I’ve seen quite a few social media posts where people
are sharing their “word” for 2020. Are you picking a word or a character
trait to work on in the coming year?
I enjoy writing lists! Last year on New Year’s Eve, I stayed
up late writing a huge list of all the things I'd love to accomplish in 2019. Mainly,
it was a fun brainstorming session.
I started the year with high hopes for lots
of accomplishments. But six months into 2019, a feeling of failure hit me. While
many of those fabulous ideas still churned in my head, I’d hardly put a dent in my
list and the year was fading fast. I was tiptoeing into discouragement, and I had to do something else quickly.
So, I erased the bullet points on my planning board
and made a downsized list. By November, I revamped it again.
I learned that while my goal setting is meant to
motivate and inspire me, it can also drag me down like weights around my
neck. I don't want that to happen in the new year.
I want something better for you—and for me—in 2020!
If you're working on a yearly to-do list, or choosing that special word, and it inspires
you, encourages you to think joyful thoughts, or helps you stay focused on the wonderful things in your life, that’s awesome!
Keep doing those things!
But, if something doesn’t turn out the way you hoped, don’t
let it whisper “failure," either. Give yourself a break. And, if others don’t succeed
at their “word” or goals, give them a break, too.
We all need to have more grace
with each other, and with ourselves.
Also, it’s fine to revamp the plan, make a new list, or
choose a different “word” at any point throughout the year.
Why do our goals, plans, or word have to be set
for a whole year or set on January 1st?
What about if we did a planning session on the first
day of every month? Or the first day of every new season. Or even once a week.
The main thing is to find out what creative planning works best
for you.
This New Year’s Eve I’m not making any lists. If I were
going to pick a word for 2020, it would be “stubborn.” I want to be stubborn
about some good things. And I’d only do that topic during the month of January.
In February it would be something else—like finding
joy!
Maybe in March, I’d pick dancing to a different song each
day.
Life is an adventure and we don’t have to compare or
contrast achievements with anyone else. We don’t have to set goals or make plans
like anyone else is doing.
Find out what works for you and do that!
Do what inspires you and brings creativity and hope in 2020!
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your
plans succeed. Psalm 20:4
Happy 2020 to all of us!
Mary
