Monday, January 13, 2020

Goals for 2020


Beautiful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings
I've heard a lot this new year about 20/20 vision in 2020.  I desire to look at the year just past with clarity and honesty (and have done that in a couple of posts about reflecting on 2019).  I've taken a hard look at my own life, noting areas in which I need to grow and change.  And I have a vision for how my life could be in 2020;  I desire to look to the year ahead with eyes of faith, knowing that God's compassions are new every morning and that His faithfulness is great indeed.  Although I've not put together a blog post on the topic yet, my word for 2020 is going to be Diligence.

My goals for 2020 really don't look a lot different than my goals for 2019; in fact, I've copied and pasted many of them from last year.  The major difference will be that I hope to be more diligent and to accomplish more of these goals, staying closer to God and following through on more of my plans.  Here goes:
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Personal growth (I included both spiritual and intellectual growth, as well as character development, in this category): Work on character qualities of unselfishness, kindness, compassion, perseverance, graciousness, and self-control.  Work at eliminating the time-wasting habit of procrastination.  Stay off Instagram until afternoon.  Read, study, journal, and meditate on God's Word daily.  Start to memorize Scripture in a much more organized way.  As time allows, add to my "What do I know about my God?" Scripture notebook.  Attend a couples' retreat with my hubby and a ladies' retreat or two on my own.  Read and study at least 6 books.  Nurture creativity.

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Health (includes physical, mental, and emotional health):  Exercise at least five times per week.  Get enough water, sleep, fresh air, and sunshine.  Cook and eat with health in mind.  Do something creative or craft-related every day.  Journal and write as often as possible.  Continually cultivate the habit of gratitude.  Continually seek to be joyful and to keep my eyes open daily for the little things that make each day special.  Find moments of relaxation with my husband as often as possible.
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Marriage/family life (includes homemaking): Plan periodic getaways.  Take the best possible care of my husband and help him in every way possible.  Aim to be a blessing to him as we spend more time together in his retirement.  Take advantage of every moment together.  Take time for dates.  Plan fun activities with nearby grandchildren. and a trip out west with our two oldest granddaughters.  Minister to my husband  and others with the gift of a peaceful, orderly home by decluttering the entire house and implementing effective homemaking routines.  Stay in good touch with faraway family by regular phone calls, emailing, writing, Skyping, and sending packages.
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Money matters:  Spend less on groceries on a weekly basis.  (This is off to a great start in 2020!)  Continue listing and selling small vintage items in my Etsy shop, A New Hampshire Attic.  Pray about eventually making items to sell at craft fairs or on Etsy.  Consider doing some writing for paying publication.  Prayerfully fulfill my trust responsibilities, seeking God's continual guidance in them.
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Relationships outside the home:  Be more of an encouragement to my daughters, friends, and the ladies in my Sunday School class.  Stay in better touch with faraway friends and family.  Make myself available to help and encourage those who are nearby.  Continue blogging as a means of encouraging other ladies; take advantage of opportunities to meet fellow bloggers.  Work harder at cultivating extended family relationships, staying in touch with and spending time with my cousins more often.
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Ministry:  Deepen my prayer life, praying regularly for those with deep needs, praying daily for our pastoral search.  Continue working on and teaching the study A Woman who Reflects the Heart of Jesus.  Continue cleaning the church with my hubby once or twice per month and providing Sunday coffee break snacks once per month.  Minister to others with hospitality as the opportunities arise.  Continue our informal ministry of fellowship and mentoring with younger friends. 
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Have you set goals for 2020 yet?  I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I do find it very helpful to consider and set goals for a new year.  You can find further inspiration on this Pinterest board of mine: A new year, a fresh start.  Happy New Year, and happy goal setting!

6 comments:

  1. This year my goals for 2020 are not as clearly-defined as years past. I just want to build on what I've already begun, getting better while learning to relax more.

    But one thing I am focused on is being "salt and light" in our increasingly dark and tasteless world.

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    1. What a wonderful focus, Barbara! I so agree and hope that I can focus on the same things. Thanks for sharing that. It's why we are here, isn't it?!

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  2. Do I look like a woman who sets goals? 🤪 For the year?! I do sometimes set goals for the week, more usually just the day. You are wonderfully organized and thoughtful and analytical.

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  3. Well, right at the moment, given your health concerns this past year, I can see why you would set doable goals for the day and no more. Your physical strength has been severely tested this year. Were I in your shoes, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be as strong as you have been.

    I appreciate your kind, thoughtful words but know that it's only by God's grace that I even begin to fit your description.

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  4. Your word is spot on. I didn't really come up with one this year but truly that one could be mine. I feel like I need to do just that...be diligent more in achieving some ends. Or course, we plan and the Lord directs.

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  5. Thanks, Sandy. It's been interesting as the year has played out so far that I've had to be more diligent in several areas, especially in the kitchen. In other areas though (like purging and decluttering) my diligence has been sorely lacking. It's hard to take items to charities when the charities are closed.

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