How Are Those Resolutions Going?

So, we are about half way through the first month of 2014 - how are those resolutions coming? I can only speak for me but I'm tanking right now. My resolutions are listed in the previous post and I don't think they are all that difficult, but it seems that they are taking longer to catch on than I thought they would.

I was hoping that by now they would become a habit but it seems that habits take a little longer to catch on than I thought.  I've heard that habits can take about 21 - 26 days but shouldn't I be seeing something by now?  Actually, according to some of the research I've been reading some habits can take no time at all to form while others can take as long as 66 days.  Good Grief!! If that's the case I don't think I will ever get through these resolutions!

You probably are having the same reaction I did when I read the research but I'm here to encourage and not discourage you.  Here are some things that I have been reminded of regarding forming new habits:

• Repition is important! Anything worth doing you need to do over and over again. Remember some of the habits we are trying form are going to replace bad habits or are going to be new things all together.  Keep moving forward. Don't let the little slip up sidetrack you.
• We are fighting the base part of our nature if we are trying to retrain our brain to move in the right direction. Our human nature hates change has much as anyone else and will fight you again and again.
• Gather around you a support team that will keep you encouraged and focused on what you are trying to accomplish.
• Get in to God's Word (that may be the new habit you're trying to form - don't start in Lamentations!).

Hey, it's only the middle of January there's still whole year in front of you! You can be successful if you just keep moving forward - one step at a time.

Happy New Year! Now What?

It's the beginning of a new year and as I sit and reflect on 2013 it's easy to be reminded of all things that I didn't accomplish and not see the many opportunities I had last year. Here are some of those accomplishments:

1. Re-elected to the Board of Directors of the National Religious Broadcasters
2. Finished year one for the C.S. Lewis Fellows Program
3. Spoke I front of the students at Toccoa Falls College
4. Traveled to Haiti.
5. Spoke to high school students in Franklin, NC
6. Spoke in a few churches
7. Guest hosted on a talk radio program

I read a a few posts in the last couple of days (Ed Stetzer and Time Ninja) regarding questions one should ask themselves entering a new year.  Here are the questions I will be asking myself this year:

1. Where did I succeed in 2013? Where did I fail?
2. What did I enjoy the most? What do I regret?
3. What lessons have I learned? What do I need to do differently?
4. What do I need to do more? What do I need to stop doing?
5. What impossible thing am I going to ask God to do this year?
6. What ways will I make my family stronger and better this year?
7. How and in what way will I increase my enjoyment of God in the coming year?
8. What is that one habit that wastes the most time in my life? What do I plan to do about it?
9. What Spiritual disciplines do I need to strengthen this year?
10. How will I make my church better this year?
11. What one thing do I plan to do this year that will matter in 10 years? In eternity? 
12. In what way will I make 2014 better than 2013?

Here are some goals that I'm striving for this year:

1. Write a blog post once per week.
2. Conduct one interview per week.
3. Read one book per month.
4. Speak once per month.
5. Take my wife on a date once each week.
6. Spend a few hours each week with each of my children
7. Build my platform

My prayer is that you will find a few goals to strive for, and with God's help see success in 2014.  If you need help in meeting your goals why not gather others around you (physically and virtually) that can encourage you each day.  Make them a priority in your life!

Have a great 2014 and let me know your progress!!