and try again.

Finally, pray. Your life depends on it. Treat prayer like breathing. Do it often until it becomes second nature to you. Pray in bad and good times. This act should not be limited to just one particular type of situation. I know from experience that this is how I get settled when insurmountable tasks are before me. I may not get to finish what I set out to do, but at least I tried. To be honest, this is one of the reasons I made it through 2020. The presence of the Lord was my only constant last year, even when no one else was around. I am certain that this method works.

Remember this. A garden doesn’t grow overnight. The gardener has to tend it. With all these efforts, he/she has to wait on the elements to act too. Focus on what you can control. Be patient. 

Happy New Year, everyone! I am hoping that 2021 will be less traumatic for you. I pray your life will be filled with God, grace and good.