Church & Ministries

5 Steps to Transform Your Life in 2017

Steps

We’re all familiar with making New Year’s resolutions, and we all have every intention of following through with them saying, “This is the year I’m going to lose the weight, quit drinking, fix my marriage, etc.” However for the majority of Americans, these resolutions often get tossed to the curb along with the holiday garbage, and within weeks, people fall back into their old habits.

According to The University of Scranton, a mere 8 percent of people will successfully achieve their New Year’s goals. For this reason, I propose a change – rather than making a mere resolution this year, focus on making true life transformations. That means not simply addressing the symptoms of problems but taking a very hard look and addressing the heart of those issues. Transformation means a thorough and dramatic change – a real life change.

I have five key steps below to help get you started in that process.

Let go of the resolutions you made in 2016 that didn’t work.

There is no use beating yourself up for past failed resolutions. Often, those resolutions stem from unrealistic fantasies and expectations and wind up doing us more harm then good when we realize we have failed yet again. Forgive yourself and others and move forward.

Focus on making transformations in your life.

No matter if it is to lose weight, heal relationships, etc., take the steps to begin true transformation of the issue. Address your past issues head on rather than simply addressing the present-day symptoms. If you aren’t able to do this on your own, this leads to my next tip.

Seek help.

If what you have been trying to do isn’t working, get the help you need from professionals and individuals trained to help you achieve the end results you seek.

Focus on the good things

Too often it is easy to see the negative things in life. A marriage not going smoothly; a job you aren’t happy with; a fight with a close friend; and myriad other issues that drag you down into the depths of depression and darkness. Instead of focusing on that, re-aim your focus and think on what is good, right and holy (Phil. 4:8). Think about the blessings in your life. Give thanks for the gifts you have been given, such as God’s grace, Jesus, forgiveness, the blessing of parenthood, the fact that you have a job, clean water, good food and a home to call your own.

Go into 2017 with a Plan!

No business becomes successful without a strategic, well-thought plan. The same goes for your life. Write out on your own, or with the help of friends, family or a professional, the plan and steps needed to get you where you want to be at the end of 2017. When ideas and thoughts are realized on paper and are placed in front of you, making that transformation becomes much more achievable.

With these five steps in place, you are well on your way to changing your life for the better. I hope 2017 is the year you realize your dreams and take the necessary practical steps to get there.

5 Steps to Transform Your Life in 2017, by Stephen Arterburn, is an article from Pastors.com. © 2012 Pastors.com.

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