My friend, Sue, set a goal three years ago. She decided that she wanted to move out of the private sector and get a job with the federal government. She previously worked for the federal government and she wanted to re-direct her career back onto that path.
Over the course of the next three years, a lot happened in her life, including undergoing several surgeries with all the recovery time, and both her parents passing away. The time of not working was good for her in many ways because she had time available to deal with these circumstances. During those three years, however, she continued to send resumes and she did not abandon her goal.
About a month or so ago, when she was at her lowest point and wondering if she should give up on the goal, she got on her knees and prayed to God. From a place deep in her heart, she asked for God's help and turned it over to Him. A few days later, she received a call from a federal government agency following up on her resume submission. Oh, what an encouragement that was to her! There was a month-long process of interviewing and paperwork, and then she was offered the job! It is a job that seems to be perfect for her, utilizing her breadth of experience. I am amazed by God's grace and timing in answering her prayer!
It is very difficult to "hang in there" and not give up when our goals are not realized. That is why I am very inspired by Sue, who never gave up. When she was discouraged, she turned it over to God and she trusted Him. That is faith! Even though it took three years, she accomplished her goal in God's perfect timing.
It takes faith to get on our knees and pour our hearts out to God. When things are going well and everything is under control, and life is normal and predictable, it is easy to say "I have faith" or "I trust God." But when life is not predictable and there is no place left to turn, that is where the "rubber meets the road." We must exercise our faith! We must get on our knees and pour our hearts out to God and tell Him what we need.
In the Old Testament, Hannah's story is very inspiring (read 1 Samuel Chapters 1 and 2). Hannah was barren, and in her discouragement, she prayed to the Lord from the depths of her soul and asked Him to give her a son. God answered her prayer! No wonder she had a joyful heart (see below)!
Devotion
My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:1-2
Prayer:
Lord, your timing is perfect. I believe there is a reason that you bring us to a point where we are willing to get on our knees and ask you for what we need, from the depths of our hearts. With each act of faith and each answered prayer, we learn more and more to trust you! I pray that you will help us to stay focused and turn to you, rather than give up on our goals when things seem impossible. In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Renewal
Today is June 30th. We are now officially half-way through 2016. It's time for renewal! It's time to evaluate our goals and renew our commitment to achieve them. If you have not moved forward with your goals this year, now is a good time to set a strategy. If you did not set any goals earlier this year, now is a great time to think about what you want to accomplish in 2016. Rather than thinking negatively ("half the year is already gone with nothing accomplished"), think positively! You still have six months left this year to accomplish your goals!
What's the big deal about "renewal"? In contract law, renewal is a big deal. In my career, I have reviewed hundreds of contracts, carefully scrutinizing the termination provisions. If we don't renew the contract, the obligations will fall away and disappear when the contract terminates. If we want the obligations to continue, we need to renew the contract and keep it alive.
Similarly, if we want to keep our goals alive, we need to renew our commitment (obligation) to achieve them. If you have not achieved a particular goal, you are not ready to terminate that obligation. You need a renewal!
One of my goals for 2016 is to finish writing a book. The purpose of "Goal Setter's Journey" is to share my experience. As an update, I completed a Vision Board for one of the books I am writing. I have written the first four chapters, as well as the final chapter that will end the book. I thought it was a great, original idea to write the last chapter and work toward it, but now I understand that many screenwriters and novelists write the end of the story first! It really makes sense to do it that way. If you want to make sure you arrive at your destination, it is best to have that destination in mind.
So, I needed to fill in the middle chapters. On the Vision Board, I wrote down all the things I wanted to include in the book. With everything in front of me on the board, I was able to work on the chapter titles and sequencing. The Vision Board helped me to see the "big picture"! Now I have a framework and I can continue to write the chapters.
If you seek to renew your goal commitment, make sure you have the "destination" in mind. Have a picture in your mind of the goal you want to achieve. And ask God to help you achieve it!
Devotion
O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! Jeremiah 32:17
Prayer:
Lord, our renewal comes from you. Uplift our hearts and refresh our spirit. Help us not to waste the precious time that you have given to us. Help us to renew our commitment to achieve our goals, and with your power, help us to get there! In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
What's the big deal about "renewal"? In contract law, renewal is a big deal. In my career, I have reviewed hundreds of contracts, carefully scrutinizing the termination provisions. If we don't renew the contract, the obligations will fall away and disappear when the contract terminates. If we want the obligations to continue, we need to renew the contract and keep it alive.
Similarly, if we want to keep our goals alive, we need to renew our commitment (obligation) to achieve them. If you have not achieved a particular goal, you are not ready to terminate that obligation. You need a renewal!
One of my goals for 2016 is to finish writing a book. The purpose of "Goal Setter's Journey" is to share my experience. As an update, I completed a Vision Board for one of the books I am writing. I have written the first four chapters, as well as the final chapter that will end the book. I thought it was a great, original idea to write the last chapter and work toward it, but now I understand that many screenwriters and novelists write the end of the story first! It really makes sense to do it that way. If you want to make sure you arrive at your destination, it is best to have that destination in mind.
So, I needed to fill in the middle chapters. On the Vision Board, I wrote down all the things I wanted to include in the book. With everything in front of me on the board, I was able to work on the chapter titles and sequencing. The Vision Board helped me to see the "big picture"! Now I have a framework and I can continue to write the chapters.
If you seek to renew your goal commitment, make sure you have the "destination" in mind. Have a picture in your mind of the goal you want to achieve. And ask God to help you achieve it!
Devotion
O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! Jeremiah 32:17
Prayer:
Lord, our renewal comes from you. Uplift our hearts and refresh our spirit. Help us not to waste the precious time that you have given to us. Help us to renew our commitment to achieve our goals, and with your power, help us to get there! In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Mindset
Our personal mindset is an important tool that can help or hinder us in our efforts to reach our goals. Perhaps the most productive thing we can do in our goal journeys is to evaluate our mindset. I did this a few years ago after reading a book about mindset. The book made a deep impression on me, and I decided to take a personal inventory of my mindset in each area of my life.
I created a Personal Mindset Inventory Worksheet comprised of four sections. Section I included a list of personal (home- and family-related) areas. Section II included a list of professional (work-related) areas of my life. On the left side, I enumerated all of the areas that I wanted to include in these two sections. On the right-hand side, I included two columns, one for "growth" and one for "fixed" (no growth). For each area that I had listed in Sections I and II, I put a checkmark in the column that I felt corresponded to my mindset in that area. I was really surprised at the result! I considered myself to be a growth-mindset-oriented person, but I discovered quite a few fixed mindset areas in which I was making no progress in my life.
In Section III, I listed all of the fixed mindset areas that I had identified in Sections I and II. I analyzed each area and wrote down the reason that I believed I had a fixed mindset in that area. Some of the reasons were: (1) believing it was impossible; (2) "it's always been done that way"; (3) procrastination; (4) lack of humility to recognize that the area needed change; and (5) lack of a plan or strategy to move forward. So, for example, my personal area of writing books fell into number (3), and my personal area of losing weight fell into numbers (1) and (5). Not deleting e-mails from my overloaded personal e-mail inbox fell into number (2)!!!
Finally, Section IV listed the specific goals that I decided to set. I pulled the goals from the results in Section III. Because I had identified the reason for lack of progress in those areas, I was able to think about a strategy and resources that I needed to move forward. Next to each goal, I listed small steps that I could take to begin to accomplish the goal. This Personal Mindset Inventory Worksheet has really helped me to set goals for the last few years, and it has helped to ensure that I identify areas in my life every year that may be in need of change and growth.
I believe that everyone has growth and fixed areas in their lives. I am willing to bet that even the most successful, growth-minded people have areas in their lives that they seek to improve. After all, humility is a key quality of a growth-minded person! Someone who is growth-mindset-oriented always seeks to learn and improve and change.
Jabez, in the Old Testament, had every reason to have a negative mindset about his life. Even his name meant "pain." But he had faith in God, and the bold prayer of Jabez (see below) reflects his faith and his growth mindset. Note the last part... "And God granted his request."
Devotion
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Prayer:
Lord, we ask you to reveal to us our mindset in the areas we need to change in our lives. Help us to take a personal inventory, in humility, and to seek your help to set our goals. Help us to plan and make a strategy to reach our goals. Give us wisdom and strength. Help us to accomplish what you want us to accomplish. Give us the courage to pray with specificity, as Jabez did. We ask that you bless us in our goal journeys and increase our faith as we move forward. In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
I created a Personal Mindset Inventory Worksheet comprised of four sections. Section I included a list of personal (home- and family-related) areas. Section II included a list of professional (work-related) areas of my life. On the left side, I enumerated all of the areas that I wanted to include in these two sections. On the right-hand side, I included two columns, one for "growth" and one for "fixed" (no growth). For each area that I had listed in Sections I and II, I put a checkmark in the column that I felt corresponded to my mindset in that area. I was really surprised at the result! I considered myself to be a growth-mindset-oriented person, but I discovered quite a few fixed mindset areas in which I was making no progress in my life.
In Section III, I listed all of the fixed mindset areas that I had identified in Sections I and II. I analyzed each area and wrote down the reason that I believed I had a fixed mindset in that area. Some of the reasons were: (1) believing it was impossible; (2) "it's always been done that way"; (3) procrastination; (4) lack of humility to recognize that the area needed change; and (5) lack of a plan or strategy to move forward. So, for example, my personal area of writing books fell into number (3), and my personal area of losing weight fell into numbers (1) and (5). Not deleting e-mails from my overloaded personal e-mail inbox fell into number (2)!!!
Finally, Section IV listed the specific goals that I decided to set. I pulled the goals from the results in Section III. Because I had identified the reason for lack of progress in those areas, I was able to think about a strategy and resources that I needed to move forward. Next to each goal, I listed small steps that I could take to begin to accomplish the goal. This Personal Mindset Inventory Worksheet has really helped me to set goals for the last few years, and it has helped to ensure that I identify areas in my life every year that may be in need of change and growth.
I believe that everyone has growth and fixed areas in their lives. I am willing to bet that even the most successful, growth-minded people have areas in their lives that they seek to improve. After all, humility is a key quality of a growth-minded person! Someone who is growth-mindset-oriented always seeks to learn and improve and change.
Jabez, in the Old Testament, had every reason to have a negative mindset about his life. Even his name meant "pain." But he had faith in God, and the bold prayer of Jabez (see below) reflects his faith and his growth mindset. Note the last part... "And God granted his request."
Devotion
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Prayer:
Lord, we ask you to reveal to us our mindset in the areas we need to change in our lives. Help us to take a personal inventory, in humility, and to seek your help to set our goals. Help us to plan and make a strategy to reach our goals. Give us wisdom and strength. Help us to accomplish what you want us to accomplish. Give us the courage to pray with specificity, as Jabez did. We ask that you bless us in our goal journeys and increase our faith as we move forward. In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Goals 201
Identifying resources is the key to help us reach our goals. Without resources, our goals could remain just dreams or ideas in our minds. We would talk about our goals, possibly for years, without accomplishing them, and we would blame it on lack of time, resources, money, whatever. We need to identify resources in order to understand and recognize that they are within our reach!
What are the possible resources you need to make your dreams and ideas become a reality? It depends, of course, on the goal! It is a very personal decision, but I believe the most important resource to reach any goal is our attitude or mindset. We cannot accomplish our goals if we don't believe we can do it. We will give up at the first challenge, and we'll rationalize it by using the old familiar excuses. So, the middle column of your three-column goal sheet (see "Goals 101") should include "growth mindset" or "positive attitude" next to each goal. It will remind you to evaluate your mindset to see if you need an adjustment in order to achieve success.
Another resource is a strategy, a plan. This type of resource may be developed as you move along your path toward the goal. A methodical plan or approach will help you to manage the steps you need to take and it will make the goal achievable. I believe that executing a plan is the antidote to discouragement and defeat! (This is also a great problem-solving technique.)
Another resource for your goal list is to talk with people who have accomplished a similar goal. Seek opportunities to meet with experts. It's amazing what you can learn from someone over coffee or lunch!
Tangible resources (e.g., money) may also be needed to help you achieve your goal, so you may need to plan a budget or begin a savings plan targeted for the specific goal.
If your list of resources for a particular goal gets out of hand, you may need to whittle it down to a manageable level by identifying the essential and eliminating the non-essential resources. (This is another great problem-solving technique!)
Last week, I learned about an essential resource for my book projects. I had lunch with a friend who is a writer and I explained to her that I was facing the challenge of pulling together the purpose or theme for one of the books I am writing. She suggested that I create a Vision Board. What a great tool! She has used this tool and she assured me that the purpose or theme will come together as I move forward. As she encouraged me, I felt my mindset change from "it seems impossible" to "look at the possibilities!" I am so happy and grateful that she shared this idea with me. I bought poster boards and a package of markers, and I am ready to begin another step in my goal journey! I believe that the Vision Board will help me to get my thoughts organized into a big picture. It will inspire me to come up with more ideas and help me to establish the theme that I am seeking. Maybe this type of tool could be used for other goals, too!
Pursuing goals is a journey! As a goal-setter, you should never say, "it's impossible." Instead, ask yourself, "what resources do I need in order to turn it into a possibility?"
Devotion
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the people you place in our paths to teach us things we need to know. Thank you for the mentors and friends who care about us and who are willing to share their experiences to help us to grow and learn. Help us to keep an open mind and see the possibilities! We ask you to provide the resources we need to help us in our journeys. Help us to be persistent as we seek to discover and accomplish your will for our lives. As we move forward, we will keep our eyes and our hearts focused on you! In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
What are the possible resources you need to make your dreams and ideas become a reality? It depends, of course, on the goal! It is a very personal decision, but I believe the most important resource to reach any goal is our attitude or mindset. We cannot accomplish our goals if we don't believe we can do it. We will give up at the first challenge, and we'll rationalize it by using the old familiar excuses. So, the middle column of your three-column goal sheet (see "Goals 101") should include "growth mindset" or "positive attitude" next to each goal. It will remind you to evaluate your mindset to see if you need an adjustment in order to achieve success.
Another resource is a strategy, a plan. This type of resource may be developed as you move along your path toward the goal. A methodical plan or approach will help you to manage the steps you need to take and it will make the goal achievable. I believe that executing a plan is the antidote to discouragement and defeat! (This is also a great problem-solving technique.)
Another resource for your goal list is to talk with people who have accomplished a similar goal. Seek opportunities to meet with experts. It's amazing what you can learn from someone over coffee or lunch!
Tangible resources (e.g., money) may also be needed to help you achieve your goal, so you may need to plan a budget or begin a savings plan targeted for the specific goal.
If your list of resources for a particular goal gets out of hand, you may need to whittle it down to a manageable level by identifying the essential and eliminating the non-essential resources. (This is another great problem-solving technique!)
Last week, I learned about an essential resource for my book projects. I had lunch with a friend who is a writer and I explained to her that I was facing the challenge of pulling together the purpose or theme for one of the books I am writing. She suggested that I create a Vision Board. What a great tool! She has used this tool and she assured me that the purpose or theme will come together as I move forward. As she encouraged me, I felt my mindset change from "it seems impossible" to "look at the possibilities!" I am so happy and grateful that she shared this idea with me. I bought poster boards and a package of markers, and I am ready to begin another step in my goal journey! I believe that the Vision Board will help me to get my thoughts organized into a big picture. It will inspire me to come up with more ideas and help me to establish the theme that I am seeking. Maybe this type of tool could be used for other goals, too!
Pursuing goals is a journey! As a goal-setter, you should never say, "it's impossible." Instead, ask yourself, "what resources do I need in order to turn it into a possibility?"
Devotion
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the people you place in our paths to teach us things we need to know. Thank you for the mentors and friends who care about us and who are willing to share their experiences to help us to grow and learn. Help us to keep an open mind and see the possibilities! We ask you to provide the resources we need to help us in our journeys. Help us to be persistent as we seek to discover and accomplish your will for our lives. As we move forward, we will keep our eyes and our hearts focused on you! In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
Monday, May 9, 2016
Time For Change
In 2015, my Number 1 goal was to lose weight (same goal I always have when the New Year starts). All through the year, I fluctuated five pounds, up and down. In the end, my weight was up! I went to the doctor in November and found out that my blood sugar was high. OK. Time for change! When I sat down to plan my 2016 goals, I changed my Number 1 goal. I wrote, "Become Healthy," on the paper, along with my other goals for 2016. I did not have a plan yet, but I changed the goal.
I came across a magazine article that mentioned the Wheat Belly book by William Davis, MD. I'll read that book, I thought. I don't know what "gluten-free" really means, but I will try it! The article talked about all the same challenges I was facing... elevated blood sugar, out-of-control appetite, fatigue, and inability to lose weight. It was time for change!
On January 9, I took my Barnes & Noble gift card and bought the Wheat Belly book and Journal. When I got home, I read the first few pages and I thought, this is it! I began my gluten-free lifestyle (not a diet) on January 10. My goal to "become healthy" is being realized! My blood sugar is way down. My fatigue... gone! My appetite (eating whole foods, no gluten) is under control! I've lost 15 pounds! I am so happy!
You may not need to go "gluten-free." But, I believe that, if you are finding that your goal (whatever it may be) is sending you in the wrong direction, it may be time for change! You can alter your goal and find that a new direction is just what you needed!
I was thinking about my change in direction and I realized that my book project has taken a slight detour. I must follow my gut instinct and the Lord's leading. In addition to the novel I am writing, I began writing another book (non-fiction) that I have had in my heart to write. Someone suggested to me that it is OK to have several book projects going on at the same time. I can sit down and work on the book that I feel motivated to work on at that moment. That seems to be working well for me.
Are you making progress toward your goals? Are you praying for the Lord's leading? Is it time to re-evaluate your goals and move in a different direction? Now is the time to think about how you are doing with your 2016 goals. This year is going to be half-way done at the end of next month! Time is going by fast. Is it time for change?
Devotion
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12
Prayer:
Lord, we ask you to move in our hearts and set us in the right direction. If a change is needed, please convict our hearts and help us to re-examine and re-define our goals. We know sometimes we need a change in order to move forward. We need a renewal! We ask you to cleanse our hearts and renew our spirit. We turn to you and trust you to lead us through a change in direction. Thank you for giving us hope in the future and help in the present. In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
I came across a magazine article that mentioned the Wheat Belly book by William Davis, MD. I'll read that book, I thought. I don't know what "gluten-free" really means, but I will try it! The article talked about all the same challenges I was facing... elevated blood sugar, out-of-control appetite, fatigue, and inability to lose weight. It was time for change!
On January 9, I took my Barnes & Noble gift card and bought the Wheat Belly book and Journal. When I got home, I read the first few pages and I thought, this is it! I began my gluten-free lifestyle (not a diet) on January 10. My goal to "become healthy" is being realized! My blood sugar is way down. My fatigue... gone! My appetite (eating whole foods, no gluten) is under control! I've lost 15 pounds! I am so happy!
You may not need to go "gluten-free." But, I believe that, if you are finding that your goal (whatever it may be) is sending you in the wrong direction, it may be time for change! You can alter your goal and find that a new direction is just what you needed!
I was thinking about my change in direction and I realized that my book project has taken a slight detour. I must follow my gut instinct and the Lord's leading. In addition to the novel I am writing, I began writing another book (non-fiction) that I have had in my heart to write. Someone suggested to me that it is OK to have several book projects going on at the same time. I can sit down and work on the book that I feel motivated to work on at that moment. That seems to be working well for me.
Are you making progress toward your goals? Are you praying for the Lord's leading? Is it time to re-evaluate your goals and move in a different direction? Now is the time to think about how you are doing with your 2016 goals. This year is going to be half-way done at the end of next month! Time is going by fast. Is it time for change?
Devotion
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12
Prayer:
Lord, we ask you to move in our hearts and set us in the right direction. If a change is needed, please convict our hearts and help us to re-examine and re-define our goals. We know sometimes we need a change in order to move forward. We need a renewal! We ask you to cleanse our hearts and renew our spirit. We turn to you and trust you to lead us through a change in direction. Thank you for giving us hope in the future and help in the present. In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Goals Can Be Fun
There is something very satisfying about taking steps to reach a goal. You feel as if you are in control, finally, of something that you have been wanting to do. And, you know if you keep going, you will accomplish it! That is a great feeling. You breathe in deeply and say to yourself, "I can do it!" That's why I believe in problem-solving techniques, which are really the same as goal-setting techniques. As you identify the problem or goal and the resources you need to tackle it, and the steps, no matter how small, that you can begin to take right away, well... something happens. Your attitude changes from discouragement (you can't seem to tackle a problem and you don't know where to start) to encouragement (you found a way to solve the problem and you have taken the first step)! When your attitude changes, your motivation increases!
Of course, goals are not just things we do to solve problems. They are accomplishments we work hard to achieve... the Master's Degree, the published book, the marathon, the new start-up company! Time goes by so fast... you're going to be 50 next year. Why not turn 50 and accomplish your goal? If you are going to be 50 anyways, you might as well be 50 and have a Master's Degree!
So, I have begun writing my book. I did a lot of "set-up" work. First, I met with a lawyer a few weeks ago about some legal questions I had about writing and publishing. Then I started writing down ideas and character names. It's hard to get started unless you have your characters established. I know that I need to map out my chapters and create a spreadsheet of my characters. But, it really seemed that the "set-up" work would never end... it could just go on and on. When would I actually start writing? I kept putting it off until I would have everything perfectly set, ready for the book to begin.
Enough of that! I sat down at my computer yesterday and starting writing the first chapter. It poured out of me! Oh, what a relief! I finished the first chapter and I thought, this is what it feels like to have something in your heart and you pour it out into a document! I couldn't wait to write the second chapter. So, late last night, I wrote the second chapter. I am ready to begin the third chapter! It is so gratifying and so exciting! I knew deep down in my heart that, as soon as I would start writing, the book would pour out of me. My enthusiasm and motivation are increasing with every step I take!
I'm sure I have no idea of the challenges ahead as I write this book, but it sure feels great to see my words come alive in the document on the computer. Some day soon, I will see my book published! That is my goal, and it feels really good to work towards accomplishing it. The fun has begun, and it is giving me a renewed purpose! I'm happy to say I am enjoying the process! I hope you, too, are enjoying working towards accomplishing your goals!
Devotion
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Prayer:
Lord, we trust you to take us on our goal journeys. We ask for wisdom each day as we face challenges and new adventures. Help us to enjoy life, enjoy the day that you have given to us, and enjoy our relationship with you. Today, help us to see new things in your creation and appreciate you in new ways. We acknowledge you as our Creator, and we will keep our hearts focused on you as we move along on the paths you have set for us to take. In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
Of course, goals are not just things we do to solve problems. They are accomplishments we work hard to achieve... the Master's Degree, the published book, the marathon, the new start-up company! Time goes by so fast... you're going to be 50 next year. Why not turn 50 and accomplish your goal? If you are going to be 50 anyways, you might as well be 50 and have a Master's Degree!
So, I have begun writing my book. I did a lot of "set-up" work. First, I met with a lawyer a few weeks ago about some legal questions I had about writing and publishing. Then I started writing down ideas and character names. It's hard to get started unless you have your characters established. I know that I need to map out my chapters and create a spreadsheet of my characters. But, it really seemed that the "set-up" work would never end... it could just go on and on. When would I actually start writing? I kept putting it off until I would have everything perfectly set, ready for the book to begin.
Enough of that! I sat down at my computer yesterday and starting writing the first chapter. It poured out of me! Oh, what a relief! I finished the first chapter and I thought, this is what it feels like to have something in your heart and you pour it out into a document! I couldn't wait to write the second chapter. So, late last night, I wrote the second chapter. I am ready to begin the third chapter! It is so gratifying and so exciting! I knew deep down in my heart that, as soon as I would start writing, the book would pour out of me. My enthusiasm and motivation are increasing with every step I take!
I'm sure I have no idea of the challenges ahead as I write this book, but it sure feels great to see my words come alive in the document on the computer. Some day soon, I will see my book published! That is my goal, and it feels really good to work towards accomplishing it. The fun has begun, and it is giving me a renewed purpose! I'm happy to say I am enjoying the process! I hope you, too, are enjoying working towards accomplishing your goals!
Devotion
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Prayer:
Lord, we trust you to take us on our goal journeys. We ask for wisdom each day as we face challenges and new adventures. Help us to enjoy life, enjoy the day that you have given to us, and enjoy our relationship with you. Today, help us to see new things in your creation and appreciate you in new ways. We acknowledge you as our Creator, and we will keep our hearts focused on you as we move along on the paths you have set for us to take. In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
Sunday, April 10, 2016
10 Minutes A Day
One of my all-time favorite movies is "Rudy," based on the true story of a young man whose dream was to play football at Notre Dame. When he finally decided to make his dream come true, he took the first step: he got on a bus to South Bend, Indiana. That was a life-changing decision. He didn't necessarily know all the steps that would come next, but at least he was heading in the right direction... to Notre Dame!
If you have identified your goal and you need some encouragement to "get on the bus," I recommend that you read the first six chapters of the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Nehemiah was cupbearer to the King of Persia. God put the plans in Nehemiah's heart to rebuild the wall surrounding Jerusalem. This was an enormous goal, but with prayer and planning, and then a bold request to his boss, King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah secured the King's permission and support, and he headed to Jerusalem. Nehemiah shared his plan with the Jewish leaders, who agreed to help him rebuild the wall. Brick by brick, and with God's protection against the strong opposition of their enemies, Nehemiah and the Jewish people rebuilt the gates and the entire wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem.
My goals cannot be compared to the story of Nehemiah. However, my "10 minutes a day" approach is a concept similar to building a wall, "brick by brick." I need to take bite-size steps when moving toward a goal. If the steps are too big, I am inclined to procrastinate, telling myself that I don't have time today, so maybe I'll get to it tomorrow. Guess what happens the next day? I still don't have time! But, if I plan on just 10 minutes, then I will do it, and chances are, I probably will spend 20 or 30 minutes or more (e.g., exercising).
If you can find 10 minutes in a day, then you can do SOMETHING! You will exercise on the elliptical, you will clean that closet, and you will write that book! Little by little, brick by brick, you move in the direction of accomplishing your goal. Also, if you lapse for a few days, just tell yourself you only need 10 minutes to get started again. That simple rule makes it easier to resume your plan toward your goal!
Devotion
So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. Nehemiah 6:15-16
Prayer:
Lord, our dreams may seem impossible in our own minds, but nothing is impossible with you. Please strengthen our faith to see that our dreams come from you. We ask for your help to take small steps, just 10 minutes a day, to move toward accomplishing our goals. We are inspired by Nehemiah, and we, too, pray boldly that you would grant us success! In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
If you have identified your goal and you need some encouragement to "get on the bus," I recommend that you read the first six chapters of the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Nehemiah was cupbearer to the King of Persia. God put the plans in Nehemiah's heart to rebuild the wall surrounding Jerusalem. This was an enormous goal, but with prayer and planning, and then a bold request to his boss, King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah secured the King's permission and support, and he headed to Jerusalem. Nehemiah shared his plan with the Jewish leaders, who agreed to help him rebuild the wall. Brick by brick, and with God's protection against the strong opposition of their enemies, Nehemiah and the Jewish people rebuilt the gates and the entire wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem.
My goals cannot be compared to the story of Nehemiah. However, my "10 minutes a day" approach is a concept similar to building a wall, "brick by brick." I need to take bite-size steps when moving toward a goal. If the steps are too big, I am inclined to procrastinate, telling myself that I don't have time today, so maybe I'll get to it tomorrow. Guess what happens the next day? I still don't have time! But, if I plan on just 10 minutes, then I will do it, and chances are, I probably will spend 20 or 30 minutes or more (e.g., exercising).
If you can find 10 minutes in a day, then you can do SOMETHING! You will exercise on the elliptical, you will clean that closet, and you will write that book! Little by little, brick by brick, you move in the direction of accomplishing your goal. Also, if you lapse for a few days, just tell yourself you only need 10 minutes to get started again. That simple rule makes it easier to resume your plan toward your goal!
Devotion
So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. Nehemiah 6:15-16
Prayer:
Lord, our dreams may seem impossible in our own minds, but nothing is impossible with you. Please strengthen our faith to see that our dreams come from you. We ask for your help to take small steps, just 10 minutes a day, to move toward accomplishing our goals. We are inspired by Nehemiah, and we, too, pray boldly that you would grant us success! In Jesus' name, Amen.
© 2016 Linda Lijewski
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