Did you know that the average person makes about 35,000 choices in a day? While some may be of little consequence, other choices have the power to change our direction or have a lasting impact on our lives. From the time your alarm goes off in the morning until you fall asleep at night, it’s up to you to recognize the decisions that can lead to lasting positive changes.
5 Powerful Changes That You Can Make:
1. Choose connection over comments
Social media can be great to keep you in touch with friends who live far away. Sure you can see your friends’ children grow up before your eyes online or see what they think is post worthy. But, truth is likes, emojis and comments only go so far. Online we see the two-dimensional “posted” lives of others, but it’s unlikely that’s where we cultivate meaningful connection.
This year choose to really connect with your family and friends. Resist the urge to have “like” or “comment” driven relationships. Logoff and go grab a cup of coffee with that friend you haven’t seen in a while. Pick up the phone and have a conversation instead of just clicking to comment. Connecting builds more relationships than commenting.
2. Choose growth over grumbling
Let’s face it, life can be tough. We can have days, weeks or season that cause us to feel like daily life is just one challenge after the next. The great thing is that we get to choose what gets our energy and attention. We can choose to get stuck in a cycle of venting or complaining about the things we don’t like, or we can pursue personal growth so that we can influence our situations. Be intentional about your personal growth this year. Find a new podcast to listen to, go to a conference, or find a webinar that will help you build a better you in the New Year. And, who knows…when you focus on your positive growth you might just find you have less to grumble about.
3. Choose action over apathy
If you had sand in your shoe, you’d stop to dump it out rather than walk the next mile with the discomfort. What sand are you metaphorically walking around with? Whatever you aren’t changing, you’re choosing. Is there an area of your life that you’ve just given up on influencing? You’ve stopped trying to lose weight, look for a new job, or write that book you’ve dreamed of because it hasn’t happened yet. Rather than try again maybe you’ve given into apathy. Even if you haven’t made progress on it yet, it’s not too late!
What if Joshua had stopped marching around the wall after any of the first six times around? Had they stop taking action, the wall wouldn’t have fallen.Take your next step. You might be surprised at the momentum you can build by simply continuing to take the next step.
4. Choose progress over perfection
It’s easy to want to map out everything we need to do before we start. Truth is, that’s rarely how God works. Instead we need to exercise a little faith and take the next step without all of the details or having perfectly executed the last one Challenger yourself this year, choose progress over perfection. Progress says I’ll take a step and continue to learn as I go. Perfection says wait until our plans and efforts are flawless… which they will never be. Don’t let precious time slip away waiting for an unrealistic outcome. Move forward. Take a chance. Sure, you’ll make mistakes but, learn from them and keep going. You’ll be much further ahead trying rather than waiting for perfection.
5. Choose calling over comfort
It’s amazing what lies just outside of our comfort zone. This year choose to stretch yourself to that sense of purpose that is stirring in your spirit. Yes, it will cause you to push yourself out of complacency. You will run into challenges that will make you want to quickly retreat to your comfort zone.
This year, be intentional. Choose purpose or calling over comfort. What issue, cause, or activity stirs you? What has God nudged you do pursue but you’ve held back? What’s holding you back? If you’re unsure what direction to go, spend some time praying about it. Then take action. It may not be easy but it will be worth it! After all, God is still God outside of your comfort zone.
It’s your turn
The year ahead is full of choices. Use the natural momentum that January brings to assess where you can make a shift to improve your outlook and foster personal growth.
Will you be making one of these five shifts? Or, is there another one that you plan to work on. Leave me a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear about what changes you’re making this year. And of course, if you enjoyed this post, why not click to share it with your friends? They might enjoy it as well.
Until next time friends, be blessed!
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Good to see you back in the grove of every week a blog. I must, must get back at it. I simply can’t stop doing all the other things that take my time. Someday for me is just around the corner but then there is a bend. I must keep trying.
Thank you Linda. I think some times we have a season when other things need our attention. I’m glad to be back at it and always happy to “see” you here.