What are the most important priorities in your life?

Priorities matter. They reflect us in a unique way because they reflect our character and commitments. For me, these include my marriage, my family, my God and my work - using my gifts that God has given me. These four priorities reflect my deepest desires and highest attention.

Our challenge is that those things that are most important to us are often not given the highest attention in our lives. We know they are important but other issues and things take their place in the normal course of our lives. The only way to compensate for this is to ensure that what is truly important to us is that which we focus on first, leaving other things for later.

The end of one year and the beginning of another is a great time to evaluate that which is most important. How did we do this year? What do we want to accomplish next year? What is our plan to nurture the important and not allow the less important to crowd out the important?

If you are serious about the most important, take the time to identify what you want to accomplish in those areas of life this coming year. And then write down you plan with specifics that you can work on through the year. 

You may not fulfill you plan perfectly but a plan is always better than no plan and progress better than the status quo. Each year is an opportunity to grow in those areas that are most important to us. Don't let the opportunity go by. It is precious as life is short. In fact, we have no idea how long we will be on this earth. We want to minimize the "I wish I had..." at the end of our lives and replace it with "I am so glad that I..." 

Ecclesiastes tells us that as long as there is life there is hope. Use the time that you have and focus on the most important because that is what will matter at the end of our lives. 

New beginnings and New Year Resolutions

I find the days between Christmas and New Years to be a time of important reflection. A new year is a gift. Whatever the challenges of the present (past) year were, there is a new year starting and we have opportunities for renewal, new hope and even new practices.

I would encourage you to take stock of the past year during these days. What do you have to be thankful for? What do you wish had been different? Are there things or people you need to leave behind for your own health and well being? Are there things that need to be different and what can you do about it?

The last question is an important one. New beginnings can be a perfect time for new practices. None of us can do everything at once so think about the two or three things that you believe should be different in your life. Be specific about what you want to change.

Change does not happen without weaving new practices into our lives. Habits are formed by repeatedly practicing something over and over. Think about how you can incorporate needed changes for three months. At the end of three months if you are consistent, those changes are likely to have become habits and fairly easy to stay current with. Practices become habits which become part of our lifestyle! Change can look daunting but if you can think of the next three months, the longer term is likely to take care of itself.

If you keep a journal, keep track of your daily progress for three months. If you don't keep a journal this is a good reason to start one. A daily reminder of the commitment made will go a long ways toward your success.

Don't let this season pass without evaluating your current life. One, two or three significant changes can change the trajectory of your life. The new year is a great time to start. The past is past. Now for the new!