Beyond the Resolutions: Ideas for Staying on Track
If you’re like many people, you may have made some resolutions at the beginning of the year with the best of intentions, but you may be struggling to stay on track now that the year is already underway.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we give you practical tips and strategies for keeping your resolutions and staying motivated, even after the initial excitement of the new year has worn off. You got this!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- Reasons why some people don’t want to set goals.
- Tips on effective goal setting that works.
- 7 ideas for staying on track with your resolutions.
- How to get started, stay motivated, and be kind to yourself.
From this episode:
“It’s important to believe in your own ability to make lasting changes in your life and achieve your goals–with God’s strength and guidance. This doesn’t mean that you won’t face challenges or setbacks along the way – everyone does. However, it’s important to approach your goals with a positive attitude and a belief that you are capable of making progress. And remember, you are absolutely loved and accepted by God regardless of your performance or failed attempts.“
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
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Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and missional living.
Get the Everyday Disciple Workshop today!
Discipleship Resources from Missio Publishing
Transcript
It's important to believe in your own ability to make lasting changes in your life and achieve your goals with God's strength and guidance.
Caesar Kalinowski:So you're not doing this alone.
Caesar Kalinowski:You're not just making these up and winging it, but believe you can make changes.
Caesar Kalinowski:Some people don't feel like they can.
Caesar Kalinowski:This is it.
Caesar Kalinowski:This is the best it's gonna be.
Caesar Kalinowski:No Uhuh not with God.
Caesar Kalinowski:This doesn't mean that you won't face challenges or setbacks along the way cuz everyone does.
Caesar Kalinowski:However, it's important to approach your goals with a positive attitude and believing that you're capable of making progress.
Caesar Kalinowski:Of course, that's gonna be easier than well, you'll never make it, you know?
Caesar Kalinowski:Remember, you're absolutely loved and accepted by God regardless of your performance or past failed attempts.
Caesar Kalinowski:Did you hear that?
Caesar Kalinowski:You are absolutely loved and accepted by God regardless of your performance or past failed attempts.
Caesar Kalinowski:Trust him to guide your goal setting and achieving.
Caesar Kalinowski:You can.
Caesar Kalinowski:You can trust him.
Announcer:Welcome to the Everyday Disciple Podcast, where you'll learn how to live with greater intentionality and an integrated faith that naturally fits into every area of life.
Announcer:In other words, discipleship as a lifestyle.
Announcer:This is the stuff your parents, pastors and seminary professors probably forgot to tell you.
Announcer:And now here's your host, Caesar Kalinowski.
Caesar Kalinowski:Oh man.
Caesar Kalinowski:How are you doing?
Caesar Kalinowski:Are you excited for the year ahead?
Caesar Kalinowski:We sure are.
Caesar Kalinowski:We really are.
Caesar Kalinowski:I'm really excited about a whole lot of stuff that's coming up.
Caesar Kalinowski:It seems like God is definitely up to something, kinda get that sense hopefully often, but I, I feel like we get that sense every.
Caesar Kalinowski:Few years or something.
Caesar Kalinowski:And since like Tina and I both together, God's up to something, he's guiding us to some new thoughts and challenges, new ways to equip more leaders and Disciple makers.
Caesar Kalinowski:So yeah, I'm pretty excited for the year ahead.
Caesar Kalinowski:And what lies, I hope you are too.
Caesar Kalinowski:I really do.
Caesar Kalinowski:Now, one thing that's coming up in the weeks ahead, and it's gonna be a brand new way to engage with us in our coaching, in our mentorship
Caesar Kalinowski:you know, I oftentimes will bring up, Hey, if you're interested in coaching, let us know and I can tell you all about it and you can find out more information.
Caesar Kalinowski:But we are always looking for ways to make it more accessible, make it more beneficial, greater impact, easier to adhere to, and engaging in all that.
Caesar Kalinowski:And we've been working hard on some ways to make.
Caesar Kalinowski:The coaching that way.
Caesar Kalinowski:And I'm gonna be letting you know really a whole lot about that really, really soon.
Caesar Kalinowski:Okay.
Caesar Kalinowski:So kind of get excited cuz like we're gonna make this all so much easier to engage in for you and be able to, to get to know you and work with you in coaching.
Caesar Kalinowski:So, but that's coming and I'll probably give you the full rundown on an episode real soon here in a week or two.
Caesar Kalinowski:But if you just can't wait and you wanna know more sooner, let me know just email me Caesar at everyday Disciple dot com or you know, you can go to our coaching page and there's just a little mini form and say, Hey, I wanna know more about the coaching and I'll hop on a zoom call with you, or whatever, any of that.
Caesar Kalinowski:Okay, but this is your year.
Caesar Kalinowski:Let's do this.
Caesar Kalinowski:Let's quit putting this off.
Caesar Kalinowski:Let's keep think, not thinking that well, we're just too busy or whatever.
Caesar Kalinowski:Let's, let's move past that.
Caesar Kalinowski:I would love to tell you a little bit more about the coaching and mentorship we offer and help you really grow in your spiritual freedom, relational peace Disciple making this year.
Caesar Kalinowski:Okay, so let me know or just go over to everyday Disciple dot com slash coaching and you can get a little bit of information there.
Caesar Kalinowski:Things are changing though, but let me know in the form and we'll hop on a call.
Caesar Kalinowski:All right.
Caesar Kalinowski:Now.
Caesar Kalinowski:Also another thing, drum roll that we're really excited about here at Everyday Disciple, we're now officially partnering with Missio Publishing.
Caesar Kalinowski:You know, I've told you in the past they kind of helped make the podcast possible and they published some of my books.
Caesar Kalinowski:Well, we've kind of done a merger of sorts.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's gonna be one sort, enhanced.
Caesar Kalinowski:Ministry together, we'll be working together to create more discipleship resources and tools.
Caesar Kalinowski:New books coming out, not only from me but from others.
Caesar Kalinowski:I've actually just finished a book of Gospel centered affirmations to really help drive our Gospel identity deeper into our daily lives and all that.
Caesar Kalinowski:All kinds of things are coming.
Caesar Kalinowski:You'll be hearing more about that as well from me, but right now I just say, Hey, head over to missio publishing.com and check out the resources that are currently available.
Caesar Kalinowski:There's so many cool things.
Caesar Kalinowski:I was just hearing today that the Gospel primer continues to fly, just fly out of the warehouse, and that they're, they're gonna be needing to order a whole bunch more of that.
Caesar Kalinowski:So praise God for that.
Caesar Kalinowski:Uh, really praise God for that.
Caesar Kalinowski:And how many churches are choosing to use the Gospel Primer Church wide?
Caesar Kalinowski:and have all their small groups or community groups going through the Gospel primer.
Caesar Kalinowski:In many cases, they say, well, our church doesn't even have groups, but we introduced the Gospel primer to 'em.
Caesar Kalinowski:They got all excited and they formed groups, and now we do have groups and they're starting with the Gospel.
Caesar Kalinowski:So really, really cool.
Caesar Kalinowski:Go over to missio publishing.com.
Caesar Kalinowski:Check that out.
Caesar Kalinowski:But there's a whole lot more stuff coming really soon.
Caesar Kalinowski:Now let's get to today's topic.
Caesar Kalinowski:We have been spending a lot of time this last month or so with our coaching folks, the people we coach, discussing, hey, what lies in the year head, and discussing something that is called BHAGs.
Caesar Kalinowski:And if you know the term, you already know it.
Caesar Kalinowski:It comes from a book by Collins, I think it's called Good To Great.
Caesar Kalinowski:And BHAG is a big hairy, audacious goal.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's an acronym, B H A G, big hairy, audacious goal.
Caesar Kalinowski:And we talked a lot about bhag.
Caesar Kalinowski:With the folks that we coach, like what would be, something just would be so amazing if in the next year this we were able to accomplish this as a family or as a church or our Missional Community was able to do this or that.
Caesar Kalinowski:And then we talked about how to break that down into achievable goals and what types of mechanisms.
Caesar Kalinowski:Would help them accomplish that.
Caesar Kalinowski:And what, what I mean by mechanisms is what would be the thing that if you started doing this little thing, it would start to produce the bhag?
Caesar Kalinowski:Or there might be a series of little mechanisms like, Hey, as long as we're doing this, this starts to happen, or, we're not gonna get to do this anymore unless we accomplish this first.
Caesar Kalinowski:That's the mechanism that keeps us on track and moving towards our bhag, our goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:. And, and then we also talked a lot about this idea of what's your one thing each day to move towards your goals, move towards this bhag, this big, hairy, audacious goal that would change everything.
Caesar Kalinowski:And so what we do is in, in, with coaching, we all keep each other accountable.
Caesar Kalinowski:Like, Hey, what's your one thing today?
Caesar Kalinowski:So we've kind of set some BHAGs and, and then we're asking each other, Hey, what's your one?
Caesar Kalinowski:So at least one thing each day.
Caesar Kalinowski:It might be reading a book, it might be making a phone call, it might be having a meal with somebody.
Caesar Kalinowski:It might be inviting a neighbor over whatever your BHAG would be.
Caesar Kalinowski:Whatever your big, hairy, audacious goal is.
Caesar Kalinowski:What if you just chipped away at and every single day you did one thing?
Caesar Kalinowski:So we've been spending a lot of time talking about that.
Caesar Kalinowski:I know at this time of year, lot of people have set goals for the year and New Year's resolutions and things like that.
Caesar Kalinowski:And a lot of people don't like doing 'em though.
Caesar Kalinowski:I know that that I think that used to be me and I don't necessarily right now make like what I call my New Year's resolutions, but I am a big goal setter.
Caesar Kalinowski:I I really think setting goals is a way of trusting God for the future.
Caesar Kalinowski:You know, we pray, we let God inform where we think he's taken us, and then in faith we go, okay, then we're gonna believe you for that.
Caesar Kalinowski:And so setting goals in our world, in our, in our hearts, is a way of trusting God for the future.
Caesar Kalinowski:But not everybody's into setting goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:Here's, here's some common reasons that I've run into why people don't like to set goals or maybe New Year's resolutions first.
Caesar Kalinowski:Oftentimes it's a fear of failure.
Caesar Kalinowski:A lot of folks can be hesitant to set goals because they're afraid they might fail, you know, or they won't live up to their own expectations.
Caesar Kalinowski:And so it's Laura's fear of man kind of thing, but it's me, , and so you know what?
Caesar Kalinowski:The surest way to not fail at a goal is don't set it.
Caesar Kalinowski:So that's a reason.
Caesar Kalinowski:Maybe you've experienced some of that.
Caesar Kalinowski:I think I probably have, uh, another reason is lack of motivation.
Caesar Kalinowski:It can be really difficult to stay motivated and committed to goals, especially like a bhag, a big hair audacious goal.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's gonna take a consistent intentionality, like what's that one thing today?
Caesar Kalinowski:Right?
Caesar Kalinowski:And so for some people it's a lack of motivation setting some goals can seem too big or overwhelming.
Caesar Kalinowski:But you can set small goals too, and that's still gonna move you forward anyway.
Caesar Kalinowski:Uh, here's another reason a lot of people don't like set goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:Lack of time.
Caesar Kalinowski:You know, people feel like they don't have enough time to work towards goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:Like just what I got going on is kind of filling up everything, uh, and the commitments I already have.
Caesar Kalinowski:So sometimes lack of time keeps us from setting goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:Lack of confidence can keep us from setting goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:That's kind of that same thing with fear of failure.
Caesar Kalinowski:Maybe you've tried in the past didn't work a couple of times you set goals, never even looked at 'em again.
Caesar Kalinowski:I think the word on the street sort of is that the average New Year's resolutions, people have broken 'em or failed at 'em 11 days into the year.
Caesar Kalinowski:What Crazy.
Caesar Kalinowski:Another reason people don't like setting goals is past failures.
Caesar Kalinowski:You know, you try to set goals and maybe in the past, again, you were unsuccessful and so you go like, it's never worked for me.
Caesar Kalinowski:I just gave that up years ago.
Caesar Kalinowski:Hmm.
Caesar Kalinowski:There again, it's kind of a, I think it gets to be a way of trusting God for your future and then some people just don't like change.
Caesar Kalinowski:You know, making changes, even positive ones can be difficult and feel uncomfortable.
Caesar Kalinowski:I know it's gonna be maybe a letting go of this to achieve that goal and so people can be hesitant to setting goals cuz they're not used to making changes or they're afraid of the unknown right.
Caesar Kalinowski:Maybe you felt some of these.
Caesar Kalinowski:Anyway, those are some reasons people don't set goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:I hope, like Tina and I and the folks that we coach, I hope you have set some goals for the year, for your family life, for your spiritual life, maybe your health, and certainly for the mission for making disciples who make disciples and multiplying communities and leaders and all that kind of stuff.
Caesar Kalinowski:I really hope you have.
Caesar Kalinowski:Now there's also, there's some good news, a bunch of reasons why people may want to set New Year's resolutions or write down their goals kind of thing and, and some of those are like a desire for some self-improvement.
Caesar Kalinowski:Many people set their New Year's resolutions as a way to make positive changes in their personal life and increasingly embrace their true identity in a fuller way.
Caesar Kalinowski:And this might include, like I said, goals related to health or career or relationships or personal growth and hopefully.
Caesar Kalinowski:Growing spiritually.
Caesar Kalinowski:Do you, do you think about that?
Caesar Kalinowski:Do you set any grow growth goals for your spirituality, your relationship with father?
Caesar Kalinowski:Yeah.
Caesar Kalinowski:Uh, here's another great reason to set some goals and, and New Year's resolutions.
Caesar Kalinowski:Uh, you have a sense of accomplishment instead of just like, wow, I can't believe it's Christmas again.
Caesar Kalinowski:I can't believe it's the new year or whatever.
Caesar Kalinowski:Achieving a goal can be really rewarding.
Caesar Kalinowski:It can be really satisfying.
Caesar Kalinowski:So setting resolutions can give you something to work towards and feel proud of.
Caesar Kalinowski:You know how it is if you're going to the gym or you're getting ready to run a race, or maybe you're set a sales goal or whatever, you stay intentional to hit that, and then you go, whoa, we did see, and you, you feel this real sense of accomplishment versus just time just keeps slipping by.
Caesar Kalinowski:We're just kind of doing or not doing the same old, same old.
Caesar Kalinowski:Good reason a lot of people set goals and resolutions is a sense of accomplishment.
Caesar Kalinowski:Another, another really good reason is to build better habits.
Caesar Kalinowski:Resolutions and goals can be really helpful.
Caesar Kalinowski:Establishing new habits or breaking old ones that may be holding you back and you know it.
Caesar Kalinowski:I feel like I live in that thing.
Caesar Kalinowski:I'm always trying to add.
Caesar Kalinowski:Habits and take away habits.
Caesar Kalinowski:maybe eventually I'll arrive and they'll only be good ones.
Caesar Kalinowski:I don't know.
Caesar Kalinowski:Also, uh, setting goals and having New Year's resolutions can awesome.
Caesar Kalinowski:Be an awesome way to sort of have a new fresh start.
Caesar Kalinowski:You know, like, okay, I'm drawing a line in the sand and, you know, To start a new year with some new goals and resolutions.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's, it's a great time to reflect on the past and think about what we want to change and, okay, this is it.
Caesar Kalinowski:We, we're not getting, we're not staying stuck here anymore.
Caesar Kalinowski:We're going to, we're gonna work on this, or we're gonna get the help we need, or like the folks in coaching, or we're gonna talk about it with others, build some accountability, and we're gonna get going.
Caesar Kalinowski:So it's this desire for a fresh start, right?
Caesar Kalinowski:Also, another really good reason for setting goals and resolutions is a need for some structure.
Caesar Kalinowski:Yeah.
Caesar Kalinowski:Structure and motivation because for some people, setting their resolutions provides a structure and motivation instead of just, well, I, I wanna get better at it.
Caesar Kalinowski:And it's real vague.
Caesar Kalinowski:Right?
Caesar Kalinowski:And you don't know.
Caesar Kalinowski:But if you, if you do it well, and I'm gonna give you some tips here on how to do this in a second, then it, it can be really, Motivating cuz you're breaking it down.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's clear, sort of the idea behind the bhag, the big hair audacious goal.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's really clear.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's highly motivating to you, your family, people in your community, when as soon as you talk about it, they're like, yes, that would be amazing.
Caesar Kalinowski:So it can be very motivating.
Caesar Kalinowski:And then, Another really good reason, this is kind of a big, sort of umbrella.
Caesar Kalinowski:One is a lot of people set resolutions and goals because they have a desire to make some positive changes in their own world.
Caesar Kalinowski:Like, you know, like we really wanna see multiplication of disciples in communities in our city wanna see everybody have access to the Gospel and and relationship with Jesus, or they wanna make positive changes in the world yeah, some people set their resolutions as a way to make positive impact through charitable work or maybe environmental activism or some other form of social good for us.
Caesar Kalinowski:We've been involved in all kinds of those things, but we always connect it to Disciple making and building relationships.
Caesar Kalinowski:So yeah, like we see goal setting as a way like to be contributing to the.
Caesar Kalinowski:Kingdom come more and more people getting to experience God's grace and goodness and generosity.
Caesar Kalinowski:So it's not just pragmatism.
Caesar Kalinowski:See what I mean?
Caesar Kalinowski:So there's some reasons why people don't like setting goals, and there's a bunch of really good ones for why.
Caesar Kalinowski:Maybe you'd want to if you haven't yet.
Caesar Kalinowski:Now let me give you some ideas for staying on track with your resolutions and goals, cuz like I said, I think it's the common belief out there.
Caesar Kalinowski:It takes about 11 days or something like that.
Caesar Kalinowski:An average person's starting to fall off the cliff and not do it.
Caesar Kalinowski:So here's some ideas for staying on track with your resolutions and goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:First, I got seven of these, right?
Caesar Kalinowski:Good number.
Caesar Kalinowski:I know.
Caesar Kalinowski:First, review your goals regularly.
Caesar Kalinowski:Yeah, like with our coaching, everybody has a roadmap and I'm like, please print that out.
Caesar Kalinowski:Have that laying around.
Caesar Kalinowski:Keep that where you pray.
Caesar Kalinowski:Keep that near your Bible, keep that on your desk.
Caesar Kalinowski:Pa pa, paste that up, whatever.
Caesar Kalinowski:So, and here would be an idea, set aside a specific time each week, like maybe on a Sunday evening.
Caesar Kalinowski:I find that to be a really good time.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's usually just kind of quiet and like, you know, like when we had the kids and our grandkids, they're down for the night or whatever, and we're looking at the week ahead.
Caesar Kalinowski:That's a great time to review your goals and I would say do it as a couple if you're married, and, and, and also to assess your progress.
Caesar Kalinowski:How are we doing at hitting these goals or what's our one thing this week we're gonna work on that's gonna move us towards that?
Caesar Kalinowski:It'll really help you stay focused and motivated, and it'll also allow you to make some.
Caesar Kalinowski:Maybe necessary adjustments to your plan.
Caesar Kalinowski:If you are doing a weekly look at your goals and, and assessing how you're doing and moving forward, and you keep noticing, like I keep saying I'm gonna do this on Wednesdays every week, but it ain't happening.
Caesar Kalinowski:Well, maybe there's a different day or maybe a different time, or maybe you need to take that particular goal or resolution and break it down into some smaller pieces or create some mechanisms like I was talking about.
Caesar Kalinowski:Okay, but really important to review your goals regularly, to keep 'em in front of you.
Caesar Kalinowski:Visualize those things, see them, think through them, pray over them.
Caesar Kalinowski:Next thing number two would be to stay accountable.
Caesar Kalinowski:Share your goals with your spouse or a friend or some other accountability partner, and check in with them regularly to report on your progress.
Caesar Kalinowski:I know this seems weird.
Caesar Kalinowski:A lot of people just set their goals and then they don't wanna tell anybody about them.
Caesar Kalinowski:You know, back to that reason, cuz maybe I'll fail or whatever.
Caesar Kalinowski:But I'll tell you, if you, if you're building your own accountability to like, this is our BHAG for the year, or this is a couple of goals we have and we're breaking that down, here's a couple of mechanisms and you share your progress regularly with someone else, it's gonna really help you.
Caesar Kalinowski:That accountability will, it'll help keep you motivated and on track.
Caesar Kalinowski:And I think accountability in that way is really, really good Number three would be track your progress.
Caesar Kalinowski:The other ones kind of dip into that a little bit, but I, I like to have my goals written and I like to be able to write down what am I getting done and check.
Caesar Kalinowski:I love checking things off and all that.
Caesar Kalinowski:So use a journal or maybe a spreadsheet online or some sort of app to track your progress.
Caesar Kalinowski:That'll help, really help you stay on track.
Caesar Kalinowski:And like I said, seeing your progress in writing, like seeing your goals in writing and then seeing your progress in writing.
Caesar Kalinowski:Yeah, it could be a really powerful motivator.
Caesar Kalinowski:There again, it can also help you identify any areas that you might need to adjust your plan.
Caesar Kalinowski:Because you get to, like, I think some people feel like when you, when you make a goal or, or a resolution, you just, it's set in stone.
Caesar Kalinowski:You just poured cement and there's no change in it.
Caesar Kalinowski:That's not true.
Caesar Kalinowski:I'm, I'm tweaking a changing, uh, my goals and timelines and how I'm gonna accomplish it and what resources are gonna be allocated to what all the time.
Caesar Kalinowski:Okay.
Caesar Kalinowski:Now number four is don't get discouraged by setbacks.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's really normal . It's normal to have setbacks or even to lose a little motivation at times, but that doesn't mean, well, you know, I, I missed a couple of days I was gonna eat better or I was planning to go to the gym three times a week earlier and I didn't, so I'm all, it's over.
Caesar Kalinowski:No, don't, don't.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's gonna happen.
Caesar Kalinowski:Just remember that progress is often really incremental.
Caesar Kalinowski:That's why I like that idea of what's your one thing.
Caesar Kalinowski:, what's the one thing you're gonna do to move towards your goals?
Caesar Kalinowski:Or it could even be this week.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's okay to take a break if you need to.
Caesar Kalinowski:Like, Hey, we're going on vacation.
Caesar Kalinowski:Or, I remember last year, Tina and I, we got sick.
Caesar Kalinowski:We had, I don't know what flus or Covid or whatever it was.
Caesar Kalinowski:And, and we just had to put some things a little bit on pause.
Caesar Kalinowski:So don't get discouraged and give up on your goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:Maybe just cuz you had a bad week or month.
Caesar Kalinowski:All right.
Caesar Kalinowski:And find ways to stay motivated.
Caesar Kalinowski:Yeah, find ways that, what, what would motivate you to do that.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's not just sort of thinking about 'em and not writing 'em down and not telling anybody, but like, surround yourself with supportive people who encourage you, help you stay motivated.
Caesar Kalinowski:Keep reminding yourself of the benefits of reaching this goal or these goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:And, and I like to do this too, and I, I haven't always been good at this, but I like to reward myself for progress.
Caesar Kalinowski:Well, if I hit a goal, you know, maybe I'm taking the afternoon off.
Caesar Kalinowski:I'm Tina and I are gonna go out and celebrate cuz like that was a lot of work.
Caesar Kalinowski:That took a lot of intentionality and we, we've, by God's grace, we've hit that goal or we've completed that task or, or whatever it would be and we're like, Hey, you know what, let's take a couple days and, and you know, go to the coast or whatever.
Caesar Kalinowski:Or let's just a really nice meal, whatever.
Caesar Kalinowski:But find ways to stay motivated.
Caesar Kalinowski:I was even just sharing, uh, today with Tina at, at lunch.
Caesar Kalinowski:I don't like to stop and have lunch and just eat and get straight back to whatever I'm working on that day, be it goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:or just normal tasks.
Caesar Kalinowski:I like to give myself a little bit of a break, almost like a reward, cuz I worked really hard before lunch today.
Caesar Kalinowski:And that what I find is that kind of just re, that resets my brain and goes like, yeah, it's not just push, push, push.
Caesar Kalinowski:And it's not just, oh, well I didn't push so I'm failing, so I gotta keep push.
Caesar Kalinowski:No reward yourself.
Caesar Kalinowski:It'll help you stay motivated and on track.
Caesar Kalinowski:Also, stay a little flexible.
Caesar Kalinowski:Stay a little flexible.
Caesar Kalinowski:If you find you put too many things, too many resolutions, too many goals for the year, well maybe slide some of those a little later, move them down the road.
Caesar Kalinowski:Maybe someone else can help with that.
Caesar Kalinowski:Like if it's an organizational goal, like a church thing or a departmental thing, or within your Missional, Community, maybe you've come up with some great goals, but maybe it wasn't meant.
Caesar Kalinowski:For you to do 'em all.
Caesar Kalinowski:So, you know, stay flexible.
Caesar Kalinowski:If your original plan's not working out, it's okay to adjust things and try new approaches and even make changes if you need to.
Caesar Kalinowski:And then the last one I'll give you, I'll say, Hey, when you got some goals, cuz you weren't afraid and you trusted God for the future.
Caesar Kalinowski:Just be kind to yourself.
Caesar Kalinowski:Don't beat yourself up for setbacks or not achieving everything that you'd hope for or as quickly as you'd like.
Caesar Kalinowski:Be patient.
Caesar Kalinowski:Remember, progress takes time.
Caesar Kalinowski:Most goals that are worth anything aren't just like one day, ding.
Caesar Kalinowski:They're, you're building new habits, you're building rhythms, you're building systems, accountability.
Caesar Kalinowski:You're reallocating time, resources, maybe money, resources, all that.
Caesar Kalinowski:So be kind.
Caesar Kalinowski:To yourself.
Caesar Kalinowski:Be compassionate.
Caesar Kalinowski:Celebrate those small victories along the way.
Caesar Kalinowski:It really is gonna help.
Caesar Kalinowski:I have been a, probably a consistent beating myself up when I don't hit goals, which then leads to me not wanting to set 'em, but what I've learned to give myself a little bit of a break.
Caesar Kalinowski:Like I would hopefully give others like, Hey, well you, but you got this far, or Look at the progress you did make.
Caesar Kalinowski:Let's get back on the horse and ride a little.
Caesar Kalinowski:Right.
Caesar Kalinowski:And we're learning, and so we thought it was gonna look like this, but it might look like that.
Caesar Kalinowski:Just be kind to yourself, okay.
Caesar Kalinowski:As you're going through those.
Caesar Kalinowski:So I hope that's helpful.
Caesar Kalinowski:Few things.
Caesar Kalinowski:We talked about why people don't like setting goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:Maybe you found yourself in there a little bit.
Caesar Kalinowski:Some really good reasons for setting goals, and then those seven ways, Stay on track with your goals and resolutions.
Caesar Kalinowski:Okay, well now I wanna leave you the three big takeaways from today's topic.
Caesar Kalinowski:These are gonna be, you're gonna love these cuz it kind of goes head, heart, hands.
Caesar Kalinowski:So if nothing else, you don't wanna miss these, and I'll give you a printable PDF of this.
Caesar Kalinowski:I'd love to send it to you.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's a free download if you want.
Caesar Kalinowski:Just go to everyday Disciple dot com slash big three.
Caesar Kalinowski:If you listen regularly to the podcast, you know that already every day.
Caesar Kalinowski:Disciple dot com big three.
Caesar Kalinowski:Here we go.
Caesar Kalinowski:Here's the big three for this week.
Caesar Kalinowski:Number one.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's essential to set specific achievable goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:This means making your goals as clear and specific as possible, rather than setting a broad or vague goal.
Caesar Kalinowski:Like I wanna exercise more this year.
Caesar Kalinowski:Uh, how about for example, instead of resolving to exercise more, a little too vague, try setting a goal to go to the gym three times a week.
Caesar Kalinowski:Or maybe instead of, I set a goal to get to know our neighbors better.
Caesar Kalinowski:How about picking one night a week that you'll be you know, setting in your calendar to consistently invite a neighbor or a person of peace over for dinner.
Caesar Kalinowski:So the goal is set Thursday nights, for instance, and invite one person or couple over that we're getting to know.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's like, so that's a better goal than just get to know my neighbors more.
Caesar Kalinowski:See what I'm saying?
Caesar Kalinowski:And then you make it the same night.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's on your calendar.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's part of your normal rhythm.
Caesar Kalinowski:By setting specific goals, you'll be able to track your progress more easily and stay motivated.
Caesar Kalinowski:Make sense?
Caesar Kalinowski:Okay.
Caesar Kalinowski:Number two.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's important to believe in your own ability to make lasting changes in your life and achieve your goals with God's strength and guidance.
Caesar Kalinowski:So you're not doing this alone.
Caesar Kalinowski:You're not just making these up and wing it.
Caesar Kalinowski:But believe you can make changes.
Caesar Kalinowski:Some people don't feel like they can.
Caesar Kalinowski:This is it.
Caesar Kalinowski:This is the best it's gonna be.
Caesar Kalinowski:No, Uhuh not with God.
Caesar Kalinowski:This doesn't mean that you won't face challenges or setbacks along the way, cuz everyone does.
Caesar Kalinowski:However, it's important to approach your goals with a positive attitude and believing that you're capable of making progress.
Caesar Kalinowski:Of course, that's gonna be easier than, well, I will never make it, you know, Eeyore right.
Caesar Kalinowski:Remember, you're absolutely loved.
Caesar Kalinowski:And accepted by God regardless of your performance or past failed attempts, did you hear that you are absolutely loved and accepted by God regardless of your performance or past failed attempts?
Caesar Kalinowski:Trust him to guide your goal setting and achieving you.
Caesar Kalinowski:You can.
Caesar Kalinowski:You can trust him.
Caesar Kalinowski:And then number three, to get started right away.
Caesar Kalinowski:Take some time to write down your goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:Make a plan for how you'll work toward them.
Caesar Kalinowski:Break 'em down smaller.
Caesar Kalinowski:Think about what mechanisms you might need or whatever.
Caesar Kalinowski:Consider sharing your goals with a friend or your spouse or accountability partner, and schedule some regular check-ins to stay on track.
Caesar Kalinowski:and then start taking small, incremental steps towards your goals every day or every week.
Caesar Kalinowski:What's your one thing that you can do each day to move toward accomplishing your goals?
Caesar Kalinowski:One thing, this might mean going to the gym or reading a chapter of a specific book, or taking some other action that moves you closer to your goal.
Caesar Kalinowski:But by taking consistent and intentional action and staying committed.
Caesar Kalinowski:That you'll blow your way.
Caesar Kalinowski:You'll be well on your way to achieving your resolutions and your goals.
Caesar Kalinowski:You really will.
Caesar Kalinowski:Okay.
Caesar Kalinowski:I hope that's helpful.
Caesar Kalinowski:Seem like the time of year to talk about this.
Caesar Kalinowski:I know we've been spending a lot of time talking about that and helping each other with our goals and resolutions and BHAGs and stuff heading into a new year, so I hope that helps you too.
Caesar Kalinowski:That's gonna be about it for today, time's kinda up here, but please join me again next week.
Caesar Kalinowski:We're gonna continue to dive into Missional Living and Discipleship as a lifestyle.
Caesar Kalinowski:It's crazy.
Caesar Kalinowski:Turns out the Gospel has a lot to say about all of life.
Caesar Kalinowski:I love being on this journey together.
Caesar Kalinowski:I'll talk to you soon.
Announcer:Thanks for joining us today.
Announcer:For more information on this show and to get loads of free discipleship resources, visit everyday Disciple dot com and remember, you really can live with the spiritual freedom and relational peace that Jesus promised every day.