Don't Set A Goal, Change A Pattern!

Are you thinking about New Years Resolutions?  You should, it can be a good time to make some changes.  Just because most people will give up doesn't mean you will, if you make the right kind of changes.  Last year I decided to read through the Old Testament.  I almost did, but I did much more.  I read through a significant portion of the New Testament and most of the Old Testament.  I'm going to finish, I basically have the minor prophets left.  Which means, I didn't reach my goal...or did I?

What is the point of a goal?  Some people set weight loss goals  only to return to eating poorly and not exercising as soon as the goal is reached.  Then they put the weight back on and need another goal.  The same goes with reading or some financial goal.  What if you approached this a little differently?

Don't set a goal, change a pattern.  If you think reading and learning is important, change your pattern.  When can you MAKE time in your day to read?  Is it right away when you get up, your first 10 minutes in the office (show up early), before you go to bed, when is it?  Start with something fairly easy to read and read 10 minutes every day.  don't take any days off for he first three months.  Be disciplined and strict, nothing gets in the way of reading for ten minutes.  This isn't so you can read a certain number of books, it is so you can fill your life with good habits that will replace the bad habits you already have.  

Some times good habits and patterns need refreshing.  One reason people lose weight and then put it back on is because the pattern they have embraced became stale.  Change it up, don't get rid of it.  Maybe you have been working on a lot of cardio in your work out, but you are tired of it.  Go from running to riding a bike or focus on gaining strength and muscle mass for a while and back off (don't quit) the cardio.  Sometimes good patterns need revision to keep us interested.  This last year I was reading through the Old Testament.  This coming year I am going to pick a book of the Bible and read the same book along with a commentary every month.  It will either be Isaiah or Revelation.

Goals aren't any good if they don't develop good patterns in our lives.  If the goal isn't reached, but the pattern is changed, that is success.  So, make a new years resolution.  You can even set a goal, but remember success is not defined by whether or not you reach the goal, but by whether or not the pattern is changed.

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