How likely do you think you are to keep your New Year’s Resolutions? Well, according to the experts, only 8% of those reading this post will keep theirs. And most in that group will fail by February.

What’s the problem? In the end, resolutions do not fail for lack of good intentions or will-power. They fail for lack of adequate planning.

Simply wishing that you’ll be a more intentional Christian in 2019 will get you nowhere, because hope is not a strategy.

Why Habits?

Over one year ago, a friend wisely advised me, “Set habits, not just goals.” He understood that goals are meaningless if not implemented by daily habits. Simply put, a goal is a desired destination; a habit is a roadmap that gets you there.

In the words of John C. Maxwell, “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”

Aristotle noted, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Someone once observed, “Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.”

As Cassidy and I plan for the New Year and this first quarter, we realize that our priorities and goals will rise or fail on the strength of our daily habits.

In this post, we’ll discover how to start at square one with priorities and goals. Then we’ll move on to habits, the daily drivers of success or failure.

1. Start with Priorities

Some time ago, I reflected on my life direction. That day, I crafted a simple list of six ranked priorities. I was amazed at how much clarity that basic list provided.

The past couple weeks, Cassidy and I have discussed God’s faithfulness and our stewardship in the past year. In reflection, we asked ourselves, How did God demonstrate His faithfulness last year? What things would we do differently this year?

We pondered questions like those below.

• In regards to time and priorities, how can we learn from the successes and failures of last year?
• What priorities did we maintain last year, as reflected by how we invested our God-given time?
• What should be the top 5-10 most important things in our lives this year, based off of God’s Word and will?

With the backdrop of God’s goodness and an understanding of the mistakes and successes of the past year, Cassidy and I clarified our priorities and goals, and began articulating a daily plan to reach them.

2. Craft Goals Around Those Priorities

What goals can help you move forward in each priority and life area? Make sure they’re SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Time-Bound).

A goal is not a wish; it is a destination. In the fitness category, a goal might be, “Lose 20 pounds by running 2 hours a week, eliminating most sweets from the diet, drinking more water, and getting adequate sleep.”

3. Identify Habits That Reflect Your Priorities and Goals

Once you understand your current position and your desired destination (priorities and goals), you’re then ready for the roadmap to get you there (habits). Ultimately, these habits, good or bad, will determine your success or failure in each life area.

A Few Possible Habits

You can find a list of ten habits for every Christian in the free ebook, 10 Ways to Become a More Intentional Christian. Just click on the link to get your own copy. Below are a few more ideas.

Do you want to memorize Philippians in January? Here’s a habit for that: Memorize 10 verses every week by memorizing for 10 minutes during your personal devotions and reviewing during the day and right before bed.

Are you a busy older sibling but want to do something fun with a younger sibling each day? Implement a before-bedtime habit of interacting with your younger sibling before bed each night. You can find some practical tips in this short book, The Intentional Christian’s Guide to Building Meaningful Family Relationships.

Does your walk with God need to be revitalized? Habitually set aside the first 20 minutes to 1 hour every day to spend in Bible reading, meditation, study, memorization, and prayer.

Have you lost your compassion for the lost? Commit to witness habitually with a friend or ask God for one witnessing encounter every week.

Some of My Habits for 2019

Below are a few of the habits that I’m focusing on this year. Some are new habits that I’m implementing, while others are old habits that I’m perfecting.

• Continue consistent, meaningful, structured time with God each morning through His Word and prayer.
• Complete 50 pushups every day.
• Drink half of my weight in ounces of water every day.
• Lead Cassidy and Wallace in family devotions.
• Take a family walk each day.
• Recite 3 Psalms to Wallace daily.
• Read 1 book a week.
• Conduct a weekly, monthly, and quarterly review.

4. Implement Daily Habits

According to Jim Rohn, “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”

If you want to keep going in February, unlike the roughly 80% who don’t, then define 3-10 new habits to instill next year. Rather than overloading yourself with all of these habits at the start of the year, you might try instilling one new habit every week, or every month.

After enough practice, your habit will become second-nature.

5. Reconnect with Your Eternal Purpose

Your habits will fail if you forget how they fit into God’s greater design for your life.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

You were created and commissioned for God’s purpose. May that purpose reflect itself in your priorities, goals, and daily habits, as He empowers you by His grace to do His will. How would 2019 look if you implemented the right habits in your life?

As you “press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” intentional habits will help you become more like Christ, one day at a time.

QUESTION: What habits will you instill this year? Why?

Recommended Resources:

10 Ways to Become a More Intentional Christian

The Intentional Christian’s Guide to Building Meaningful Family Relationships

How to Live a Life of Stewardship in 2019

Why You Need Priorites (And How to Determine Them)

How to Conduct a Successful Weekly Review

Are You a Fast-Food Christian?