6 Ways to Making Progress in the New Year

The fact remains that the previous year does not have to be perfect before you develop a positive outlook as you enter into a new one. The fact that you had a rough 2018 does not indicate you will continue the trend in the year 2019, as long as you develop a positive mental attitude and excited about the goals and aspirations of the New Year.

The approach of the New Year usually comes with mix-feelings, which vary from one individual to another. For some, it’s excitement and for some, it’s anxiety. Your present state of mind determines your perspective about the coming year. I have discovered a few clues to having a positive outlook and perspectives when it comes to approaching the New Year, and at the same time, remedies to anxiety at the beginning of the year, with solutions to making progress.

Here are responses from a couple of young people when they were asked what they felt about the coming (New) year…excited or anxious?

Response 1: “He said that he wasn’t really excited for New Year’s because it’s “just another day” like the others. You count down, you celebrate, then you go back to life the next day.”

Response 2: “There’s something intangible about it, but I can actually feel the old season pass and a new one come.”

It is highly fundamental to know that a person without a set of specific goals, aspirations and vision is bound to be confused, which usually leads to anxiety, loss of self-esteem and depression. I believe for everyone with set of goals and aspirations, there are strategies attached to such individuals. It is therefore crucial for everyone to sit back at the end of the year or the beginning of the New Year and write down the various goals and vision for the year. As humans, we are created with intuition to discover ways of achieving our plans, which automatically dissolves any source of anxiety.

There must be a thirst to learn new things. Your must crave to know more of God. You also need to be willing to learn skills about that project, develop in your career path. Etc. (Phil 3:12a) “¹²Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected;..”

The fact remains that the previous year does not have to be perfect before you develop a positive outlook as you enter into a new one. The fact that you had a rough 2018 does not indicate you will continue the trend in the year 2019, as long as you develop a positive mental attitude and excited about the goals and aspirations of the New Year. Paul the Apostle, in his letter to the Philippians 3:12-16, stated that though, he could not say boldly that he is in perfect condition now, but he is optimistic that the future is bright as long as he is able to forget the past and focus on his goals and aspirations for the future.

“12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. ¹⁶Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.”

6 Ways to Making Progress towards Your Goals In the New Year

Willingness to Learn – There must be a thirst to learn new things. You must crave to know more of God. You also need to be willing to learn skills about that project, develop in your career path. Etc. (Phil 3:12a) “¹²Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected;..”
Total Submission to Christ Jesus – You must be willing to give your totality to Christ. When you surrender all and lay down at His feet, you will then see the manifestations of His supernatural power at work in your life. (Phil 3:12b) “but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”
Forgetting the Past – Leave the past and focus on the future. Forgive this who have hurt you in the past years and start a journey on a clean slate. Also do not remember the loss in the past…they are now in your past. (Phil 3:13) “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,”
Being Positive & Upward-thinking – You need to develop a positive thinking and this leads to progress in all you do. When you are positive, it is certain that you will experience a transformation if you are consistent. (Phil 3:14) “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Be Sensitive to the Spirit – Listen to the Spirit of God, as He will teach you all things. (Phil 3:15) “¹⁵Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.”
Staying Connected to Christ, the Source of Strength – Jesus is the way up. Once you are connected to Him, you are on your way to the top. (Psalm 84:7) “They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.”