Fall is nearly here. I have one more week of vacation time left. I have been spending a lot of time with my wife this summer just hanging out. Resting and connecting are essential. But a new season is approaching.
I have always felt that New Year’s should begin on Labor Day. Its really when the fun stops and the effort begins a new. A clean slate is a good feeling. I have my calendar full already for many months of this next year. But I am also taking care that I leave room for what is important. I don’t want to squander a new year.
I counted the number of productive weeks I have in my life recently. This is a yearly practice. I figure I have I have 832 weeks of high productivity ahead. Fortunately I have had the ability to keep my mind very young. I have been repeatedly told that the core group I appeal to is usually twenty-years younger that me. I have 52 weeks ahead of me this week.
I plan on doing a bit more travel this year. We are planning some multi-site gatherings around the country from our church, which will take some travel. I have a few trips planned for research gathering at some graduate schools and churches. I plan to travel with my wife on a couple of vacations this year. And I have a few seminars and consultation efforts I have lined up. But for the most part I will be at home working no true priorities.
I write songs. I am behind my schedule. I am planning to start back at it this fall. And my preaching is taking a real priority this year. So I have a lot of research to take on. And I am going to get back into my hobby of photography. Lots of stuff coming up.
I have found over the years that the quality of your journey and how much you do excellently depends on the quality of your start. Here is an outline of the elements of a good start that will get you through the year:
- Review your opportunities.
- Silence your fears about your future.
- Reduce the noise factor in your life…get it down to one to three tunes.
- Plan audaciously.
- Remember the tendency is to experience entropy.
- Plan seasons to refire yourself this year. You will begin to lose enthusiasm and energy. Plan for it.
- Become a friend to challenges…. Don’t fall into discouragement.
- Make a new optimistic friend…shed a few negative ones.
- Plan what you will give in money, time and prayer.
- Write up three paraphrases of what your life will look like at the end of the next 52 weeks.
- Review the ten greatest moments in your life.
- Get a new word from God for a new season
- Find who you will help succeed this year.
- Forgive those who fill your mind when you are quiet.
- Save…Only use 80% of your assets and energy in your plans and save the rest.
- Read the lives of great men and women…ask yourself what is the difference between them and me.
- And after all that buy a book titled, “Iconoclasts” by Gregory Bernes. It will help you.
See ya soon….DM
