30 Day Goals Are Better Than New Year Resolutions

Chances are that if you made a New Year’s resolution, it’s already been compromised. Let’s face it, New Year’s resolutions don’t work for the vast majority of us.

Case in point, remember last month when everyone was smiling and cheerful and generous? And then New Year’s came and coasting on all those good holiday feelings, we made resolutions to lose 10,000 pounds and get out of debt, start exercising, stop being snarky and stay in touch with friends and family better … and then … we didn’t do any of it. 

Girlfriend, I’ll be honest, I run out of rockets fast. Setting goals for an entire year overwhelms me.

This year I’m trying something different. I’m setting 30 day goals. I can manage, tolerate or endure almost anything if I know it’s only for 30 days. Can’t you?

How successful do you think you’d be if you tried to:
Lose all the weight you’ve gained since you were 13?
Nope!
But eat no chocolate for 30 days?
Sure!

Read the Bible in a year?
Probably not!
Read a chapter every day for 30 days?
No doubt!

Get out of debt this year?
Maybe not!
Put an extra 10% of your paycheck toward debt for 30 days?
Oh yeah!

Give up Netflix or Facebook or Candy Crush forever?
LOL!
Cut back to 20 minutes a day for 30 days?
No problem!

Go to the gym every day until you have six-pack abs?
Not likely!
Work out 15 minutes a day for 30 days?
Sign me up!

Never say another unkind word?
Good luck with that!
Fast from complaining for 30 days?
More realistic!

Set 30 day goals for the win!

Whatever the big desire is for 2019, try tackling it (or a piece of it) with 30 day goals! You’ll be pleasantly surprised at your results which will perpetuate your momentum. After 30 days, you can recommit for another 30 days, or adjust the goals, or go on to something else.

Truly, most of us know what we need to do or not to do. We simply lack the drive or motivation or stamina to do it for the long haul. Even our spiritual superhero, Paul says in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

God will lead us step by step to a life that works better. (John 14:26) Day by day and season by season, God draws us into a life of wisdom. Once a good pattern or habit is established, he leads us to work on another and another until we more closely resemble him.

Include God in the decision and the execution of your plans.

• Pray for God’s will and strength to sustain and enable you. 
• Choose a realistic 30 day goal. Something to jumpstart you to a bigger goal or break a pattern that is unhealthy or unattractive.
• Write it down and tell someone. If you can find a partner to commiserate and celebrate with all the better.

My 30 day goal is to edit my new discipleship course and get it ready for production. What’s yours? Leave me a comment and let me know. I’d love to be your cheerleader.

Prayer: God, I want to be the best version of myself possible. Fill me with your Holy Spirit a fresh so He can lead and guide me. Surround me with others who will support and encourage each other. Mold me and make me more like you. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) Thank you, In Jesus Name amen.