A new year!

At any time, moving into a new year is worth a celebration. A fresh start. Not just the flip of a calendar, a whole new calendar.

And, after 2020, I think the whole world is looking forward to putting this year behind us and moving ahead to a more normal existence.

Generally, when we are facing a new year, many of us set goals, listing out all we hope to accomplish in the year to come. But, surveys tell us that only between 8% and 9% of Americans realize the goals they set for the new year.

Why such a low rate of achievement?

Marcel Schwantes, in an article in Inc. magazine, details what the eight percent who successfully achieve their goals do on a regular basis that the other ninety-two percent don’t consistently do.

According to Schwantes, those who succeed:

1. Set goals that are specific and challenging.

2. Are passionate about their goals and are committed to the end. They want the goal and they want it BADLY.

3. They seek feedback/ coaching to help them track and adjust their goals. They hold themselves accountable.

4. Their lower level goals feed their upper level goals—it all flows together.

5. They seek out expert guidance.

6. They don’t multitask—instead, they break big goals into smaller tasks and focus on those tasks.

I would add two items to the list above.

First and foremost, I believe we must pray before setting any goals. We need to try to discern what God wants us to do with our lives and, particularly, in the year ahead. We have to read our Bibles for guidance, pray regularly, and ask Christians whom we believe are wise in the faith for their thoughts and guidance. Goals, as with all of life, must be well rooted in God. If your goals ultimately pertain to serving others—especially to promoting the Christian faith, you have a greater chance of being on the right track.

Second, I would add that goals have a greater chance of being realized when we commit to the habits that support them. Want to lose weight? Committing to good eating habits and exercise and making these regular habits will be the foundation of success. Want to read the Bible in one year? Committing to regular reading—and to a plan—and developing the habit of Bible reading will be the undergirding of success.

Aristotle famously stated that we are what we repeatedly do. Habits feed goal achievement. When we set a goal, we need to write down the habits we will need to commit in order to reach our goal.

So, let’s celebrate 2021! Let’s plan for a great year. Let us take our desires—our goals—before God. Let us seek His will. Then, once we sense we are on the right track, let’s commit to the habits to lead us to the success we seek.

Let us seek to serve. Let us serve well.

Here’s to 2021!