What I've Learned Today: Commitment, Goals, and Counting the Costs

Commitment is more than words

We are already going in to day three of the new year. For sure, there have been promises made to do and get better - better health, wealth, friends - you name it, we want it better.

It's great to set goals. The only problem is, that we set them with no real intention or plan to reach them. Then when we fail, we get upset with ourselves because we've once again lied to ourselves about what we want to accomplish. That usually sends people on a bigger spiral and you are set back further than you were before because in all honesty, you may be thinking "why even try? I already messed up."

That mindset also tends to spill over into our spiritual lives. We want to "do better" by God, but we never really count the costs (Luke 14:25-35) of what it means to be His disciple. We make grandiose plans to become that "Super Saint", but never take the smallest steps to get there.

Well, here are four things to help you on your journey to being better - both in your spiritual life with God and in your physical life with your earthly vessel.

1. Recognize where you are currently and be realistic about where you want to be.
2. Set your main goal that is ATTAINABLE, but be sure to make clear, concise and measurable SMALLER goals to get there. Take into account obstacles that will arise and how you will get over them. And set realistic deadlines to complete your goals.
3. Set up a support and accountability system both with yourself and others. Goals aren't met when they are secrets.
4. HAVE FUN and reward your accomplishments with something that will NOT set you back 5 steps where you came from. So, if you are trying to lose 5lbs, and lose 6, don't go get ice cream to celebrate - maybe do something like - buy a new shirt that will fit that new frame of yours!

What I learned today:

Our commitment in the natural often translates to the spiritual. So always think things through before committing, don't get caught up in the emotionalism of it all.