I love inspiring people to set goals. I love it even more when they reach their goals. I read recently that 4 out of 5 people who make New Year’s resolutions this month will eventually break them. In fact, 1/3 won’t even make it to the end of January!

I love what I heard TD Jakes say, “Don’t repeat this year what you did last year!”

If you struggled in an area last year, make up your mind that you will defeat this thing and get in the best shape of your life. Personally, I felt very strong about the Lord telling me to get in the best SHAPE of my life this year…and not just physically. I want to encourage you to do the same. That includes: your relationship with God, your finances, your fitness/health, your family/household, your friendships and your future dreams/goals.

First, you have to define what “being in shape” means to you. It can have totally different meanings to different people. Is your relationship with God all out of shape? Did you find yourself getting too busy in 2010 to read His Word or spend time in prayer? Then, you need to get your relationship with God in shape. What does that mean to you?

What about your house? Is it all out of shape, clutter has piled up, drawers are junky, closets are stuffed and you can’t park your car in the garage anymore?

What about your personal finances? If being in your best shape financially means getting out of debt, then write that down. Always, always, always be specific when setting your goals. Vague goals produce vague results. How much debt do you have? Have you added it all up? How much do you owe in credit cards? Have you called to find out the pay off for your car(s)? Do you have any school loans? Add up every bit of debt you have and write it down.

I do not believe that just setting big, lofty goals on January 1st is enough to help you see change in your life. I am absolutely convinced that the secret to your success can be found in your daily routine. It’s what you do every morning when you wake up that determines whether or not you reach your goals.

It’s been reported that nearly 40% of people who break their resolutions attribute it to having too many other things to do. In other words, they are not laser-focused on really reaching their goals. They are easily distracted in their daily schedule.

If getting out of debt is one of your biggest goals and you do not want to repeat this year what you went through last year, then I highly encourage you to keep that vision in front of you. Out of sight IS out of mind. Keep that ‘written vision’ in front of your eyes at all times! Put it in your daytimer, on your iPad, on your computer screen, on your refrigerator, some place where you will be forced to look at it….at least once daily!

Then, do something to educate yourself in that area. Learn from the best. Plan a day (very soon) to go the bookstore and get a book on finances. Read articles online. I highly recommend “The Automatic Millionaire” or “The Total Money Makeover”. Invest time in reading it. Plan it in your daily schedule. You could read 10 minutes during your lunch break. Or 30 minutes before bed. Statistics prove the average American watches 4 hours of television a day. If you just cut out 30 minutes a day to read, study, educate yourself in the area of your most important goals, you will have invested 15 hours this month into reaching your goal. Every day matters.

Make this the year that you get in the best SHAPE of your life! Do what you need to do to make each day count. You have more time than you realize each day to do something that will move you toward your goals. Most importantly, don’t repeat this year what you did last year. Get ahead this year by getting focused on your most important goals and keep them in front of you.

Happy goal-setting!