When a new year begins, it’s natural to reflect on what lies ahead. For many, it’s a time of resolutions and new starts. That buzz creates excitement and a determination to do something different this time. Of the many that start out the new year in this mode, a few will start strong and peter out within weeks or months.
The will is often strong in the beginning, but the daily rigmarole of life takes a toll and slows us down. This is when most give up the resolve and sink back into the old patterns of living life in the now.
I’ve been reading about and hearing discussions regarding thinking not so much about the strong, new beginning. Instead, what if the focus was on the ending? What if we instead were intent on ending the year strong? How would that affect how we begin? Or, thinking about ending the year well, where would we be mid-year?
It’s an exercise to keep in mind and practical to implement. The first thoughts are, what does a year that ends well look like for me? What does it look like for you? This requires putting some thinking into what you want to achieve within the next 12 months. What areas of life are most important in this season of living?
Top of mind for me includes my secular work duties, my physical well-being and, most importantly, my spiritual life. For me to have a strong end-of-year, what will I need to accomplish in these areas?
I would do well to write two or three goals for each of these areas. Then, commit to progressing toward the completion of these goals by the end of the year. Since these are progressive, it would be beneficial to create increments of time throughout the year to mark progress. Also, seeing progress along the way will further impress in my mind the vision of a successful end.
What areas do you see yourself improving or succeeding in over the next months? You too would do well to write these down as goals and implement a plan of action to achieve. The new year of 2025 is upon us. Imagine the immense sense of accomplishment in knowing you not only started the year well, but will end it strong, and all the better for it.
© Marc Townsend
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