We are a few weeks shy from the New Year. The
reality unfolds after the holidays! Many of us are clueless about the plans we
have for the year or we are reluctant to make plans ahead.
I understand the running battles to accomplish
goals we have set. I know writing plans can be tiring and exhausting while
thinking of them and can also be frustrating to write.
I feel the same way too!
But despite my reluctance in writing a New Year’s
plan, we all need it.
What stirs my heart towards having a
simple plan in the least is...
Having
a plan is scriptural and wise.
For which of you, intending to build a
tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Luke 14:28
“Counting the cost”, Jesus meant was sit down
have a plan, ask questions about your intended project, analyse what you need
like funds, recruiting the right people to execute and everything else in
between.
If you think because you failed the previous year,
there is no need to try planning again this year, let me shock you.
You are wrong!
Your failures in this year is no excuse for anticipating failure for the New Year!
If you feel this way, I strongly recommend you
read this Series or better still shoot me an email, if you want the PDF
compilation at no cost and no strings attached.
Why You Need to Plan for 2016
1. Plans give you an idea of what
you want in written form. And believe me when I say, there
is power in penning down ideas. Don’t commit them to memory alone get yourself committed by writing them down too.
2. Plans help you have sense of what
works for you and what doesn’t work. If you don’t know
what worked for you, then you will continue in a series of mistakes and waste
precious time and resources.
3. You will find out your level of
capability. Sometimes we don’t know how much we are able to
accomplish until we set the ball rolling through plans.
4. Plans help you commit to a
greater good. I said something similar in #1.
Get committed to making your life better. Like the popular cliche, no one will take you
seriously unless you take yourself seriously.
5. Plans give you a sense of
accomplishment. I understand the downside could be
disappointment. But remember you can rework those plans. Read about it HERE.
6. You can overcome procrastination
by penning things down. If you struggle with
procrastination, plans are a great way to start.
You can read more about overcoming
procrastination HERE.
How
do you successfully draw up a plan?
1 Look over your previous plan. Before
you make a New Year resolution you should ask yourself these three questions;
*What failed? I don’t like this but let's face
it.
If you don't know where you have failed in the time past, how can you prevent a repetition?
*What worked? What was your AHA Moment?
*What can you differently? reconcile the difference between what went well and what didn't. Then choose what you can do differently.
Sometimes your success lies in make-over or
do-over.
2 Choose a simple workable plan for
business, ministry, marriage etc. We feel overwhelmed when we have too much on
our plate. That’s a trap to watch out for.
Set goals that can be easily
attained. Write out how you intend to get them accomplished too. That works for
me.
3 Find an accountability partner. When you
have someone to report your progress to, it gets you more committed. You can join a facebook group or a writing or reading group, whatever group(s) that share your interests. This will help you on the long run.
4 Write it down. Do I need to say that
again?
YES, write it down.
5 Find the right motivation. That’s where
we miss it. We choose a good project but for the wrong reasons.
Bottom line: Whatever you choose to do in the New Year must find roots in truth, integrity
and pure reasons.
6 Set a time scale: If you are a procrastinator, you will
agree with me that time shakes you up.
But, put it there!
7 Be flexible: Having said all, I want
you to always remember despite our plans, God’s counsel prevails!
Allow yourself grace when life interrupts your
plan. Every plan should be subject to prayers.
Do you feel overwhelmed already?
Don't be this is where I can be of help.
Simply, print out the pages you want and fill them
up.
Next, hold them place with pins and stickers on
your office or home board.
If you are a subscriber no worries, I am sending
it straight to your email. Watch out for it in your next email.
By His Great Grace,
Ifeoma Samuel
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