So here we are in another year.  I did a pretty good job accomplishing my goals of 2016 and I intend to work hard to do the same this year too.  I realize that I can’t do everything and that’s why I establish priorities.  That’s what I want to share with you as January starts to fade and the year takes off.

The month of January is when we set our sights on what we want to accomplish in the year. Many cynics show up during this time too and tell us not to waste our time writing goals.  I shake my head and wonder who will we listen to; the cynic or our hearts.

As for me, I don’t listen to cynics. I hope you won’t either. However, I would like to remind you of a couple of things.  First, if you don’t set smart goals, you will end up anywhere and then you can’t complain when the things you felt you should have accomplished never got done. Second, always remember at the end of the day, you control your destiny. “It’s Your Life; Own It” is one of my mottos. Third, you can either determine the path you will take in life and get at it, or you can let someone else determine it for you. In the end, whatever happens, if you decided along the way not to be an active participant in your destiny, it’s all on you.

It’s Your Life; Own It is one of my favorite statements because every day I hear someone say something or see someone post something on social media about how someone “messed” with them.  I have listened to the comments about how they didn’t get the job or the promotion. I have read the same type of comments about how they wished this person would leave or be removed from a position of power because that person will never give them a chance. I have listened to those who can’t seem to stop saying what they “can’t do.” Or they refuse to self-assess and make changes. I have accepted invitations to mentor some and coach others. I can tell right away those who only want to complain about their situation or they want to brag about what they are doing or want to do, and those who are serious about getting “at it” to make a positive impact on their everyday lives.

The questions I have for you as we “get back at it” this year are these: Are you serious about doing something more?  Are you truly interested in achieving something you have dreamed about? Do you really want that position? That promotion? Do you really want to finish school? Do you really want to open your own business? Do you really want to write a book? Do you really want to exercise more? Pray more? Study your Bible more? Do you really want to start a Bible study group? Do you really want to travel? Do you really want to be a better parent, spouse, or friend? What do you really want to do? You see, we can always dream and imagine, but do we “really want”  what we play at wanting? Because, when I “really want” something, I do something about it.

I learned long ago when I wanted a promotion where I worked, I went for it. When I didn’t get it, I tried other ways. When I still didn’t get it, I tried other companies.  When I wanted to travel to Asia or Europe, when I couldn’t fly business class, I flew coach or discounted airlines and stayed in cheaper hotels until I got to the place and status in life where I could stay in better ones. When I decided to write my book and couldn’t get a publisher, I self-published. You see, there is always a way. Let me share a true story:

I always dreamed of running outside. I never did. I would work out every day doing step aerobics or some form of exercise, but I desired to run like others did. I would stop myself by saying to myself that I hated running (knowing full well that was not true). I then would say, “I couldn’t run.” After I got sick in 2012, I could do very little exercise for almost a year. The only thing I could do was walk. I began to walk every day until I was walking 5 miles. I remember when I was out walking, I would talk to God about my fears of my illness. That time turned into a spiritual time.  In 2013, somehow I emerged from my illness. I continued walking but found myself jogging a little also. I began telling myself “if you could do 3 classes of step aerobics, one right after the other, and they were advanced, why don’t you think you can run?” It was like a lightbulb came on. I began running. Today, I can run 10 miles in two hours. Every day of the week, excluding weekends, I run no less than 7 or 8 miles each morning.

Look, there will always be some excuse or blame as to why I didn’t accomplish something; I just don’t want the excuse to be me. Do you? Set your sights high. Work to make your dreams a reality. Brush off naysayers and push aside negative thoughts. Stop telling yourself what you can’t accomplish and start affirming yourself daily, hourly or even by the minute. Just don’t stop….