New Year’s Resolutions don’t work for multiple reasons. Most of us make half-hearted commitments as we begin the New Year. Statistics show that 25% of all New Year’s resolutions are abandoned after one week.¹ 60% are abandoned within six months.¹ Most of us make the same resolution over and over without success.

What if instead of half-hearted resolutions, we made meaningful goals for 2015? What steps might we make to accomplish them?

1) WRITE your goals down! When you write down your goals, you increase the probability of accomplishing them by 42 % according to a study by psychology professor, Dr. Gail Matthews.²

2) You must understand your emotional reasons behind the goal. Knowing your emotional “why” will motivate you to keep going when you’re tempted to quit. It’s a good idea to write this down, too.

For example, many of us have been overweight at some point in our lives and have set goals to “lose twenty pounds.” We know we should lose weight in order to be healthier, but that knowledge is not particularly inspiring. If we are going to succeed at losing weight, then we need to connect with our goal emotionally. For example, “I am going to feel great when I can move more freely.” OR “I won’t have to hide under sweatpants and tunics.” Hearing from your doctor that you should lose weight usually doesn’t work. “Shoulds” and “oughts” will not inspire us. Let’s not fall into that trap for 2015. For every goal we set, let’s make sure we tag the emotional “why” behind the goal, which will enhance our chance to succeed.

3) We need to pray about our goals. As Christians, God has told us that if we want to succeed with our goals or plans, we should submit them to Him:

“To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.” – Proverbs 16:1

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

God invites us to ask His input. If we have made plans that are outside His will, the Lord will give His reply by redirecting us. If we want success with our goals, then God needs to be integrally involved. He tells us to “commit them to Him,” and He will help bring success. Moreover, He will show us the roadmap to get there. It doesn’t get any better than that!

As you make your goals for 2015, I invite you to write them out, find the emotional “why” behind the goal, and then prayerfully submit them to the Lord. Review and pray over them at least once a week. If you invite God to lead you in your goals, 2015 can be your best year yet!

Blessings,

Lee Ann

¹ According to http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/

² Dr. Gail Matthews, psychology professor of Dominican University in California