I would like to wish all of my friends a Merry Happy New Year. May all your wishes come true and may blessings continue to flow into your life from heaven above.
I guess many have experienced a fantastic countdown to year 2009 with your family and friends. Some might just be sitting comfortably on their couch and watch countdown on television. Regardless of whichever way we celebrate this new year, the spirit of the new year dwells in each and every one of us.
I have read through many friend's blogs with their New Year Resolution, which is good. I can see the eagerness to excel and to prosper in their lives in various ways : studies, health, and etc.
I have some advice which I want to give to all my friends as a New Year blessing on how to get a clearer picture of your needs and wants for the New Year. Just follow the acronym S.M.A.R.T. Which also means that we have to plan smart.
S - Your goals have to be SPECIFIC. You might want to list them down.
M - How would you MEASURE your success? : You would not know your goals being attained until you give your goals a target. For example, lets say your goal is to be fitter, so how fit is fitter to you? Some might say until I get 6 packs only my goal is fulfilled. Some might mean losing some weight and having a slimmer body.
A - Describe your ACTION PLANS : So having listed down your goals, what are you going to do about it? What is your step to step to-do plans? Example, for the same goal of getting fitter, maybe you can say I will exercise 3 times a week and eat healthier.
R - Are your goals REALISTIC? : Is it doable? Yes or No? Make your goals realistic, maybe your CAP was 2.5, do not aim to get 5.0. There is nothing wrong with aiming that high. But is this doable. You might say it is possible if you study harder, but how hard is harder? Are you going to the extend where you strive so much in your studies and you neglected socializing, exercising, building up relationships, relaxation? Why not aim for a CAP 4.0 instead which is more doable and you do not have to sacrifice other equally important aspects of your life.
T - What is your TIME frame for these goals? : When do you expect to achieve those goals? Maybe you want to give yourself 6 months to lose 10 pounds. For studies maybe give yourself one semester to judge your progress.
This is not the end. To plan SMART is not enough. You have to plan SMARTER!
E - EXPECTATION MANAGEMENT. Under what circumstances will you consider adjustments? : Maybe for the person with CAP 2.5 aiming 4.0 in the following semester, but turns out to be that he or she gets 3.5 only. So we need to be mentally prepared that our goals might not be fulfilled 100%. At least in this case that person improved. Maybe for him or her, this result is still not good enough. So what adjustments would you take if you did not achieve your ultimate goal? Maybe in this same case, he or she have to study smarter instead of harder? Maybe study groups might be more effective rather than studying alone?
R - REVELATION. Write a promise or verse from the Bible that supports these goals : For example, Deuteronomy 28:13 ~ "and the Lord will make you the Head and NOT the Tail, you shall be above only and not beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today and are careful to observe them" &
Joshua 1:8 ~"This book of Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success."
1 Peter 2:24 ~"Jesus, who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree (cross), that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed."
The Bible is there to support your goals. So that it is not you who wants to do well but God, your heavenly Father, who loves each and everyone of us wants us to be successful and healthy and joyful. Enjoying our lives on earth with abundant blessings which flows like a river. So besides working hard for yourselves, you will be assured that God (who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us ~Ephesians 3:20) is more than willing to fight together with you.
I hope you guys learn something by reading this. Let us work hard together on the path to excellence! Lets do it with all our might (mental and physical strength) and do it right!
(Reference taken from Pastor Kong Hee, City Harvest Church.)
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