Tired of New Year resolutions that fail? Try this
We've been there before. New Year resolutions that lose their steam by March, just like those of previous years. If you're tired of failing, here's an option I've seen family and friends apply with success.
Keep It Simple
Resolutions without plans are doomed to fail, elaborate plans don't go the distance either. Fact remains that the simpler the goals and plans, the greater the chances of succeeding.
Here's my simple game plan for 2014, the same one I've had for years: Connect to God. Connect to others. I have learned that for as long as I connect to God and to others my year (just like this last one) will end successfully.
Love God, love others
When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
It's simple isn't it? Love God and love others.
The brilliance of Jesus' game plan is it's amazing overlap. The more connected you are to God, the greater your ability to connect with others becomes. We become more patient, kinder, joyful and forgiving when we are connected to a patient, kind, joyful and forgiving Creator, Father and Friend.
Simple But Not Easy
I don't want to mislead you, connecting to God and to others is a simple concept but is not easy.
Connecting to God begins with faith. Faith means to believe that God is the Supreme Creator of the universe (that includes us) and that He exists, and that He loves us despite all our flaws and issues. That's the easy part.
But the second half of faith is to act upon what you believe, for without works, the faith we profess is dead. The proof of our faith in God is when we put His will ahead of ours. That's the not so easy part. Regardless, I can't imagine what life would be like without my connection with God.
Connect to Others
Early on, I've learned that having quality relationships is the very thing you want to be successful in.  What good is being successful in a career with no one to share its fruits and benefits with?
Not only is having a relationship the goal and plan, it is also the main ingredient to becoming successful. We've heard it said, “It's not what you know but who you know.”
For starters I will not be the person I am if not for my parents. I would not have enjoyed the life I now live if not for my wife and children. Everything I know, have learned and experienced was through the auspices of generous teachers, coaches, relatives, associates and friends.
The Genius of God's System
Connecting with God enables you to connect well with others. As you connect with others you benefit from their collective wisdom, experience and connections.
Whether it's growing spiritually or relationally, getting fit, learning to manage and invest your money, having fun or acquiring a new skill, the secret lies in connecting with God and with others.
This year design a plan that is focused on a stronger connection with God and with others. As each year ends I have found I can say with confidence, it has been a successful year.
Have a great year!
My Comments Policy
While my site offers visitors the ability to converse, I have a few ground rules so that our conversations will remain civil and courteous.
1. You must register in order to leave a comment. I don’t entertain pseudo, anonymous or bogus individuals. This site is my home (it has a Home Page, get it). I don’t let strangers who don’t introduce themselves into my home.
2. I love questions. I love them because a lot of times they are similar to someone else’s questions and can even trigger other questions from others. Questions also keep us all sharp. This is also why I respond to them as best as I can and at the soonest possible time. I believe that group answering benefits more people than private email exchanges.
3. We don’t have to agree. Debates are welcome. However, whether it is with me or any other visitors of my site, my rule is this: disagree if you must but keep things civil. That’s just how I run my home, and you are a visitor here. No shouting; I have seen it done in writing. No cursing and no insulting.
4. I reserve the right to delete your comments. Like I said, this is my home. I do not have an obligation to publish your comments. As a human being, you may enjoy the freedom to express your opinions on your own site but not on mine. To be specific, I will delete your comments if you post content that is in my sole opinion: (a) snarky; (b) off-topic; (c) libelous, defamatory, abusive, harassing, threatening, profane, pornographic, offensive, false, misleading, or which otherwise violates or encourages others to violate my sense of decorum, civility or any law, including intellectual property laws; or (d) “spam,” i.e. an attempt to advertise, solicit, or otherwise promote goods and services. You may, however, post a link to your site or your most recent blog entry.
5. You retain ownership of your comments. I do not own them and I expressly disclaim any and all liability that may result from them. By commenting on my site, you agree that you retain all ownership rights in what you post here and that you will relieve me from any and all liability that may result from those posts.
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In short, my goal is to host interesting conversations with caring, honest, and respectful people. I believe this clear and simple comments policy will facilitate this.
