It is hard to believe that we are almost in the last quarter of this year. Where has this year gone!
Usually, at this time of the year in the corporate world, numbers are being crunched to meet set targets for the year. At the individual level, those who have made headway on the goals they set for this year are rejoicing over the fruits their hard work and discipline have brought in.
Like most goal setters, we all want to achieve our goals; however, sometimes life does happen and we fail to do so. Maybe your desire is this year you finally get out of debt or kick that nasty habit and get freedom from its bondage. Similarly, maybe like me, you wanted to shed off all your excess weight and have correct numbers as recommended by your doctor. Whatever you may have set out to do, the good news is even if we are nearing the end of this year, we can purpose to finish this year strong by following these two steps.
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#1. Focus On The Progress You Have Made So Far.
After being introduced to Christine Kane\’s Word Of The Year Tool, I decided to give it a try for our family this year. I spent time seeking the Lord about the word he wanted us to have, I felt lead to go with the word growth.
My love for quotes led me to look up the meaning of this word and come up with a definition that would resonate and work for our family. The meaning I came up with is \”growth is gradual increase towards fullness or fulfillment\”. The key words for us in this definition are \’gradual and increase\’.
At the beginning of this year, I set a goal relating to my weight. I went ahead and put images on my vision board that would inspire and motivate me. I even joined a group of ladies to push me towards achieving my goal. You guessed it right! I have not achieved my ideal weight yet.
When I was beginning to feel defeated I remembered our word for this year and I choose to focus on how far I have come. In the beginning, I was not consistent with exercise. I had all sorts of excuses for why it was not possible for me to exercise. Last week, however, the Nike App sent me a badge congratulating me on being active for twelve months in a row.
My efforts to begin jogging have borne no fruit. Each time I jog for a little while I feel totally exhausted and frankly speaking I dislike it. However, last month I decided to push myself and start jogging. Even if I am still a novice, my pace is improving and I will keep up with my exercise regime.
Although I am yet to see substantial progress on the scale, physically and mentally I have experienced change and this is what I will continue to focus on so I can finish this year strong.
You, my friend, can decide to do what I did which is focus on how far you have come. Even if you may not have fully accomplished what you set out to do, instead of allowing your inner critic to overcome you with self-doubt and tunes of failure. Focus on the positive steps you have taken and let this spur you on.
#2. Plan For Next Year Now
I think it was Christine Kane again who advised that \”instead of waiting until January to set your goals for the year; set them in the last quarter of the preceding year\”. Doing this gives you a head start as you begin to work on your goals early enough such that by the time January rolls around, you have set routines and have gotten into the discipline of changing your habits. Moreover, the actions you start now are what will be your foundation for achieving your goals for next year.
This is a good strategy and I can testify of the results. If you want to feel like a winner at the end of this year, then set your goals for next year now and begin to work towards them.
Psychologists tell us it takes anywhere between 21 – 60 days for us to form new habits. We still have a substantial amount of time before the year comes to an end so the best time to start is today. If we start now we shall definitely finish this year strong because we shall know that although the goal is not fully accomplished, we are certainly not where we were when the year began.
Finally,
Remember the best way to prepare for next year is to set goals the right way. Make time to conduct an effective audit of what this year has been about and then make time to create a clear vision for next year by setting goals effectively. We can definitely finish this year strong and have a fruitful new year if we start it with clarity.
Bravo for your words of inspiration. In fact as I sat in class I kept on thinking of your blog. Its been a wonderful experience reading from you. You are blessed.
Aunty
Thank you Auntie for your kind words. Please keep me in your prayers that God will continue to use this blog to encourage people to live fulfilled lives.
Thanks Rosette for keeping us inspired. And as they say, “the glory is in finishing and finishing well; not in the starting”.. God bless you.
Thank you for your support and prayers. It’s true it is not how we start but how we finish that matters.
Another great piece Rosette. Congratulations on being physically active all-year round (Not easy at all). It takes commitment, determination and being focused. Thanks for the reminder to start setting our goals for 2017 now…!!!
Thank you for your support Catherine. You inspire to keep going. Sometimes when am tired I imagine you doing it and it keeps me going.
Please take time and set your goals for nect year.
This is a great post!The message resonates well with me as I am among those who failed to set the goals early and as a result, have not achieved all the goals. However, all is not lost as some “unplanned” events have occurred with a positive outcome. I purpose to plan early for next year. Thank you.
Christine start planning and working on next year’s goals now so you can finish this year strong.
An inspiring piece Rosette. What do I want is always a starting point and then celebrating all the successes we achieve along the way. No achievement is too small or little. Have a great weekend.
A bientôt!!
Thank you for your kind words Anita. I agree no achievement is too small. We have to celebrate the small victories on the way to the big one.
I like this Rosette! Just like you my goal for this year was to reduce and maintain my weight…and also run a half marathon. I am yet to run the half marathon and I had given up…but reading your article has given me the push I need to do just that! So right now training hard to run the half marathon by end of 2016! Thank you Rosette for this…I really needed it!
Thanks Miriam. From what I saw during the summer break, you have achieved the goal of loosing weight. All the best in the marathon. Just Do It!
Thanks for the piece.Even the bible reminds us that sorrow may last the night but joy comes in the morning. My goals seem not yet fulfilled but am not throwing them away, will persist till i break through
You are right Lillian no sorrow lasts forever, Joy does come in the morning. All the best as you continue to trust God to fulfill your hearts desires.
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