5 Things you should consider doing in 2014

New Year Resolutions. Do you still make those? Many people have stopped making resolutions for a new year because they’ve failed to make their previous resolutions come alive. The fact that we have made resolutions that we could not pull through with should however, not deter us from making further resolutions. What we must do is to find out why we have not been able to achieve what we resolved to do. This where many of us don’t do well. Moreover, the reason why most of us don’t get to bring our resolutions to pass is usually because of poor planning. In the beginning of the year, we have very high hopes but because we didn’t plan well, we falter when things get hard and gradually become spectators of life events only to get to the end the year with another list of resolutions for the next. Speaking on the importance of planning, five star general in the United States Army and America’s 34^th President, Dwight David Eisenhower said:

In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.

Planning brings your priority into focus and keeps you in the present day reality while your gaze is on the future. Planning gives you clarity about your destination, balances things when they go crazy and provides you with the peace that comes from knowing your priorities.

In 2014, decide to live your life on Purpose. Make plans for the year now. Refuse to be a passive spectator in the New Year. Take charge of your domain. To help you in your planning, below are five things you may want to consider doing in 2014. I am sure, doing them would move you forward into becoming the person God wants you to be.

1.       Discover and Pursue Your Life Purpose.

The necessity of the discovery of your life assignment cannot be overemphasized. The greatest discovery you can make in your life is the discovery of the why of your existence. If you have not given it a thought, as you plan for 2014, I beg you to decide to take steps towards the discovery of your purpose. Plan to go on retreats that allow you to be alone to communicate with your manufacturer. Plan to read books that will help you understand the matter of God’s global plan with the view to receiving insight as to what your role could be. Decide to be consistent in your walk with God so that you can be available for His provided opportunities to open your heart to discovery. [You actually should not postpone this matter till next year.] You can still take some time to ponder deeply on it and seek the face of your maker for insight. God will not keep His Purpose for your life from you. Plan to make deliberate efforts to discover Your Life Assignment if you have not. If you have discovered your Purpose, 2014 is another opportunity to serve your potentials to the World. You should make plans to pursue your life purpose and to maximize your potentials. If you still desire clarity, plan to deliberately arrange meetings with God to give you same. If you are already in active pursuit, make plans and set goals that will help you serve more of your potentials to the World. If you have to attend conferences or meet some people, make plans to do so. If you have to organize an event, make plans to do so. Be ready to take steps of faith. Your Life in 2014 would be impactful if are purpose-driven. This takes effort, planning and constant re-evaluation of your values.

2.      Seek Knowledge.

This is a very important part of your pursuit of purpose. Satan rules the world by the power of ignorance. Make plans to seek knowledge in 2014. You can decide to read at least one book every month. You may want to form a group with your friends to discuss issues. Don’t just sit and expect answers. Proactively ask questions.

3.      Build Relationships

Many of us underestimate the power of relationships. We seem to enjoy running life alone. Having a prayer partner, accountability partners or Purpose training partners are good steps you can take to becoming the best that you can be. Take steps to reach out to people by becoming selfless. Take definite steps to develop your relationship with God. Develop a good relationship with yourself too and plan to spend some more time with your friends. It will be worth it. The path to greatness is service. Plan to build relationships in which you can serve and not just be receiver.

4.      Get a Skill

Skills are very needful for pursuit of purpose. If you have found Purpose, you will see that certain skills are germane to your pursuit. 2014 is another opportunity to get these skills and to improve the ones you have. If there is a skill you have been hoping to learn, make plans to learn the skill in the New Year. It could be driving, swimming, or public speaking. Cultivating a skill is never a waste of time. Some skills may not be central to your Purpose, they certainly can be relevant in the future.

5.      Read the Bible through.

This a very important step that I recommend you take in 2014. It is a challenge that is worth rising to. For some, reading the bible through is a regular part of their life. However, so many others have not seen it needful. I strongly suggest that you make efforts and indeed plan to be part of the reading the bible through exercise in 2014. There are materials that provide a systematic mode of reading the bible through in the whole of year. Most devotionals have such plans. What is most needed is your dedication to the process. That you have tried it and failed is no excuse for not trying again. If you are willing, you can.

On the whole, the first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.  Your abilities require responsibilities to expose your possibilities. Do not shy away from such responsibilities in 2014. Embrace them. Be sure to give all that you do your best shot to avoid avoidable regrets. Make plans and also review them as the year goes by. Everybody ends up somewhere in life. Blessed are those who end up somewhere on purpose!

Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. [Prov. 3:6 MSG]

There are very few people who have a plan for their life. Most are passive spectators, watching their lives unfold, one day at a time. They are reactive rather than proactive.

– Michael Hyatt

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