HAPPY PRODUCTIVE NEW YEAR

         Happy new year to you my dear reader. I feel like shouting to the heavens. I don't know about you but 2017 was a blessed year for me. My 2017 was way better than my 2016. I welcome you to a new year. A new year so filled with many possibilities. A new year that is still freshly packaged with trailer loads of successes. Successes in your business, academics, relationships, marriages, finances etc. I see you smiling at the end of 2018 because of the many unbelievable successes you would record in 2018. Once again I welcome you to Espiritus Koinonia blog. A blog where it is our express desire to bring you into closer intimate relationship with the Godhead through Holy Spirit inspired write-ups.
Ecc 7:10

10

KJV:Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
          I believe that by now, you would have received tons of text messages, phone calls, videos and even messages on social media wishing you a successful new year, a year of continuous victory, a year of abundance, a year of divine favour, a year of double double etc. The list could go on and on. I have personally received beautiful text messages from amazing friends along this line. But can I talk to you Sir, can I talk to you Ma, saying or wishing someone all these things won't make it happen. The only new thing about 2018 is the change in figures from 2017 to 2018. Aside from that there is nothing new. 2018 still has the same number of days as 2017 had, it has the same number of months, names of the month or days of the week as 2017 had. Infact, it has the same calendar structure as all these past years. So it means that 2018 in itself doesn't mean you will ride a new car or that you will build a new house or get married or be in a Godly relationship or that you will make all A's in your academics. Our above scripture says it is not out of wisdom that a man asks why were the former days better than the present. Let me show you ways in which you can actually have a blissful and productive new year.
1. ASSESSMENT:
                 I know you have heard that a lot. But ask yourself, do you truly and honestly take assessment of your previous year. Are you even serious with the assessment taking? This new year why not change that. Buy a new notebook probably 60 leaves or 80 leaves, title it "MY VISIONS, GOALS and PLANS". I have mine and everything that I will be showing you, I have been doing since 2014 by God's grace. I can tell you brethren each year has been better than the previous. In your notebook, your first heading can be "assessment of previous year", write down how you truly fared in your academics, business, family relationships, courtship or dating, relationship with friends, in ministry etc. The list isn't exhaustive. If you desire a very productive 2018 be serious, truthful and honest about your last year assessment. After that, your second heading could be "where am I today  (1/12018)" ?. Write down where you are now, how spiritually vibrant you are, how financially buoyant are you etc. The previous heading contained your challenges, failures, setbacks, achievements, what made you fail or succeed while this second heading talks about where you are now i. e as at the end of 2017, how far had you grown spiritually, financially, academically, maritally etc. Remember if you desire a better year be honest.
2. YOU WON'T ALWAYS BE PASSIONATE :
               This is what many of us know but we don't accept, believe or prepare for it. The truth is there will be moments in 2018, when you won't be interested in going or working to achieve your set goals. Right now, I bet you are bubbling, excited and promising to do this and that but you won't always be that way in 2018. Probably because of failures, depressions, setbacks, over confidence or circumstances beyond our control. Why or when these moments come, we can't accurately say. But when these moments come, what do you do? Go on a personal retreat. Yes, that's right, go on a "PERSONAL RETREAT". That word "retreat" has been so often used that we have forgotten its meaning and essence. During war, when a captain sees that his comrades are falling, beaten and being killed. He orders for a retreat, the essence is to treat his wounded soldiers, strengthen the weak ones, motivate or increase the morale of his comrades so that when they go back to the battle field, it will be flawless victory all the way. When you find yourself in these moments where you feel like giving up, go on a personal retreat not church retreat please, there is a difference.
3. SET GOALS:
          I know you have heard that a lot. Motivational speakers tell us "set your goals, achievable and realistic goals". After your second heading ( you thought I forgot?), your third heading could be "what is my ultimate goal, goals in 10 years time, in 5 years time?". The essence of doing this is that it stretches you to really sit down and think. What do I really want my life to mean at the end of it? What things do I hope to achieve in 10 years time, what goals do I hope to achieve in 5 years time. section them into paragraphs. This is not a rush rush exercise. Take your time. Remember you can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results. That means that if you expect a different result(s), do something different. The fourth heading could be "how do I achieve them?", what are the plans, procedures, programmes, training, seminars etc that you know would enable you achieve these set goals. Please be serious about it. Write out the plans for the ultimate goals, 10 years and 5 years goal differently. The fifth heading could be "what is my goal for 2018?". Write out everything you hope to achieve in 2018. Is it marriage, building or buying a house, owning a car, starting a business etc. Sixth heading should be " how does it tie in with my ultimate goal, 10 years goal and 5 years goal?". The one year goal, you have written, does it have a relationship with your ultimate goals, 10 years and 5 years goals? Would it bring you closer to your ultimate goal?( if yes then kudos, you are on track), will it drive you further from your ultimate goals, 10 years and 5 years goals? ( if yes then re-write it), is it completely off-course with your ultimate goals, 10 years and 5 years goals? ( if yes, then re-write it ). The seventh heading could be "how do I achieve my one year goal?". Now write out the plans to achieve them, it is not enough to just write goals or visions. Everyone knows their destination or where they want to be or achieve in the year 2018 but not everyone knows how to get there. You have written the one year goal, fine thank God, now write out how to carry them out. After doing that, break your goals into months. At the beginning of each month, after taking assessment for previous month, write out the goals that you want to achieve that will help you achieve your one year goal ( I have a separate note for that, you could do the same or use the same note for all). Also write plans to achieve your one month goals.
4. BE DETERMINED TO FOLLOW THROUGH :
            It is not all about writing new year resolutions. I bet for every year, you have written new year resolutions but have never followed through with any or maybe some. Let this year be different, be determined about following through with your goals, plans and achieving them. Remember when you feel down, go on a personal retreat, it could be a fasting programme or going to talk to your mentor or your spiritual father. I read a story some years ago about Billy Graham, he had some friends ( 5 in all) with whom he would meet with periodically probably once or twice a year or a month etc. Their purpose of meeting was to share challenges, fears, successes and encourage one another for better results and ensure that none backslides or had fallen out of grace. Probably you have been blessed with such divine friendships, make use of it. If you are married or in a relationship, I think your partner should know about your goals and he/she should be able to motivate and constantly see that you are going about achieving your goals.
5. SUBMIT YOUR PLANS TO GOD:
             This is the most important of all. Without God, your plans won't even leave the ground. I don't think I need to write much on this. You should know that you are nothing and would be nothing without God. No matter the kind of plans you have or friends or counsellors. Let him approve and bless your plans if not you would struggle to achieve them and still not be able to.
               I hope you have been blessed by today's write-up. Please leave your comments, questions, suggestions in the comment box and share this post if you have been truly blessed. You can also write me by gmail, anointedsaviour1@gmail.com Like our Facebook page Espiritus Koinonia. The world is dire need of the word of God. Join us spread the Word by sharing this blogpost. God bless you and do have a wonderful, fruitful, exciting new year ahead. Remember he who fails to plan, plans to fail. Remain blessed, shalom!!