Wait…are you REALLY “new”?

Oh Boy! It’s that time again; your emails, social media feeds, radios and T.V.’s etc. are being flooded by the “New” year. It’s a “time to reflect”, to “start new”, “out with the old, in with the new”…or so it is said. Whenever we hit, a life milestone, (i.e., birthday, death, marriage, divorce, promotion, and yes…the New Year) we start to reflect on our lives. For many the New Year brings in excitement and hope in moving forward with a clean slate and a new version of themselves. Don’t get me wrong, a time to reevaluate and adjust is always good. Which is why I am writing this blog (SMILE).

But as I thought about this, I realized I don’t expire December 31st. I am not “new” every year. I have already been made new, when I made the decision to follow Christ. But if I still have the old mindset, same habits and thought patterns, chances are this will be a repeat of the year before (not new). For me, I want to improve on my personal best. If you are like me and want to progress then setting goals is a good start.

Many people set goals in the New Year and most don’t accomplish them for one reason or another. Everyone wants to be better but many don’t know how to go about doing it. So now what? It all starts with a decision. Start with a daily decision to check your mindset. Make a plan and go for it! It’s not going to be easy but it sure will be worth it in the end.

If you are anything like me, I need things to be explained IN DETAIL (colorful pictures, and diagrams help too) LOL! So these are some guidelines I use to set and achieve my goals. Remember D.A.T.U.W (Detailed, Assessable, Timed, Unique and Written):

STEP 1 DETAILED:

IF I CALL YOU AND TELL YOU TO MEET ME AT THE STORE AND HANG UP. CHANCES ARE YOU WILL NOT BE AT THE STORE. THE SAME APPLIES FOR SETTING GOALS; THEY HAVE TO BE DETAILED IF YOU WANT TO GET TO YOUR DESIRED DESTINATION. HERE’S AN EXAMPLE:

“I want to learn to sew.” vs “I want to learn how to sew a skirt.”

See the difference?

STEP 2 ASSESSABLE:

MAKE SURE YOU CONSIDER ALL THE STEPS IT WILL TAKE TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL. IF YOU HAVE NEVER SEWN, NOR DO YOU OWN A SEWING MACHINE YOU MIGHT WANT TO REVISIT STEP 1.

I will sign up for the next sewing class at the local arts and crafts store:

Check schedule
Check pricing
Buy supplies (If applicable)
Call/register to be placed on the roster

STEP 3 TIMED:

SETTING A TIME LIMIT GIVES YOU A TARGET TO SHOOT. IT WILL ALSO HELP TO KEEP YOU ON TRACK WITH THE ASSESSMENT STEPS AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY

I want to sew a skirt to wear on Easter Sunday April 16, 2017

STEP 4 UNIQUE:

NO ONE CAN BE YOU BUT YOU. MAKE YOUR GOAL PERSONAL. ITS OK TO HAVE PEOPLE YOU LOOK UP TO BUT IF YOUR PURPOSE IS TO BE SOMEONE ELSE, YOU WILL FAIL. YOU CANNOT RUN SOMEONE ELSE’S RACE. YOU HAVE THE GRACE FOR YOUR OWN RACE.

STEP 5 WRITTEN:

IF I GIVE YOU A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER AND TELL YOU THESE ARE THE DIRECTIONS TO MY HOUSE, YOU WOULD TELL ME TO GET MY HEAD CHECKED. THE SAME APPLIES TO GOAL SETTING. YOU HAVE A BETTER CHANCE AT ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS WHEN THEY ARE WRITTEN DOWN. IT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW, ADJUST AND MOVE FORWARD.

Finally

Don’t get discouraged if you mess up or miss the mark. Success is defined individually, you are already loved and approved in God's eyes. Life has a way of getting off track at times, but with a clear vision you can still achieve your dreams. When you still feel like the old you, remember the new you is in your mind set and thought patterns. Trust me, I definitely don’t have it all together but that doesn’t stop me from moving forward, growing and enjoy this exciting journey God has me on.

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Here are some categories I tend to focus on:

Spiritual
Marriage
Family
My Business
My Finances

Stay Sewcial and Stay Inspired!

XO, Sebrina

Scripture References:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Be made new in the attitude of your minds Ephesians 4:23 NIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1 NIV

The Lord answered me, “Write down what I show you. Write it clearly on a sign so that the message will be easy to read. Habakkuk 2:2 ERV

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV

New Year, New Stitches: Crafting a Better You