Can I share how daunting the new year can be?

I kind of feel obligated to be on my “A-game” because everyone else is trying to be on theirs. And honestly, I think resolutions are so 2015. 😉

So this year, in 2016, I have decided to set goals for the different parts of my life. There’s definitely health goals and professional goals that I have written down. I’ve also decided to set goals for a very important, and sometimes neglected, part of my life. My relationships.

Yup, I’ve written down what my relationship goals are. Our lives are made up of the memories and day-to-day activities we share with the people we make time for, the people we share a meal with, and the people we let our guard down for.

At times, I look back at an event or a conversation or a misunderstanding and I think to myself how it could’ve been better or maybe avoided. The habits we form relationally affect us daily. And some of the habits I’ve become accustomed to, are not very healthy and aren’t honoring to God. Some of those habits can be hurtful for me and others. That is why this year I want to be healthy. Not just physically, but most importantly, relationally.

Ok, so here’s some of my relationship goals:

• LISTEN to people when they speak. Because sometimes I tune them out and I pretend to listen. Not nice.
• Spend more time with my family. Because I’m not very intentional about making time for them and that is hurtful.
• Be aware of the time I spend with my husband. Because my marriage should be a priority.
• Stop gossiping. It’s toxic and it doesn’t honor God.
• Set strict boundaries with people who have abused my trust. Because God’s word teaches us to guard our hearts.
• Be generous and give others from the resources I have been given by God.
• Learn when to say no and when to say yes. Because if I say yes to too many things, I’ll have to say no to the people that need me the most.
• Be honest about my feelings and have the courage to say it without being rude.

All of these goals challenge me. And that’s why they should be goals. Setting goals for ourselves is inspiring and wonderful because they don’t ever have expiration dates. You keep trying till you reach them. I’m going to keep working on these goals, past 2016, until I reach them. In the process, I hope that the people in my life feel more loved, appreciated, and respected.

What about you? Have you set your goals for 2016? What about relational goals?