Many begin the New Year with great intentions, but quickly fizzle out. Take, for example, the statistics on gym memberships. It seems that gyms have built their business model around us not showing up. According to NPR, Planet Fitness has roughly 6,500 members per gym, but only fits about 300 per gym.

Gym companies understand a fundamental truth about human nature: people are quick to commit, but far less likely to complete.

Luke 14:28-30 describes the consequences of poor planning in this way, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.”

Before committing time to an endeavor, the intentional Christian must “count the cost.” Like money, time is a valuable resource. Only time is far more valuable, because we can’t get more of it.

With that in mind, here are four keys to successfully planning for the next year.

One quick note: This post will contain a lot of questions. I encourage you to not simply breeze through them, but to use these questions to thoughtfully evaluate your personal life.

Learn From This Year

As George Santayana famously observed, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” A few days ago, I typed out 15 things that God did in our life and family in 2019. These highlights gave me gratitude, humility, and honesty.

Here are a few reflection questions you can ask yourself about 2019: 

• What did God do in my life, work, and family this year?
• How faithful was I in everything He entrusted me with?
• How could 2019 have been better? 
• What did I learn in 2019?

Revisit Your Priorities 

It’s quite possible to be “productive” at doing all the wrong things. It’s like a wife who told her husband on a road trip, “honey, we’re driving in the wrong direction.” To which the husband responded, “Yes, dear, but we’ll get there faster!”

Like a GPS, priorities point us in the right direction. Matthew 6:33 exhorts us to live with kingdom priorities. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

• What are my most important priorities? 
• What areas of life need improvement? 
• What do I need to learn next year?

Define Habits and Goals for 2020

Once you’ve reviewed the past year and your priorities, you’re ready to craft specific goals and habits for 2020.

• Based off of where we are right now, and the past, what most important goals and habits should we work on next year? Why are they important? What will they make possible?
• What will this look like every day? What are your activation triggers?
• Who will keep you accountable? What process will you use? How will you foresee and deal with obstacles? 

To better understand the science of goal setting, take a look at the SMARTER framework.

Prayerfully Persevere 

Decision without discipline leads to disaster. To succeed you need both. And the truth is, as you plan and persevere, you need God’s wisdom and strength to carry you through.

In the words of Augustine, “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience [or perseverance] the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”

Truth is, it’s not those with lofty dreams and visions who go the farthest; rather, it’s those with undying faith and unwavering perseverance. As Arthur Gordon Webster remarked, “Nothing is easier than saying words. Nothing is harder than living them, day after day.” 

Are You Committed?

My Mother used to tell us children, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” John Maxwell said, “For anything that’s worth the price, make the commitment to follow through.” You have to commit now. But you also have to recommit every day. That’s the basic nature of discipleship. 

Nothing worth doing was ever easy. But on the positive side, the greatest rewards come from the things that require the most effort. By God’s grace, 2020 can be an eternally significant year. All He asks is that you daily follow Him in faith.

Question: Why is planning important for the intentional Christian?