Choosing Paths

The start of the year always makes us think about where we are going. We like to look at our goals for the year as something that grow and change as time passes. We have made a habit of evaluating our goals and direction every few months as the seasons and seasons of life change. The goals are dynamic, not static and as we learn and grow so do the goals. For us this is a continual, lifelong habit with our plans, as individuals and as a couple. 

It can be hard to maintain the momentum with beginning of the year goals and resolutions, so here is some encouragement. Pausing intentionally or unintentionally is fine. If you feel like you fail, that is ok, just keep moving forward. You can pick up where you left off. Adapt the goal from what you have experienced and learned. Break it down into bite sized achievable portions. Plan to do this all year. 

Life will always give all of us the unexpected, so plan to give yourself the grace and flexibility to let your goals change, pause, grow and adapt as you move through the year.

Looking back at previous years (journals, social media posts, etc) you may see the same patterns. Maybe it’s something you’re unhappy with or want to change, and it repeats year after year. This repetition of goals and dreams can make you feel like there is no progress in the direction you actually want to go. 

Personally, we are looking at this year with the mindset of not circling back to the same places we have been, but to making new paths that lead to life and growth. This will take being honest with ourselves, evaluating past mistakes, recognizing places to improve and choosing to do things differently. This will mean changing old habits and checking in on goals regularly.

We call this leading with our goals. We keep our eyes on the desired outcome so we can recognize when our choices will bring us closer to or further from our goals.

Let this encourage you to start moving forward on your goals in a positive way this year.

Beth and Chris