Choose to Plan

We have now completed almost two weeks in January and we will be into February soon. The first week of the month, everyone was posting and talking about their goals and visions for this year. Though many have begun weight loss and exercise routines, it is sad to say, but many will be quitting soon before their healthy habits have formed. I believe the reason many fail to follow through on their missions is because though they had great intentions and believe in their hearts with great purpose, they fail to plan their steps.

Making a “plan” is today’s focus in this series on reaching our goals.

1.   Purpose – Establish the “what and the why.”

2.  Plan – Get a plan of action together and schedule it. Write it down & break it down into smaller goals and steps. Set up accountability. This is the “HOW” you will achieve your goals.

When I think back on the things I have wanted to do and even began to do but didn’t complete, it has almost always been because a plan of action was not thought out or written down.   The goals I have accomplished and the things that have been completed were usually written down in my calendar, broken down into action steps and involved others. Winston Churchill was correct in saying, “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.”   My personality and lifestyle helps to determine the action steps that are right for me and they will be different than they are for you, however, a great plan will include breaking the goals down into quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily tasks and habits. I know that to lose 20 pounds by the end of March, I have to schedule my workouts, plan my meals, remove some things from my diet, and follow a proven weight loss SYSTEM. I have joined an accountability group and am aware of the things that might distract me from my plans. I personally choose to get my plan together and when I am done, I choose to follow the wisdom of Solomon. His words are recorded in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”  The commit is the purpose and then I trust God to help direct my plans.  So take your written purpose and get your plan of action together.  Then, if you don’t have a calendar, you can either go purchase one or perhaps you might like to use the Google calendar.  It is free and integrates between the calendar on your computer and the free app that can be downloaded.  I love it because reminders and notifications can be set up and the calendar can be shared with others.  This is a great plan to help me stay on track because I need visual aids in front of me and people who help me stay accountable.  Scheduling your action steps is a great part of the plan.

There are 3 more steps but the process is now in motion because we have a plan:

3. Prepare – There are some things you will need to have with you or set in place in order to carry out your plan.

4. Produce – You will begin to see results because of your efforts.

5. Persist – So often we hit a first goal, celebrate and then quit.       The real success is in the continuation of the process.

Won’t you join the movement and choose to get your plan together? It’s your choice and no matter what you think or feel…. Your choices matter!

And that brings up another thought….but I CHOOSE to save it for another post.

If you enjoy reading this Tues/Friday blog, please choose to join the movement by requesting my free download: 7 Steps to Live out your Choice to Forgive! You will soon receive exclusive video content delivered directly to your email as a gift to my subscribers. I would also LOVE to have your feedback below and a share to your social friends. Thank you!