5 Encouragements for the New Year (#3 is adorable!)

Well…we’re two weeks in.

How’s your 2024 going so far? Are you already sick of the “R” word? Are your resolutions laughing at you as you struggle to make changes? Or did you skip New Year’s resolutions altogether this year, knowing they rarely stick?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to be a negative Nenny.

I just know from my own experience that the high hopes of Dec 31 sometimes get smacked with reality by mid-January. The donuts come calling. The gym seems so far away – plus it’s cold outside.

Maybe the books you were going to start reading are still collecting dust on the nightstand. Or the book you were going to start writing is still a blank Word doc. Or that friend you were going to reconnect with still hasn’t heard from you. The list could go on.

(And if you’re on the flip side and have been rocking your resolutions so far – way to go!)

But I know it’s hard to make changes. Setting goals is much easier than reaching them!

So I wanted to encourage you with some practical support to help you succeed.

I don’t know what your specific goals are for 2024, but I do know the 5 most common.

According to Statistica.com, the top 2024 resolutions are: 

1. Save more money
2. Exercise more
3. Eat healthier
4. Spend more time with family/friends
5. Lose weight

I think three of those can be lumped together as one overall goal, don’t you? Can you guess which three?
So that takes us down to 3 top resolutions:

1. Save more money
2. Exercise more/eat healthier/lose weight
3. Spend more time with family/friends

Those all sound like great goals, right? So…how can you make them happen?

Here are 5 practical supports to help you meet your 2024 goals. This encouragement addresses the top 3 resolutions as well as other dreams you may have for the year.

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Making Resolutions Reality

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1. Never say the “s” word.

This is an important lesson I’ve learned from experience: “Someday” actually means never.

Whatever I say I’ll do “someday” is not going to happen – as long as I keep using that word.

• “Someday I’ll publish that book.”
• “Someday I’ll start eating better.”
• “Someday I’ll make more time for friends.”

Not. Gonna. Happen.

If I ever want it to happen, I have to change “someday” to “today.”

Sound corny? Maybe so. But it’s true.

Whatever your goal is, decide what you can do TODAY to work toward it. It can be simple. It might only take 15 minutes, or even 30 seconds!

• Write down a few notes for the book you want to write.
• Send a text.
• Take a 10-minute walk.

We all know that big tasks have to be broken down to complete them – eating that elephant one bite at a time. But the challenge is to take those bites!

It’s easy to think small steps won’t get you anywhere, but they do. Commit to doing something each day (every ‘today’ that comes along) to work toward your goal. Sure, you’ll need to take days off here and there, but the point is to get past “someday” and start making it happen.

If I can do it, you can too! For 20 years, I said someday I’d like to publish a book. Yep, I used the “s” word! Then I finally decided to work toward that goal – making “someday” today – and now I’ve published not one book, but nine! Thank you, God!

What’s on your “someday” list? What can you do today to make it a reality?

It’s time to make someday today.

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2. Don’t make New Year’s resolutions.

It’s not what you think.

I’m not suggesting a complete avoidance of goal-setting at the end of the year.

What has been encouraging to me is to change how I view resolutions. Instead of making New Year’s resolutions, I write down New Year’s God solutions.

I make a note of how God is currently working in my life and what He is teaching me. Then I write down what I want to see God do in me or through me in the coming year. I remind myself that, in my own strength, I can do nothing. But, God can do immeasurably more than all I can ask or imagine (and I have a pretty good imagination)!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen!

– Ephesians 3:20-21

So, maybe that’s a good step for you. Instead of striving for things on your own, surrender the year to God and create some God solutions.

Here’s a simple form you can use.

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3. Don’t stop moving.

Here’s some help for those of you who are in the exercise more/eat healthier/lose weight camp.

I know it’s easier to say we want to be more active than to actually get off the couch and exercise.

So, I’ve made things as easy as possible.

Here are two dozen simple, practical ways that allow you to incorporate more activity into your day.

These tips are designed to get you moving, keep you moving, and help you take care of the body God has given you.

My goal with these Ways is to offer 3 things:

• Simplicity to make exercise feasible
• Some silliness to keep you smiling
• A spiritual foundation for your exercise – to help you love the Lord with all your strength.

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4. Always count every dollar.

Now let’s get into some practical help for those of you who have resolved to “save more money.” Do you have a plan in place to tuck those dollars away?

If your income varies (like mine does), this can be even more challenging. But, it’s not impossible. Here’s the secret: a good budget.

I hope that’s not the “b” word in your world. Budgets often sound too limiting, or intimidating, or just plain hard.

They don’t have to be. It’s really just three simple steps.

1. Write down how much you make.
2. Write down your expenses (needs and wants).
3. Give every dollar a home.

I go through a step-by-step process in this blog post to create and maintain a budget. My example is for a variable-style income, but it works for steady-income folks, too. The post includes a sample budget form you can save and adapt for your own use.

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5. Make perfect friendships.

Last but not least, we have the resolution to “spend more time with family/friends.” Or your goal might have something else to do with relationships.

Want to be a better friend in 2024? Want to dig deeper into your current friendships? Make new friends?

Here’s a good place to start.

This is where you can find answers to tough relationship questions – with this personal map to guide you on the winding road of friendship.

These pages are filled with laughter, tears, jealousy, betrayal, joy, loss, hope – and everything else that goes along with this topic.

Scripture, testimonies, and practical applications help you:

• Learn what the Bible says about friendship
• Discover how to be a better friend
• Learn how to glorify God in friendships
• Discover how to be a friend of God

SPECIAL FEATURES

Friendship Assessment “Which Bible Friend Are You?” –
Are you a Jonathan? A Ruth? Take the quiz to find out which biblical friend you most resemble and how this affects your relationships.

Chew & Do –
Dig into a different aspect of friendship with each chapter, then use the Chew & Do sections for personal reflection, discussion, and immediate life application.

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I hope you’re now feeling more equipped for the rest of 2024. I pray you found at least one nugget in this message to help you on your journey.

And I’d love to hear how that journey is going!

You can reach out via email kerrynenn@nennpen.com, my website, or Facebook. Share your challenges and successes. Ask questions about budgeting. Let me know which of the 24 Ways to exercise you tried.

I’m here to help!

And lastly….a happy and blessed new year to you!