I spent many years making New Year’s Resolutions. Big bold ideas that were probably impossible to accomplish or at least too lofty to maintain. Lose 40 pounds, run a race. And what happened? I felt like a failure and didn’t achieve most of them. (by the way, big bold plans are important too)

I have spent the last four years, giving myself a break from the New Year’s disappointment. After all, if you don’t plan anything, you’ll be a success.

All this to answer the question, What should we do? Certainly the New Year is a great time to look forward in hope, to want to do better. What’s wrong with making resolutions?

As with many words these days, the word “resolution” is loaded with baggage, not the least of which is our confirmed belief that we won’t succeed.

So I offer you three things you can do to dive into 2017 with a little hope.

1. Resolutions aren’t specific enough. Goals can be baby steps that get you to the final goal. I finally gave myself permission to take baby steps toward a larger vision. For instance, one of my goals for 2017 is to wake up to a clean kitchen. Anyone who knows me knows that this will be hard. But I have broken it down: the first week in January, I want to wake up to a clean kitchen at least 3 times. In times past, I would have said I wanted that every day but I know myself. Want to run a race? Plan to stretch and go for a walk a few times this week. Just get started. Want to lose weight? Plan your food so that it is possible. So, set a goal for the first week, make it doable, make it simple. Being successful in the small things helps us to dare to try the larger things. And then next week set your goals again.And Guess What! Today I woke up to a clean kitchen, one down and two to go.

2. Focus on what’s important, not what is urgent. The urgent will get done. The important needs to be planned for. Time with your spouse? Put it on the calendar (try for once in January). Clear out the clutter. Set a timer for 20 minutes. Plan to do it once a week. Or deal with 5 things. It will only take a minute or two but those 5 things will be done. Do it as many days as you think you can. And stick to it. I cleared out two rooms of clutter with the 5 thing plan.

3. Finally, celebrate the small victories. Did the dishes get done, do a happy dance. Did you help someone in need? Rejoice in your big heart. We don’t celebrate enough. I have a journal by my bedside, a “victory” journal. I take a few minutes at bedtime to acknowledge what I have done. Maybe on one day I have a major success – Yay me! And the next day I get the dishes and laundry done – Yay me again. It doesn’t matter how big or small your accomplishments, list them all and then be glad that you have the energy and the ability to accomplish things. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel about life.

So set a few goals, share them with us if you want and we’ll pray for you. And don’t get down when the going gets tough. Just get up the next day and try again. NO PRESSURE.

Do what you can and celebrate what you do.

Happy New Year!