A new year, a new set of resolutions, right?

Ugh.  I hate New Years’ resolutions.  Why?  Mostly because I never keep them.  I hardly ever make it all the way through January.  I have found that the best thing for me to do is to make goals, and to write them out and post them where I’ll see them.

I have also heard some Christians say that I shouldn’t make many goals, because then I’m focused on what I want, and not what God wants.

When I write out my goals, I do it in prayer and keeping God’s Word in mind.  I don’t think it’s unbiblical to write out goals and to strive to achieve those goals. 

Luke 14:28 (ESV) says, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” 

This is a question posed by Jesus in regards to becoming a Christian.  If becoming a Christian can take thought and planning, then I believe that living a Christian life and living out God’s call on my life can also take such consideration.

Now, just because of how I am, it can be a struggle if God asks me to change my goals later in the year, but that is something I keep in mind.  I do want to “seek firs the kingdom of God,” (Matthew 6:33), so I try to keep God and His will at the front of my mind at all times.  (Please note: this is a struggle for me.  I am a workaholic, but I am striving to improve.)

That all said, I do encourage you to strive to grow in something this year.  Maybe it’s to eat better or exercise more; maybe you want to start a side hustle or go to college; maybe you want to be a better parent.

I had a Psychology professor who said, “The best time to seek therapy was yesterday.  The second best time is today.”

However you want to grow in 2023, I encourage you to write out your goals or resolutions and GO FOR IT!  You can do this.

What are my author goals for 2023?

• Set up an official publishing business.  In 2022, I made so little that the IRS would consider my writing a hobby, but I’m ready to take this to next level!
• Finish the first draft of my first Christian travel romance, Tumbleweed.
• Plot the next two stories of the series (come up with name for the series), and start writing Underground.
• Publish one more You Draw book.
• Complete the 2023 StoryWalk season.
• Get up to 50 people in my author E-mail group.  (Do you know anyone who would love or benefit from these E-mails?  Please tell them about it!  You can direct them to my homepage: CaitlinNikolai.com.)
• Set up a book fair at a Farmer’s Market.

 
There was a poster hanging up in my middle school classroom that said, “Reach for the moon.  Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”  That’s a quote by Norman Vincent Peale.

I encourage you to reach for the moon in 2023.

If any of your goals or resolutions have to do with growing your relationship with God, I strongly encourage you to check out my new book, Enoch Walked with God: And You Can Too. You can view it on Amazon here. It’s a short but powerful read, and I have free downloads to go along with it on my website under “My Bookshelf.”

If any of your goals involve reading more, check back tomorrow for a free bookshelf book log download!

Grace and peace, friends. I pray you have a wonderful 2023!