“Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.” -Harry Truman
One exciting thing about the New Year is the opportunity for a fresh start. When everything feels brand new, it is easier to be more optimistic about what’s to come. So, why not use this excitement and momentum to go after the things you want to see?
What is one meaningful goal you aspire to achieve this year, and do you genuinely believe it is within your reach? Have you invested time in developing a strategy to make it a reality? If so, what intentional steps are you taking today to bring your plan to life, recognizing that consistent daily habits can build over time, and that taking it one step at a time can be a powerful catalyst for transformation?
There is no better time to take action than now. It’s a New Year and a new opportunity for a fresh start. It’s exactly what you may need after a year like 2020 and even 2024. A fresh start gives you the opportunity to create what you want to see. It’s possible to see your dreams become a reality if you plan for it and, most importantly, execute the plan. Planning and dreaming about what you want to take place this year is the easy part. The execution of the plan is the hardest and most critical part. It’s the part of the process that requires hard work, sweat, tears, perseverance, consistency, action, and intentionality.
Imagine what your life could look like if you accomplished every goal you’ve written down this year. How would the sense of fulfillment and confidence gained from that success position you for even greater accomplishments in the years to come, inspiring you to envision and pursue an even brighter future? You can have a clear vision and a thoughtful plan, but taking deliberate action and executing it is what will ultimately bring your goals to life and unlock your full potential.
These last few years, I made a goal of changing my eating habits and continuing my fitness journey. My goal was to make my health journey a lifestyle. It has been a long journey, but I have made significant progress towards that goal. I wanted to be the best version of myself and be healthy so that I can have the energy I need to get things done. I made a commitment to exercise at least four to five days a week and eat healthy. My running journey added a spark of excitement on top of my normal strength training this past year. I was able to accomplish my goal of staying consistent, and the journey of taking care of myself it has really changed my life. I find myself getting stronger in all areas because I was able to execute that goal. I am motivated and inspired to continue to become the best version of myself because of what I was able to accomplish.
Has the journey been perfect? Absolutely not! It has been hard, especially in the beginning, when I failed a lot. But the important thing is that I kept going. I started exactly where I was and continued to get better and move forward. Eating healthy has not been perfect either; I have cheat days and times when I fall short, but I do not stop there. I start again the next day.
I remember when I first started my fitness journey, it was so challenging. I struggled to be consistent and eventually became discouraged with trying. I stopped and started again so many times. As I looked back, I realized that even my failures were a part of the process. I eventually got tired of starting over, and once I got to that place, it made me realize that if I wanted to see different results, I needed to do things differently. It was my failures that gave birth to the true desire for change. If you are ever discouraged with continuing to start over, be encouraged because that is really just the beginning of your process.
One of the key insights I’ve gained about achieving a goal is that perseverance is crucial, as giving up when faced with setbacks or shortcomings can hinder progress, and instead, maintaining a consistent effort is important to unlocking success, by embracing a mindset that values persistence over perfection.
These are the steps I’ve learned that have helped me to execute my goals:
1.) Clearly communicate the goal
In order to execute a goal, you must first clearly communicate and understand your goal. Secondly, understand the purpose behind your goal. After that, you must create habits based on what you want to see. When you understand your goal, you are able to answer the following questions: What is my goal? What am I expecting to see happen? What steps do I need to take to accomplish my goal? How will reaching this goal impact my life?
2.) Start the process
Starting the process is the first step to actually making your goals a reality. It’s a powerful step because it shows how committed you are too doing what you said. Starting gives you a sense of ownership and responsibility in the process of obtaining your goals. Getting started creates in you a greater level of expectation and excitement which is needed to help us finish the process.
3.) Envision Success
What you envision determines how you finish. Envisioning success keeps you encouraged in the process of obtaining your goal. It can help you shift your focus to self-motivating questions such as “What small steps can I take today to reach my goal?” and “What is a new way of thinking about my goal that would help me to be successful?”
4.) Track progress
Tracking your progress is crucial as it enables you to gauge your progress and make informed decisions, by monitoring your daily activities and regularly assessing how your current actions are propelling you towards your objectives, you can refine your approach and stay focused on your goals, setting deadlines and milestones can also help maintain momentum and drive you closer to achieving success.
5.) Reward Progress
Being rewarded for all the work you put forth is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Think about your high school or college graduation: how did you feel? When you are rewarded for the progress you make, it motivates you to keep going and compels you to finish strong.
With the start of each new day comes the opportunity to get closer to your goals. I want to encourage you to be intentional and take action every day. Take things one step at a time and envision the success you want to see. Turn aspirations into achievements this year. It’s going to be hard, but hard doesn’t mean impossible. One of the scriptures I am standing on this year is Proverbs 31:25: She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. It takes a lot of strength to continue to move forward after a year like the last few years. This year is going to be a year where I believe in great things; I stand on God’s word, plan, and execute. Standing on God’s word has been the foundation of what has brought me through over the years. Without Him being the center of it all, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. I’m thankful that He has kept me, especially through this last year, and has given me the opportunity to share my story and my journey of growing. Thank you so much for reading.
What’s one thing you dream of achieving this year? What is your first step to achieving that dream? Comment below, I would love to hear your story.
Intentional Hope 