Your Vision for 2007: What is it finally time for you to do?

What dream have you buried? What words have you left unsaid for too long? What goal has been ignored because you are “too busy” to get to it?
I remember the day nearly eight years ago that I decided to dust off my long-held dream: becoming an author. I’d talked about writing a book for years. I had even started writing two of them, but simply ran out of words and never finished. Then one morning, while getting dressed for work and daydreaming about my book, I made a shift. “It’s time to just do it,” I realized. I was tired of thinking about it and making excuses about why I didn’t have time. Quite frankly, I wasn’t even buying my own excuses any more. I knew it was time to do whatever it would take to move forward.

This month as we kick off a new year, ask yourself, “What is it finally time for you to do?” Perhaps there is something you’ve been talking about doing, thinking about doing, even daydreaming about doing. And in 2007, it’s time to make a move! Ecclesiastes 5:3 inspires me whenever I get stuck in a rut of over-thinking my vision in a particular area of my life:
A dream comes through much activity, but a fool is known by his many words.
Whether your dream is related to your work, relationships, finances, health or spiritual life, it will only come to life when you take action! So what is it time for you to take action on? Consider the five key areas of your life to help you identify what it’s time for you to finally do in 2007:
Your WorkIs it time to change jobs? Change careers? Ask for a raise? Launch your own business? Take your existing business to a new level?
Your RelationshipsIs it time to move past fears or past heartbreaks so that you are healthy and ready for love in your life? Is it time to forgive a family member or friend against whom you’ve been holding a grudge? Is it time to carve out more time for the people you love? Is there a conversation that’s long overdue?

Your FinancesIs it time to stop using those credit cards that you don’t pay in full every month? Is it time to set up an automatic debit from your checking into an investment account so that you can finally bring your savings goals to life this year? Is it time to take action towards getting more (and better) clients or customers? Is it time to stop spending money to impress others?
Your HealthIs it finally time to get serious about exercising consistently? Or is it time to cut back on the sugar or fried foods, or add more vegetables to your diet?
Your Spiritual LifeIs it time to trust God in a particular situation or area of your life? Do you finally need to find a “church home” that nourishes you in the way that you need to be nourished? Is it time to get serious about studying the Word?
Whatever it’s finally time for you to do, make a decision this month to move forward. It’s not about creating a New Year’s resolution. It’s about making a shift and recognizing that the time to thrive is now. If you ignore the need for a change when it's time, you will find yourself increasingly frustrated. Often God will allow you to get frustrated so that you will finally become fed up enough to do something about it! That's where I was when I began writing Rich Minds, Rich Rewards in 1999. I knew there was a book inside of me and I was so tired of my own excuses and procrastination, that I finally started writing. Your dreams can come true, but your job is to take action! It begins with a decision and continues with each step you take forward.
It is essential not to begin the year by overwhelming yourself with multiple, large changes and goals. Get clear about what's most important and focus your actions on it.

My Challenge to you This Month
Identify the “thing” that it is finally time for you to do. Then take action, at least a baby step, towards making it happen!

Journaling Assignment
What has kept me from taking action on this particular circumstance or issue in the past? What will I need to do differently to make a change? What is my specific goal in this area of my life for 2007?


Personal Prayer
Lord, give me the courage to pursue the desires you have placed in my heart. Help me make the needed shifts to do the things you have called me to do. Empower me to let go of my excuses and do whatever it takes to get the breakthrough I long for!

Revista Thrive¡