LIFE PLAN FOR 2013, Pt. 3

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Today we add another step.  Let me be honest.  This step is not as fun as setting goals…at least for people wired like me.  This is a little more difficult and will take a little more time to complete, but it is a vital step to the success of your plans.  Chances are good that if you fail to keep your New Year’s resolutions, not doing this step well is the more likely reason.
In this step, we will write some action steps, which will help us reach our specific goals.  The question you should attempt to answer here is: What specific action steps do I need to take to ensure I reach my goals?  Be specific here.  The more specific the action step the greater chance you have of completing it.  Below you will see the specific goals followed by the action steps.
Lose 20 pounds – I want to lose 20 pounds by June 1, by eating less and exercising more.
  • Exercise on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Limit eating fast food at lunch to once a week
  • Stop drinking diet soft drinks and drink more water
  • Keep track of calories, attempting to eat less than 2,000 calories per day
Improve my marriage communication – I want my wife and I to argue less about things, simply due to poor communication.  I want to understand her better and find more times when we are on the same page without arguing to get there.  I want us to be able to talk through issues without raising our voice at each other.
  • Write out questions for our date nights to answer together…
  • Read one marriage book together and do one Bible study together
  • Attend a marriage conference this year
  • Have a date night every week
Pay off my credit card - I want to pay off $7,000 worth of debt by Thanksgiving.
  • Limit eating dinner out to once a week
  • Work to refinance the house
  • Write a realistic budget by Jan 30th
  • Read the book “I Was Broke and Now I’m Not” by Joe Sangl
Read through the Bible - I want to be able to say I have read the entire Bible and finish all of it this year, without losing interest in three months.  I want to read the Bible consistently throughout the year at least 5 days per week.
  • Use one of YouVersion’s daily reading plans
  • Not check Facebook or email until I’ve read the Bible
  • Follow along with my small group curriculum
  • Get the YouVersion smart phone application
Do these steps assure your success?  No.  But, they make it a whole lot more likely.  This is planning, the element that is usually the missing link in our yearly attempts.  Write it out.  Be specific.  Be practical.  Plan your work and work your plan.

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