goal-setting // day one: let's do this!

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I need Jesus. Isn't that the truth? Yes, goal-setting is an important way to be intentional

and productive both with short and long-term goals, but through it all, I need Jesus.

I have been thinking about what my resolutions are for this new year and was 

teetering on a dichotomy of fear: 

fear of hoping for too little versus fear of hoping for too much.

I do not want to limit God or what He wants to do in me this year. I want to trust that He can do immeasurably more than I could ever imagine [Ephesians 3:20], be it in my physical, emotional, mental, or relationship corners of my life. I want to dream big.

And yet, I still have an aching anxiousness that what if I dream too big and fail? 

What if I come short of my goals and fail yet again?

This goal-setting period might get a little bumpy. I may have days when I think,

what on earth am I getting myself into?

Yes, I may even fall short at times and utterly fail other times.

But, is that reason to not try at all?

Is that reason to cower beneath my fear of failure and settle for what I have grown accustomed to, never seeking to grow and stretch beyond my comfort zone?

So, here I stand.

Unsure, yes.

But standing atop one thing that I am most sure of:

I need Jesus.

Whatever 2014 may unveil, I need Jesus

Whatever goals I rejoice in completing, I need Jesus

Whatever failures I see before me, I need Jesus

Whatever joys that come into my life, I need Jesus

Whatever suffering and trials may befall me, I need Jesus

On this first day of Lara Casey's 2014 Goal-Setting series, I reflect on 2013.

----->> Three Challenges in 2013: <<----

1.} My negative attitude towards work, family, being social.

2.} Staying productive after a draining day at work

3.} Being present with people when I am with them

---->> Three Reasons to be Grateful in 2013: <<----

1.} I have a job that I like and work with awesome co-workers and feel supported by my bosses

2.} I live close [within 30min] to family and friends

3.} God has been faithful every step of the way

---->> Highlights of 2013: <<----

1.} Traveling! [London, France, Leavenworth, Arizona, Seattle]

2.} Going deeper in learning about "eucharisteo", joyful thanksgiving, by reading and journaling through One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp

3.} I was active and eating pretty healthy the first nine months of the year

---->> What didn't work in 2013 <<----

1.} I bought a TV and have too easily plopped myself down to unwind after a long day at work

2.} I fell off the jogging and gym wagon in October after I had a rough time healing from my wisdom teeth extraction and have not been eating very healthy the past two months with the holidays.

3.} I have not made as much time for friends and family during a typical week as I would want to.

Next, is inspiration! And where did we got for inspiration in 2013? Well, pinterest of coarse!
Here is my pinterest board boldly titled Make It Happen 2014 in which I pinned some of the ideas of goals to get the wheels turning in my mind and heart.

Lastly, I want to add that as I opened my Bible app to read a bit, and the verse of the day was Isaiah 43:19 . . . a perfect verse to sum it up: God is doing a new thing in 2014. I betta get ready!

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How about you? Are you working on goals for 2014? What has helped you be successful in the past?