Everyone who has set a goal or held onto a dream has HIT A WALL in the process of achieving it. Everyone faces obstacles in the pursuit of excellence, healing, completion of a building, or attaining a healthy body or meaningful life. Everyone. Therefore, the achievement of any goal requires perseverance at every stage. You simply do not know if it will in the early, middle, or final stages of your pursuit when something or someone gets in the way of your success and tempts you to give up.
This week, we begin our series with a view of the end. Whatever your goal or dream--and we all have them; they differ for each of us--you must be strong and resolved, not just at the beginning, but in the middle and especially at the end of this 12 month journey. It makes good sense to divide your goal into 52 or even 12 manageable stages during which you can see progress and remain resolved.
FYI: To begin this series without a specific goal in mind will keep you from seeing a specific result, so I encourage you to consider from one to four ways you can become a healthier American woman in 2011--physically, emotionally/relationally, spiritually, and/or mentally (organizationally or educationally). Post them in your HAW journal. Post them on the blog!
Each week, in addition to encouragement on the call, I will share a few quotes and verses for you to ponder.
This week, rate yourself (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being high) on your PERSEVERANCE quotient. (How well do you "hang in there" when the going gets tough? How easily are you swayed to quit by your own thoughts or by another's discouraging words? How persistent are you when you want something?)
Assignment: Please answer the above questions and rate yourself--feel free to post--plus, choose one of the following quotes or verses that impacts you the most:
James 1:2-4
Hebrews 11:1
"Face adversity promptly and without flinching, and you will reduce its impact. Never run from anything and never ever quit." Winston Churchill
"It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through." Zig Ziglar
Starting anything requires taking a look at the ending and determining if you are willing to do all that it takes to get there.
Be encouraged,
Becky
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My #1 would would be to put my life in order to recognize the wisdom of God and his ownership and put my life in order. #2 revolves around organization. I need to balance my work and personal lives. My work life makes the money to afford my personal life. It is only with God's wisdom that I will find the path that will allow me to work with my customers and guide them. That wisdom will also show me how to organize my personal life to allow for time for God, myself, my spouse and my home and family.
ReplyDeleteIn rating myself for perserverance I would have to say I am about a four. I start out strong and then about half way through the journey I loose my focus and get distracted.
In working with the Read It / Love It / Live it group this week, I've seen time and again of our family tree of people no different than myself. However with the disciples of Jesus they followed- No questions. They had their detours but they would come back home.
Becky, you were GREAT on the radio tonight! Loved hearing Roger too!
ReplyDeleteGreat Column. Looking forward to the new year.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I would like to do this year is to be more consistent in all areas. That means writing on the blog, kneeling at bedside, weighing in on Wed. (which I did not do for the month of December - slipped my mind - and now I have 4 lbs to work off) be consistent in my quiet time which I will now call my "Hour of Power", and in exercise/stretching and deep breathing daily. I will chose scripture to memorize while I am stretching. I already have Romans 12:12 for this week. I am looking up scripture for the word we are working on for the month (perserverance).
ReplyDeleteMy word for 2011 is Relationship(s) Concrete things I can do to improve my relationships with my husband and children. I will schedule time for coffee/yougart with my daughter each week. Also, with my husband, a night out every other week and hopefully work up to a date night weekly. (He travels a lot) My son, perhaps to the gym with him or golf range practice - have to figure this out. My college son, a regular weekly love letter to him. Mentally, I am working on organization etc with the help of Becky and also will use Flylady. Her ideas for action and using timers are a great help to me for decluttering.
My perserverance is a 9. I do not give up easily at all. If I did, I would have been divorced many years ago. It is our motto in our family. Never, ever give up. Don't quit. I am not a quitter. I get knocked down a lot, but I get back up again and crawl my way to the finish. I am feeling good and determined to make a difference in all that I do this year. I hear that clock ticking away and I am not going to waste away another day of my life. Wooo Hooo!
Glad to be back Becky
ReplyDeletetoday, I came across a poem we all have heard...and in the final line...rest if you must, but don't you quit. Funny that it landed in my hands today as we began the Healthy woman series and as we began to discuss perseverance. Staying to the end of the game. It's not my best trait...I move on before it is time...in my home it leaves messes, in my food choices it means I don't savor my food because I'm moving on...in my relationships I don't let the other person finish and in my heart I've tried to dip my toes into Gods way instead of taking a full body plunge...Wh can persever with such half hearted effort? It is so easy to stop and rest and then like our beloved black lab puppy...forget what we are doing and go off to something else...
ReplyDeletedetermined continuation with something: steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
The translation here is WORK and my head, my heart scream NO NO NO Not more. Not more!!! Yet, the answer is yes, more...when you finish the dishes today, they will be back tomorrow. When you eat healthy today, you will have to do it again tomorrow. When you work to hold your tongue with your children today, you will get to do it again tomorrow...what's the saying....practice makes perfect? I don't think so, but I think practice does make me a better person. I think God's path takes practice and work...but that it is worth it. I think self discipline makes way for God to do his work, but I can't say that I am good at it. I confess that I do seek the approval of others. That's not all bad if they are kinds haearted bpeole, but in my sitauioation, I have sought the approval of omeone who has been emmbaracing sin...caring more for the hope that he would say something anything kind to me than the truth that I am a dearly loved child of god..it is easy to give up when you see k the approval of others...sometimes they will never approve. And funny that We are encouraged with Hebrews 12:11 it was my memory verse at the beginning of the last quater of small changes with becky...I can't tell you how many times I pounded that out on my treadmill...discovering my best method of memorizing...treadmill walking...
I'm not proud of it, but I am a quitter. Instead of persevering God's way, I hear the voices of others telling me I can't and I believe them. I am working on it. I am working on owning my identity in christ and letting that me my source of confidence...I was reading the book CRAVE by Lisa Terkyust this week...and this quote struck home>>>" I am a Jesus girl who can step on a scale and see the numbers as an indication of how much my body weighs and not an indication of my worth." there are a lot of things in my life that I need to look at this way...and then I need to take action, operating in God's truth. Stop living a life of doubt....in the same book, she goes on to say that "Doubt puts our cirucmstandes between us and God while faith puts Go between us and our circumstance." Perseverance calls us to the actions that add up to a life of faith over and over...day in and day out so that eventually, our life builds somelthing great that screams" LOOK WHAT GOD DID!" That's what I want in all areas of my life. I'm going to persevere with my weight, clean up my house, operate in God's truth and relate to people god's way. I'll be working out the goals in more detail this week.
Paige, Today, as I was driving in town, I heard Lysa Terkurst being interviewed on "Focus on the Family" (same as when I first heard Becky speak) about her new book "Crave". I ordered it when I got home - it sounded like a good read! She is here in Charlotte. Amazing you are quoting her....:) Maybe a Godincidence?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I love the term "Godincidence." How appropriate! . . . As I was listening to the recording of today's call for the Read It! Love It! Live It! group, I was reminded of the time in December of 2002 when I stayed home from school with bronchitis. I had the radio on and heard Nancy Leigh DeMoss challenge listeners to take a 30-day challenge to "walk through the Psalms." I ordered her book, and on December 27th began reading the Bible daily. I knew I could do it for 30 days, but I didn't know that it would lead to years of daily reading. Not too long after that I heard Becky speak on "Focus on the Family" and began using her CYL Daily Bible and Prayer Partner Notebook. I don't believe those moments were accidents!
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet listened to the call for this group, but I will do so tomorrow. It's nearly 10:30 p.m. here in Maryland, and students come into the classrooms at 7 a.m., so I'm going to call it a night. I'm already too bleary-eyed to proofread before posting (hence the removed post above)!
Goodnight, everyone!
Pam's plan for perseverance:
ReplyDelete2011 goal to pray, read, and reflect on God's word and with his guidance develop a balance between personal life and professional responsibilities.
At 5 on the perseverance scale, my objective for this month is to seek perseverance through righteousness and wisdom, one step at a time. Hearing the call this morning after posting on the Read It Blog, I am thankful for the verses Becky gave, James 1: 2-4.
Going beyond these..."But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving ito all people, so he will give you wisdom." This was in my prayer!
I have two extra bibles and journals and would mail them to any who email me pseipp@swtexas.net. I want to share this joy! Have a great week!
Here is a link for "Success in the New Year" from Flylady who has great ideas for getting out from under all the clutter! http://flylady.tv/
ReplyDeleteI love the links, the help, the encouragement, the pace. I read every post (just so you know--smile) and I ask you to see yourself in this place every week--active, pursuing, prayerful, and disciplined--of 2011. No quit. B
ReplyDeleteHi everyone, I love your comments. I'm really horrible at blogging so bear with me.
ReplyDeleteI'm excitied about making some meaningful changes this year. But on the perseverance scale I'm about a 2. I have great ideas & plans, but follow through horrible. I get derailed so easy by allowing others opinion etc, change my plan. Have a Blessed Day
This is now my 3rd attempt at writing this. I don't know what is happening but I get the feeling that Satan doesn't want you to read my thoughts. I will put it in small bits and see if I can get this posted.
ReplyDeletePerseverance now a 9 after a great year with Becky's how to make changes. I stayed the course, lost weight, gave up alcohol and soda pop, read the bible through. This is a first for me as before I would start something and get discouraged or be influenced by others. Joan, this is all possible.
ReplyDeleteFunny now it is working. I am excited to think that in November I will be ORGANIZED. (word of the year) At Becky's suggestion I made a list of the rooms in my house that I was going to tackle and organized it in order of months. I found a great website that helped me customize the list. I will link that next. I am starting with the office as I know this is the hub of everything else. Being organized is a big task as I do not think orderly, hate to plan and have piles of paper everywhere. ( I have office stuff in 3 different rooms.) I know that it is possible to make changes and be what God intends for me to be. So ladies here we go!! Woo Hoo!! Thanks for your ear. Love this group!
ReplyDeletehttp://listbean.com great website for those of us that are organized challlenged.
ReplyDeleteHi, Ladies! I love the posts, the tips, the links, and the honest assessments. Earlier this evening, as I was preparing for tomorrow's WW group, I began searching for a quote to use at the end of the meeting, and I found a few that not only suit the meeting topic, but this group's focus as well: (1) "In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it"~Robert Heinlein. (2) Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work" ~ H.L. Hunt. (3) "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future" ~ John F. Kennedy. Then I listened to the recorded call from Wednesday, and wrote down Becky's words, "When you are specific with your goals, you will see specific results."
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, my perseverance for the week and weekend is only about a 7. I am really behind in grading papers, and I have managed to procrastinate this weekend. I wanted to be caught up by tonight, for my next online course begins tomorrow. It is my last one, and although the timing couldn't be worse, I'm eager to get started.
I haven't totally wasted the weekend, however, for took care of household chores, bought groceries for the week and planned healthy meals, and actually got eight hours of sleep a night for the last three nights. This week I just have to make every minute count so that I can finish the papers and keep up with assignments in my online class.
I love the passages from Hebrews and think that if all of us keep in mind the "patient endurance" and "peaceful harvest of right living" mentioned there it will help us all to set worthwhile goals and attain them.
God bless you all! Have a great week!!
Hi All: Been taking my time with this new blog, and gathering my notes and pages for the daily reading group as well.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say, I too like Flylady....good stuff there! Also, I am an online moderator for some Proverb's 31 groups, so have been helping spread the word on Lysa's new book. I believe there is a webcast coming up soon.
I still need to ponder the quotes and verses for this week. Perseverance wise, I think I give up sometimes persevering in prayer. That's not good, I know. In general though, when people knock me down I do tend to get back up and keep going. I'll say it's a 7....
My goals for this group---continue to read the Bible daily (7 for 7, oops now 9 for 9).
Work in more prayer. I have plans to get some arthritis problem looked at, and to continue walking and hopefully exercising with some stretches etc. I do not have weight challenges or food challenges, but am dealing with 40 years as a type I diabetic which creates its own situations.
Finally, I lost my internet job last week (which was boring and stressful.) I am now going back to online content writing jobs, and my goal would be to also focus on some freelancing or creative writing. I'm still looking for ways to serve at church, but our pastor is leaving and this may change the whole environment anyway.
So I am keying in on receiving marching orders from God every day, reading His word beyond just for homework, being more healthy and pursuing writing.
Laura, today when I read Proverbs 3 your name popped in my mind, "and he will show you what path to take." Your in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteWanda, Those Quotes are really good. I can really relate to becoming enslaved by daily trivia. It is so easy to do - now that I can "see" it, I can be set free! Once again, planning and really setting goals is what I am working on presently. We have had 2 snow days here in NC and all of my children are at home. I have still kept to my quiet time and work outs and I hope to get a little more than that done today amidst the chaos! Flexibility, and letting things go...
ReplyDeleteJust started and I'm a week behind! Oh well! Hi all, my name is Donna Barnholt and I live in Chicago. Two years ago my youngest graduated and went to college. A new empty-nester. I'm the coordinator of a women's Bible study at our church and started a support group for mothers doing battle for their high school/young adults in addiction/recovery. That said, I love what God has called me to do...but there are somethings that I just can't seem to focus on constitantly; exercise, eating healthy, spending time listening to God in prayer, maintianing "things" in an organized way. I have for the past two years tried to get my family photos in order and I never get to it. My goal is to have our family album completed by the end of this summer! Organize my bill paying and budget, excersice 4 times a week, loose 8 pounds, organize my prayer journal (and spend quality time daily listening to the Lord) and explore the "next step" in ministry. To answer the procrasination question - I think I'm a 6 on the scale. much room for imporvement. When I want something...I go for it most of the time. Other times it's a great idea...but later I back down and don't act on it because of the time commitment, it's unfamiliar to me, or I lack confidence.
ReplyDeleteWelcome New Gals...great posts, all gals! I think the recent expressions of what we hope for or feel that we're lacking simply reminds us ALL of why we're in this group: accountability. WE ALL NEED IT! Charge on!
ReplyDeleteBe encouraged,
Becky
Carol, thank you; I'm glad you liked the quotes. It's snowing here now, and I'm hoping for a snow day tomorrow. We had an early dismissal (before a flake fell), and I was so eager to get home, use the time wisely, and catch up on some school work. I ate a healthy dinner very early, and then I don't know what happened. I ended up procrastinating from the school work and overindulging in food I didn't really want or need. I got a lot of little things done around the house, but the one thing I really needed to work on--grading papers--I put off. . . . Becky, you are right! We ALL need accountability! Tonight before I go to bed, I will plan tomorrow's meals and will NOT vary from the plan!
ReplyDeleteIf we do have a snow day tomorrow, I will join the call live; if not, I'll catch the recorded version.
Have a great rest of the week, everyone!
W1-
ReplyDelete1. View of the END
I am not sure at all what the END should look like right now.
2. Specific Goal
physically: Loss WT
is a continual battle for me. According to WII fit I am 30 lbs overweight.
Right now I will not eat desert.
Spiritually: Read Daily Bible Daily
Pray for one hour Daily
Committed to Moms in Touch each week
Committed to Change the World School of Prayer/once a month
Don't know about a church. Am not committed to a Church or any thing at a place of worship right now. Still need help with that.
Mentally/time management/organizationally: time stamp how long tasks take. I almost everyday late to work. I don't care. Bad attitude. YAH.
Emotionally/relationally: I want to stop yelling at my kids and feeling out of control in this area. goal: find some ways to calm down.
W1-
ReplyDeletePERSEVERANCE RATE: for this week: 5
Account-ability Partner for all area's of your life.
My son said he would ask me If I worked out today.
no account-ability in other area's not yet.
PICK A QUOTE/VERSE:
Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
I read on and in Hebrews 12:12-13
Therefor, STRENGTHEN your tired hands and weak knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but Healed instead.
I would like to be healed from un-healthy patterns.
Wanda,
ReplyDeleteI too, heard Becky on focus on the Family. I just loved her honesty and how she made the Christian walk more manageable. I was downtown with my family and I didn't have very much money. But, we were in a bookstore and they had Becky's book on sale ...so I bought it. If you could see it now. Its all marked up. I never knew I would have the privilege to take these classes from her.
Micky, your post says to me, "Isn't God good!" He provided exactly what you needed with Becky and look how far you have come. I heard Becky speak 10 plus years ago on prayer. That started me on a journey of prayer that has literally transformed me. So here we are now continuing to hear God's voice in our lives to help us all be what he wants us to be. Micky, when you post I see hope.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I am with you on the photos. I could relate to your last line, lack of confidence, unfamiliar or time COMMITMENT. This year is going to be different. Yeah!
Wanda, I printed your quotes and put them in my notebook. TY
I would rate myself a 2 on the perserverance scale. I record my goals and have good intentions but when the going gets tuff I usually get discouraged, loose my motivation and quit. I am easily discouraged when I get off the track (weekend restaurant eating) or behind and can't seem to get caught up(daily Bible reading). I really, really need to work on perserverance this quarter. These are my goals: Physical--loose 7 lbs (somehow come up with an exercise plan). Emotionally--reduce stress (list & use daily schedule) Spiritually-(keep current w/daily the Bible readings)Mentally--Record in my journal daily & work a puzzle a day to sharpen my mind. So far I am perservering with my goals & I would rate myself 7 for this week. I am very motivated by everyone's posts.
ReplyDelete