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I love makings lists and setting goals for myself. Every year, I dutifully type up a list for our family to accomplish within 365 days. I will often include a couple items from a previous years’ list that weren’t finished, add a few new ones, and roll over the same goals we work on every year, like maintaining physical shape, etc.
No matter how hard I try, I never finish all the goals I set, but this year I had…(ahem)…only 1 item crossed off my 2011 list. Yikes.
I can attribute it to a variety of reasons, some I feel comfortable sharing, some I can’t just yet. Either way, I have come to the realization I cannot tie myself to a 10 bullet point list of impossible to-dos anymore. Not because it is too disappointing, but mostly because it’s not always reality.
So, this year, I’m giving myself a little more leeway by taking a cue from David…
“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple.” ~ Psalm 27:4
and the Apostle Paul…
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 3:13-14
Notice the trend? Both characters boiled down their requests/desires into one thing – not twenty. David never wanted to take God’s presence for granted, while Paul refused to look back, and instead, pursued Christ-likeness.
I decided to take the same approach to my yearly goals. I would rather excel in one thing, than divide my attention among more items than I can count. I don’t want to be stretched to the limit, rushing from one project to the next, hoping I complete everything before looming deadlines appear, all while leaving me breathless in between. I also don’t want to take a half-hearted approach to anything I do, which becomes incredibly easy with a packed schedule and never-ending to-do list, mostly self-inflicted.
It all led me to the one word I have thought and prayed about since learning of this unique anti-resolution option. It’s the word God would have me implement in 2012.
Focus.
God knows I can’t do fifty things at once.
Focus.
God knows I want to do fifty things at once.
Focus.
I would be in denial if I thought this would be easy, the very word conflicts with every fiber of my annoying personality traits. However, the goal here is see God work in one aspect of your life, so when you reach the end of the year, you have a better measure of where you began in the first place.
If you are interested in learning more about One Word, I encourage you to check out their site. They will have blog posts running throughout the year to help you stay on track. I would also love if you dropped me a comment here, and let me know what word you picked.
Have an amazing 2012.
to The Feminine Intellect, your connection between the Bible and the real world. 
My one word is going to be “Passion”
So often I can get lost in the mundane; whether it be projects at home, various tasks at work, or even ministry that I lose passion for what I’m doing. I want to approach 2012 with a goal of putting passion into everything I do – especially when it comes to my walk with God.