2011 Goals (A Little Late!)

I know you're supposed to make goals for the new year BEFORE the year gets here, but I realized today that I really needed to get some goals written out and make sure that I am daily refocusing my attention on the right things.

1. Make a schedule for each day. For whatever reason, having empty space in my schedule causes issues for me! I get bored and anxious, and if I'm not careful, it leads me to do self-destructive things.

2. Limit time spent alone. If I am alone at home, I want to work on going to a public place like Border's or Rev to study, or go to a friend's house. Being in my house for too long makes me bored too! Boredom seems to be a killer!

3. Stay continuously connected to God through prayer, reading or listening to the Word, speaking the Word, and listening to worship music. I have noticed when I go even 30 minutes without doing these things, I have let my guard in for the devil to attack!

4. Learn to take things one day at a time. I forget too often that I have to be consistent in fighting the enemy. It doesn't take just one time; I have to do it everyday. And everyday I have to rely on God's strength to get me through the day.

5. Keep a health- and God-centered mind at all times. I want to always remember to glorify God in my every action, in whatever I eat or drink, in what I say, and in how I spend my time.

6. Don't ignore His voice! There are days (like today *ahem*) where I struggle, I hear Him speaking to me and giving me the answer and guiding me in the right direction, but I ignore Him even though I know in the end I will regret it! How stupid I can be sometimes! I want to work on being obedient, and wanting to obey Him with 100% of my heart, not just when I feel it's convenient for me!

Now for some more superficial goals...

7. Run a 10k. I can do the distance, but I want to be able to run an actual race! And run the whole 6.2 miles without having to stop!

8. Get savings account up to $500. It is currently at about $274, so I'm over halfway there!

9. Get in touch with my artistic side! I've never been super artitstic, but I have found that I love making collages! A goal of mine is to finish a wall in my room with some collages!

10. Make straight A's. This is a long shot, but it is possible if I work hard enough! I am a junior in college and I have never had straight A's. I usually end up with 1 or 2 B's. So this may not happen, but it is a nice goal :)

11. Make a list of things that make me joyful! I have noticed other people doing this on other various blogs, and I think it would be very helpful! I am thinking about working on a list of "100 Things That Make Me Joyful". I am hoping that it will help me keep my mind and attitude focused on the really important things in life!

 I hope to be able to regularly look back on these goals and to track my progress! I also hope these goals will keep me focused, will help me to "forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead, and to strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize" (Phil. 3:13-14)