At the start of every year, I come back to the foundation of what makes a great year. Habits. Motivation may get you started - but it's habits that will fuel the distance. Don’t make that New Year’s resolution. Here’s what to do instead.
Paul told the Galatians, “You were made for freedom – why are you putting yourself under the law again?” Resolutions have the unmistakable fragrance of the law. And, we are great at breaking the law. The parking lots of health clubs will be full in January and half empty by February – we all laugh about it – but it’s true.
The great golf instructor Harvey Penick was asked by one of his students, “Help me to get out of the sandtraps.” Harvey replied, “I’ll eventually teach you that. But first, I’ll teach you how to stay out of the sandtraps.”
Life is full of traps. Some we see, and still walk into them; others are unseen, and we are surprised when we are captured by them. Regardless of whether we are caught or not, they are all around us every day.
The first trap right now is making New Year’s resolutions. Instead, start new habits.
Habits are the fuel of your day. And a habit is formed by repetition. Make the decision that you won’t take any more of your excuses.
Decide against yourself and start a habit.
What one action could you take today that will move you further toward your goal? Make the decision today for what you need to do tomorrow. Then repeat that small step again tomorrow. For years, I've been using the YouVersion Bible reading programs for my early morning workout routine. It’s the Bible and pushups. Grace and the gym.
There are days that I get up with a lot to accomplish, a huge ‘to-do’ list, urgencies or just plain too tired … reasons that I can’t read the Word – but, I already made the decision, created a habit - now I’m not taking my own excuses, I just do it. It has become part of my daily regimen and ritual. And, it has strengthened my life.
What are your large goals? What small thing could you do today to move closer? Moving closer to God will keep you out of the sandtraps of life. Having Godly wisdom and resolve will keep you from falling into the traps of self-negotiation and self-justification.
His strength will sustain you and rescue you from the traps – but not falling into them in the first place is wiser. Wisdom is the principal thing, it says in Proverbs. Don’t put the law over your head – instead, make wisdom a habit.
2026 is a powerful year of harvest.
Let’s live it with vigorous passion!
