As a Certified Empowerment Coach, I am a big supporter of setting goals. So as we enter 2013, I encourage you to decide what you want to see changed in your life in the New Year. I also want to encourage you to become sharp in the application of five key skills over the next twelve months:
In fact, I invite you to work with me as I seek to improve them in my own life.
1. Fix Your Focus: Pick four key goals that you want to achieve in 2013. Your list may be longer and you may feel tempted to add more. However, I encourage you to limit it to four things that must change in your life over the next twelve months. Then, order them in terms of what should naturally come “next” in your life based on what is easiest to achieve with your current resources. So, if your list were to include finding a new job, losing weight, dating and taking a trip. Which one could you impact immediately? Losing weight or taking the trip may be the goals you can take on right away. Once you determine the goal you wish to pursue, your time management and decision making should be in service to achieving that goal. Total alignment in thought, word and deed is the result of true focus.
2. Forgive by Default: Offenses are like little germs…we pick them up so easily. But it is important that you remember, that you can’t get past what you won’t forgive. Anything that remains unforgiven in your life will limit you from expressing your full potential. When we operate in unforgiveness, it means that we haven’t taken the necessary control over that area of our lives. In 2013, make forgiveness a priority. Deal with slights, rude comments, insensitivities and situations that “just don’t feel right” immediately.
3. Fasten Your Faith: In some ministry circles, the idea of positive confession is mocked. It is dismissed as being “name it and claim it” or “blab it and grab it.” When we don’t understand God’s Word and balance things within context, we can operate in error. However, the Word is clear that the power of life and death is in the tongue. In 2013, it is time to align your talk with God’s Word. Our words have power and we should use them responsibly. This doesn’t mean to walk in denial about your circumstances. It does mean that we should become skilled at encouraging ourselves through speaking words and thoughts of power as revealed in the scriptures.
4. Fail Forward: Making mistakes and falling short is par for the course. We are all going to do and say things that we shouldn’t. But we must learn to rebound healthily and with power. Failures are lessons that are meant to be studied so that we can make better decisions in the future. You are not the things you’ve done, but you can use those things to become a better you.
It is time for you to reframe failure, so that you no longer fear it. The fear of failure will keep you stuck, but when you cease to fear failure you will make significant leaps and strides. Take the limits off and put some skin in the game.
5. Filter Your Friendships: The Word is clear, “iron sharpens iron.” Who or what is sharpening you? At a critical point in my life when I wanted to make major career changes, I had to evaluate my circle of closest friends. While I had great friends, none of them had similar ambitions or goals in that area of life. They were more focused on other aspects and therefore couldn’t give me the practical support I needed to move ahead.
Our friends don’t have to be exactly like us. It is the differences that will usually help us grow. However, your friends should be committed and equipped to helping you grow and achieve your dreams. They shouldn’t be threatened by the power of your potential. Find the friends who inspire you to greatness and spend your time there.
Live It! We grow in community. I encourage you to share this article with friends. Find two friends who will partner with you to cultivate these five actions steps in 2013.