Books for Change and Setting Goals

I’m quite terrible at setting goals. No, wait, let me rephrase that. I’m quite good at setting goals – and not very good at seeing them through to the end.

For example – I’ve been doing an intense daily exercise and eating program for 21 days with a group of women. I started a week behind them, so when they finished, my third week somewhat petered out. I took my measurements, was happy with what I saw, and decided to be done. And that’s the not the first time I’ve done that.

People will say, “My, you have good self control!”, but in reality, I’m just not eating THOSE sweets in front of you. I’ll get home later on and be hungry, and out will come the cookie jar or container of frozen brownies from the freezer (or the leftover Halloween candy).

I LOVE to read. I used to devour books and spend most of my free daily time reading. That was before the internet, and writing (well, and kids, too :D) – all good things, but if I let them take over and don’t set aside consistent reading time, there’s no time left for indulging in a few good books.

There’s this stack of books from the library and my bookshelf that I’d really like to get through before the New Year. It seems a bit daunting and discouraging when I look at them. But I am determined. A chapter a day MIGHT get me halfway, 2 would be even better.

The 31 Days of Making Purchases That Make a Difference goal DID happen. I DID see it through. I had determined at the beginning to not write on weekends, and to just use the weekdays, working hard toward the goal. And though I missed a couple days here and there, the important thing is that I finished. I prayed the Lord would use these words, and I’m already beginning to see and hear about wheels turning in the minds and hearts of those who have been reading.

In reality, my issue isn’t so much with not seeing goals through to the end, but setting realistic and not so dramatic ones that I can actually stick with. Oh, and even more importantly, prayer and having someone there to keep me accountable.

That’s the only way I’ve been able to train for and race a 5k and two 10k races, and that’s the only way a half-marathon is going to happen in the spring. I’m starting off small with a personal goal for November with the Pile on the Miles Challenge, and then we’ll go from there!

That’s the only way I’m going to get through that stack of books I want to read – a chapter at a time, a few at a time.

That’s the only way I can get up each day and start off right with prayer and time in the word, pushing off everything else that “needs” to be done if it’s threatening to take away from my time with God. My small group and book study women are praying for me, The Man helps to keep me accountable.

Reality, prayer and accountability.

What helps you to see through the goals you’ve made?

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Though we’ve officially wrapped up our 31 Days of Making Purchases That Make a Difference series, I wanted to finish this week out with some interesting and encouraging books that I’ve picked up and some that are on my list to read.

These books have amazing messages and stories of how stepping out of our comfort zone and into the hearts of others changes our lives; how we can do life serving the Lord and others sacrificially, living it to the fullest and using it to help and speak for others; the downfall of the mindset and production of “cheap” fashion; and how having too much stuff affects us. They’re all worth a read!

(PS: *I have included affiliate links in this post When you purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting this site! A portion is also donated back to charitable organizations and ministries.*)

You and Me Forever – Marriage in Light of Eternity, by Francis Chan (Canadian link to buy)