New Year's Resolutions or Empty Promises? | How to Have an Intentional Year

It's February 1st! And if you are anything like me, you have already forgotten, or dropped the ball on your New Year's Resolution! ??

I've never been one to enjoy New Year's Resolutions. Or be "good" at them.

Transparently, at the start of each year, I've always felt like I was making a list of empty promises to myself, just because I had to.

But, shocker! Like everyone else, in closing out 2023, I sat down and thought...

"What do I want to accomplish in 2024?"

"What opportunities do I have at my grasp that I must pursue next year?"

"What can I add to my list that will make me more productive, more in-shape, more money?" (yikes! ??)

I reflected. I visioneered. I planned.

And I also roamed the aisles of Barnes & Noble.

(Which, by the way, does not happen often. And by not often, I mean never. My New Year's Resolution definitely could have been "Read More").

I picked up the book The Intentional Year, barely read the back cover, bought it, and went home.

I actually read this book. The whole entire thing.

And on the off chance there is someone reading this that also feels like their New Year's Resolutions never stick, I want to share 3 ways for you to have a more intentional year:

#1 - Ask, "what is this season for?"

Co-author, Glenn Packiam came to America for college, and during his studies in the states, he received an incredible offer to take his musical talents and travel the world with a worship band. But, he would have to miss one year of school.

His father told him not to accept the offer, and said:

“Son, there will never be a shortage of good opportunities. But I think you have to ask yourself, ‘What is this season for?’ And I think you came to America to go to college, not to be in a band.”

I often find myself dreaming about the next big thing. Not because I am unhappy with where I am, or what I am doing, but because I hope to accomplish a lot of incredible things in my lifetime! Just like Glenn, I have big dreams for myself.

But what I've come to realize is that right now may not be the season for me to accomplish them.

Just because there is an opportunity to achieve a certain goal in the current year, doesn't mean it is the right year to do it. And I've made the mistake plenty of times with making New Year's Resolutions without fully understanding the season I was currently in. And, well, that led to failure.

Glenn did not go travel the world with his band. And now he acknowledges that he made the right decision. He says:

"That was the season to submit myself to a process, to work hard in preparation for life and a career, and to be faithful with the work that was in front of me. What I couldn’t have known then is that there was too much vanity in my desire to travel. My heart was drawn to the allure of influence."

Every season has limitations and invitations. And in Glenns story, thank God he accepted the limitations of being in college and embraced the invitation of preparation...

Glenn went on to have an incredibly successful career in worship + ministry after graduation from college, and while in college, (not traveling the world!) he met his wife Holly who he has grown a lovely family with!

In lockstep with this first point...

#2 - Understand that "a wise farmer does the right work in the right season."

In the spring, farmers plant. In the summer, they move and bail hay. In the fall, they harvest. And in the winter, they are doing other chores to prepare for the next season.

But what if in the winter, a farmer takes the opportunity to plant, just because he can?

Nothing will grow. And the plants will die.

Our toil must match the season.

Understanding and abiding in what this season of life is FOR has been much easier for me to follow than a random resolution I wrote down on January 1st.

And rather than empty resolutions, I've found so much purpose in aligning what I am doing with what this season is truly for.

And finally, even though it is February 1st, I encourage you to...

#3 - Choose One Word for The Year!

My New Year's Resolutions always looked a little something like this:

"Drink more water"

"Workout 6 days a week"

"Read 10 books"

Now, I know, that these are NOT the most well-formatted SMART goals on the planet, but, I don't think I'm alone in creating a laundry list of vain, unintentional check-boxes.

So, try choosing one word.

When we determine what this season is for, and can focus in on one word to guide, and grow us through this season, our 'New Year's Resolution' may feel less empty.

In fact, it should not feel like a resolution at all (which is the whole point!)

The Intentional Year, with it's foundation of Christianity, encourages us to ask God to help us understand what season we are in and to ask God for the one word, or one area he is inviting us to grow in.

Listening to the voice of God, reflecting on your past year, and confiding in trusted friends and family is an important part of forming your intentional year. Gone are the days of writing down a list of resolutions come the afternoon of January 1st!

"Listen and Surrender. Abide, and you will bear fruit!"

--

Self-Discipline is my word for the year. What's yours?

-Sara Hardwick (: