This guy possessed something all of us need to practice this coming year.  Instead of focusing on what I don’t have or what has been taken away, I will use what God has given me.  In a world that is always in pursuit of what they don’t have, maybe it is time to finally forget what cannot be changed and determine to do my best with I have.  You may be entering this year with less faith and more scars…fewer accomplishments and more regrets.  You have two choices: live another year mourning what is missing or live this year developing those things which are certain.

Everyone needs a motivational speaker. I’m not talking about “Matt Foley,” but someone who can genuinely motivate you when you want to give up.  This person should be able to sympathize without compromising your goals.

If you quit, start again the next day. Everyone quits.  Everyone is not a quitter.  A quitter is someone who never starts again.

Give yourself time. No goal worth accomplishing is automatic.  Remind yourself about the end result when you choose to make good daily choices.

If you don’t want things to be like they have been, there is no turning back.  Your future awaits you.  Here’s to perseverance.

Is losing weight one of your new year’s resolutions?  If so, check out what I believe to be the secret to weight loss and read my own story of how I lost 20 pounds in the first 90 days of 2010.

photo courtesy of dezignia.com

We have become too comfortable with temporary solutions.  Instead of handling the problem, we scramble to find a temporary patch to stop the immediate consequences, but the problem is that over time we begin to believe that a temporary fix is an eternal solution.

Eventually I got that tire fixed, but it happened when I finally made up my mind to do it.  No more procrastination.  No more delay.  No more laziness.  It’s time to have that conversation.  It’s time to try church again.  It’s time to start being a parent.  It’s time to get alone with God.  It’s time to start practicing better habits.  The time is now.

How soon not now, becomes never. – Martin Luther

The other day I spotted an odd looking spider in the bathroom, so I meticulously unrolled some toilet paper and spent a few seconds developing a plan before I went in for the kill. After the initial strike, the spider was no where to be found on the piece of toilet paper. I began to panic. Was he going to flank me? My eyes were furiously scanning the bathroom floor until I finally located the dead carcass. Instant relief flooded my soul.

Doing things right the first time prevents unnecessary fear and worry about the future.

Make the first strike count.

We all have excuses.  We are good at making them.  Excuses help us procrastinate another day.  They briefly help us feel better about ourselves.  But,

instead of making excuses for why you can’t…
You may want to start making plans for why you can and should.

The next day I walked into the living room where Lexi was jumping on the trampoline.  The urge hit me again.  I had to jump.  Instead of jumping on one trampoline, I thought I would bring some creativity and jump from one trampoline to the other.  Lexi thought it was cool, that is, until my foot caught the side of the trampoline and I fell flat on my face.  She didn’t know whether to laugh or call 911.

I was not injured.  Thanks for asking.

I fell.  Oh well.  At least I tried.  Those who try and fail are better for having tried.

If possible, always do the most unenjoyable tasks FIRST.  Since they will eventually need to be done, you are better off getting them out of the way first.  This will hopefully remove dreadful feelings as you perform other assignments.

Think positive.  I know this may seem a little touchy-feely, but I really mean this.  Complaining and whining only make matters worse.  Remember Paul’s words in Philippians 2:14, “Do everything without complaining and arguing….”

Ask for help.  Sometimes you need outside help to maintain a right attitude and proper focus.  Personally, I think pausing for a brief moment of prayer helps my attitude.  You may also want to enlist someone to hold you accountable for performing certain tasks with a right heart attitude.

What do you do to make unenjoyable tasks more enjoyable?

Progressing at a slow rate is not always a negative thing.  Use the time as an opportunity to ask yourself some honest questions.

Here’s the reality. You are important to God, but there are people or things that are daily seeking to destroy you. Rather than allowing potential danger to come close, leave yourself a little extra room. Instead of walking near the edge, stay behind the fence. “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3).

Joseph’s response to this seductive woman is worthy of emulation in our own lives.  If you are encountering a barrage of temptation, learn how to walk away.  Although temptation seems irresistible, God promises an escape for those who desire to be obedient to Him.  Pay close attention to Paul’s words to the church at Corinth: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Temptation promises satisfaction which, in reality, is only found through obedience.