A new decade…a new year. We are 15 days into 2020.

How are those resolutions going?

I know some people are so over the whole resolutions thing and are going with the “Word for the year” idea. Since I’m an overachiever, I did both plus some declarations and goals but nothing is going quite as PERFECTLY as I envisioned. It’s frustrating. Year after year, I plan things. Year after year, I want to read more and eat cleaner. And year after year, it is the same – there are some good days and some bad days. Maybe you can relate.

So, what can we do? I’m thinking along with my declarations that I need to start asking myself some questions too.

1. “What is the wise thing to do?” I first heard this question from my pastor years ago but it’s always stuck with me. Every day, we are faced with choice after choice (after choice). How do we make a decision? If you’re anything like me, your feelings can be a strong influencer.

Maybe you sang the song or know the story about the wise man who built his house on the rock. It doesn’t say he had a construction background , it just said he was wise. Wisdom can help us decide between fries or fruit, when to speak or stay silent, and how we spend our time and money. God-given wisdom can guide us in how to build our lives.

2. “What are my big rocks for today?” If you haven’t heard the story, let me explain: A business expert was speaking to a group of students. He had a large glass jar along with a dozen big rocks next to it. He placed the rocks in the jar and filled it to the top, then asked the students, “Is this jar full?” . They all answered a resounding yes until he pulled out some gravel and added that to the jar. He repeated the question and this time they weren’t as sure so just replied “Probably!”. He then added some sand which went into all the spaces between the rocks and gravel. Finally, he added some water and finally, the jar was truly filled to the brim. The moral of this story according to Steven Covey: “ If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all.”

What are your big rocks? Maybe it’s spending time with your kids or reading your Bible. It might be exercise or working on your business plan. Prayerfully ask God to show you what your big rocks should be in 2020 and how to manage your day accordingly.

Make your resolutions, figure out your word and ask yourself some questions too.

~Anu