ONE OF THESE DAYS
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I’ve heard people my whole life say something like, “You know one of these days I’m gonna…” Finish the sentence just about any way you can think of and we’ve probably already heard it.
I’ve found that people that talk about change rarely earnestly attempt it.
That’s why New Years resolutions never made too much sense to me. If I feel a need for change I’m not going to wait for a new year to get started on it. If it’s important enough to warrant a change it shouldn’t wait until a certain date, unless there is a binding contract or agreement involved.
I remember when my dad quit smoking. He didn’t make a New Years resolution, he contemplated it for years. One day he threw out his pack of unfinished cigarettes and never lit up again.
I have to confess I ate like a horse over the weekend of Christmas, I had let down my discipline a bit for a couple months even prior to that. April from Blessed Beyond Measure (add shameless plug for your friend’s blog here) had a picture of a candy store in one of her posts. My mouth watered just thinking about it and knowing the delicacies I’d soon be consuming.
I knew it was time to get some extra cardio. I didn’t wait for the week to end so I could start fresh in the New Year. I started that day. The day I realized the need. I’m not saying I’m exceptional for having done so, I just know that my human nature if allowed to put something off, will very likely continue to put it off, whatever it is.
One thing I do at the start of the New Year is make a list. The title at the top of my list is “Goals.” The things I want to be a priority in my life for the next 12 months. I fold up that list and keep it in my wallet. My list of goals is with me every day of the year. I don’t look at it every day, but occasionally pull it out, unfold it and measure where I’m at on my quest for the year.
Things like doing cardio to lean out or landing a literary agent don’t make it onto my list. I figure if I take care of the big things, the little things will take care of themselves. Here is a sample of my last list.
1. Trust God in everything.
2. Learn to have only fear of God. (no fear of the world)
3. Be of the highest character during everyone else’s meltdown.
4. Honor God by how I love my wife.
5. Be a bigger part in my kids lives.
The next two lines were business related and the goals for my Lacrosse girls regarding work ethic, character, and their self-image. OK, yes, and to win a state championship.
In truth resolutions and goals are essentially the same thing. We have to be resolute or determined and unwavering in our pursuit of fulfilling our goals or desires.
I like to use goals, not only due to the negative connotation that have become associated with resolutions, but also because goals don’t ever have to be completely attained in order to receive gratification. I think anything attempted in life that is done for the right reasons and is carried out with passion and perseverance carries the gratification within the process, not just the outcome.
I’ll make a new list of goals for this year. I’ll have to carry some over from last year, probably even every year for the rest of my life. Each year as I do a little better and get closer to my goals I’ll be encouraged. God honors seekers…
“Someday” isn’t one of the days of the week. I’ve also heard it said that “someday never comes.” Whatever day of the week it is, regardless of what week or month it is, it is today…
Do you know what today is…? TODAY’S THE DAY!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 @ 11:31 am
I agree with you! I think that as soon as we recognize a need in our lives, we must work toward that need immediately. Yes, new years are a sort of starting over point for certain things, but our growth in our lives, physical and spiritual and emotional, should be ongoing no matter what. I am like you, if I say, I’ll start that tomorrow…I’ll never start it. So, I have to start it as soon as I see the need or I’ll procrastinate forever…which unfortunately is more often what happens in my life.
I like the goal list for the year. I think I need to start something like that as well.
And thanks for the shameless plug! 🙂
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 @ 11:45 am
The list of goals seems to help me stay a little more focused, which is no easy task, the shameless plug was my pleasure!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 @ 3:11 pm
I am in a business where it is all about the goals….mostly monetary. I like your goals better.
You have motivated me to re-work my goal list for 2011! D
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 @ 5:54 pm
Good for you, I think we’re beginning to get our priorities in order, thanks for your support always.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 @ 6:45 pm
Floyd,
I absolutely love your goal list.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 @ 7:08 pm
Thanks Lees, it helps a forgetful person like yours truly.
Saturday, January 8, 2011 @ 12:31 pm
I think I just added a couple things to my list. Thx Buddy
Sunday, January 9, 2011 @ 4:59 pm
Floyd, you’re entirely right. I made my debut at the gym sometime around September this last year because I was feeling like it was necessary. I can’t imagine what it’d be like waiting until just now to get to it…. very interesting.
And wonderful goals, by the way!
Sunday, January 9, 2011 @ 6:22 pm
Good for you for not waiting, for me if I start procrastinating I just don’t know where it will end, so I don’t want to start. Thanks for your insight here and on your blog.