How To Make 2019 Your Best Year Ever
While in Dallas over Thanksgiving, my family got together at my sister-in-law’s house for dinner and an evening of fun. While we were all gathered together at her home, she introduced us to a very cool concept she had purchased from a website called myintent.org. The challenge is to identify “one word” that best describes your intent to live out in your life. It could be a word that describes a virtue you want more of in your life. It could be a challenge you want to overcome. It could be what you’re most passionate about or what you want to see happen in your life. Whatever your intent is, the goal is to capture it in one word and keep it visible to serve as a constant reminder of your intent.
As we embark upon the new calendar year, what word are you willing to claim or identify as your word for 2019? What is your intent for 2019? What do you want to see happen in your life, career, marriage, family, health, etc.? The bigger question is how are you going to achieve your goal or see your word become a reality in your life this year?
The key is not to work harder, but S.M.A.R.T.E.R. In his book called Your Best Year Ever, Michael Hyatt shares a 5-step framework for achieving your goals and realizing your dreams. Here is a summary of seven attributes below:
S – Specific
The benefit of identifying one word to represent your most intended desire or goal is that it forces you to be specific. Too often, our goals fail and our best intentions go unfulfilled simply because they are too vague. Don’t just say you want to lose weight in 2019, say you want to lose 20 pounds. Whatever your intent or goal is, be specific.
M – Measurable
Your goal or intentions must have certain criteria you use to measure yourself against. Let’s go back to the weight loss goal example. If your goal is to lose 20 pounds, perhaps you set a goal to lose 5 pounds by March 31. This is not only specific but measurable.
A – Actionable
What action are you going to take? Put a verb in front of it. Walk 30 minutes five times per week. Stop drinking soft drinks. Meet with a trainer three days a week.
R – Risky
We should always set goals or be intentional about achieving certain outcomes that are realistic. However, we don’t want to set the bar too low. In order for our intentions to become a reality, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zone and push ourselves to go for it so that we have no regrets.
T – Time Keyed
Deadlines demand attention and spur action. Don’t make your goals too long-term because you’ll lose motivation. It’s good to make 7-10 measurable goals per year, but it’s best to accomplish two to three goals per quarter. However, you don’t want to make March 31 the same deadline for all of those two or three goals. Instead, spread them out in order to achieve momentum. Celebrate every time you achieve a goal.
E – Exciting
Your goals must inspire you. Your “what” needs a “why.” When you know your “why,” it serves as constant motivation to keep pursuing your dream, achieving your goals and to experience your “one word” for 2019.
R – Relevant (pertains to your season of life)
I’ve heard people say, “Life is like a marathon, you have to pace yourself.” I prefer to see it more like a series of short sprints. However, it’s also made up of seasons. We have to keep in perspective the season we’re in when it comes to achieving certain goals and aspirations. For example, if you’re a young mom with a newborn or toddlers, this might not be the season of setting a goal to read 10 books this year. As a college student, this might not be the season you set a goal to increase your income by 25% this year. You get the point.
Choose a word that best represents “your intent” and own it this year. Commit to working smarter on achieving your goals. Let’s commit to making 2019 our best year ever. It’s time to go for it!
Rodney Gage is an author, speaker and the founding pastor of ReThink Life Church that meets at Lake Nona High School. His passion is to help people live life on purpose. To learn more, check out rethinklife.com.
