by alicia michelle, your vibrant familyback,+looking+ar… · how will you determine if you’ve...

by Alicia Michelle, Your Vibrant Family

Copyright Alicia Michelle Your Vibrant Family 2015.

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Welcome, friend!

Whether it's New Years or you're just ready for a fresh start, it's always a wonderful time to set goals and determine direction for our lives. We continually need to be seeking God and asking Him to show us His plans (not our own). When we can quiet our hearts and ask Him to show us a full snapshot of each aspect of our lives, it is amazing what we can discover!

Abraham Lincoln is famous for saying, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." What a great point! I completely agree with what Abe says here: The most effective action plans are those based around careful research and preparation.

The Bible says it this way in Ecclesiastes 10:10: "Using a dull axe requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed." God wants to give us great wisdom through our planning and decision making (the best ideas on how to sharpen the axe, so to speak) in order to make us successful.

The following worksheets are designed to do just that--to help you to discover God's wisdom about your past experiences (where you've been); your current situation (where you're at); and His potential plans for your life (where you're going).

These are powerful, insightful methods that I pray will bring you renewed vigor to not only discover but to accomplish all the great things God has in store for your life!

Once you've completed the assessment, check out the top 25 Your Vibrant Family posts and top 70 Pinterest Resource Boards for ideas and inspiration in meeting your goals.

No matter what your plans are, commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will be successful (Proverbs 16:3).

Be blessed, be encouraged and, most of all, be excited by what you discover in these worksheets!

Warmly,

Alicia MichelleOwner/Editor, YourVibrantFamily.com


http://yourvibrantfamily.com/new-years-inspirational-messages-2015-posts/

http://yourvibrantfamily.com/best-pinterest-boards-follow/


looking BACK Does it seem strange to start your plans by looking backward? We often think, "I don't want to look back! I want to move on!" Although it's true that we don't want to live in the past, examining what has happened helps us understand how we got here. Take a few moments to think through each of these questions and answer them honestly. Give yourself grace for the trials and credit for the triumphs--both experiences are valuable.

What great things did you accomplish this past year?

What are you most proud of?

What do you wish you could change about the past year?

How did God provide, help you move closer to Him or grow your character?

What blessings came from both the trials and the triumphs of the past year?



looking AROUND This section consists of two parts. In order to take a true assessment of where we are, first, let's take a look at what is currently depleting and what is currently replenishing our joy reserves.

Part 1: Determining Joy Levels as Related to Regular Activities

Write down all your regular activities in the left hand column (taking care of kids, cooking, cleaning, other specific activities, etc). Next, quickly go through each item and determine your joy level regarding that task by writing a smily face, neutral looking face, or a sad face next to each one.

Don't think too deeply about your response--just write down your first and natural response. Simply consider: What current daily activities or tasks bring joy? Which things make you feel neutral (neither add to your joy nor take it away)? Which things deplete your joy levels?

By the way, don't feel bad if you have a lot of sad faces (I certainly did when I did a similar exercise as part of the Replenish 365 course). There are no right or wrong answers here, and no one will see your responses but you! Keep grace and honesty at the forefront here. Remember, this is not a judgement of our lives but simply an assessment tool so that we can identify the areas that need healing.

I've divided each list into different categories

• Homemaking• Parenting/Mothering Tasks• Marriage• Other Jobs/Responsibilities• Self Care/Health

Charts for each are on the following pages.

Remember, smily face for things that bring you joy; neutral-looking face for things that neither add to your joy nor take it away; and sad face for the things that deplete your joy.

Ready? Let's go.



http://www.wellgroundedlife.com/replenish-365/

Homemaking

Specific Task Joy Level



Parenting/Mothering




Marriage




Other Jobs/Responsibilities




Self Care/Health




Part 1 (continued): Making Sense of the Joy Chart

Great job! Now that you've gone through the chart and written down as much as possible, let's start analyzing what you've written down.

1) Quickly add up the number of smily, neutral and sad faces for each chart. What is the predominant theme (joyful, neutral or non-joyful) for each life segment?

2) Examine each task and run them through the following grid:

Joy tasks: Begin by praising God and thanking Him for the presence of these joys in your life. What can you do to focus on these joys (ie, gratitude journal, daily time thanking Him for these blessings)? What can you do to bring more of these joys in your life?

Neutral tasks: What aspects of these tasks could be shifted to bring more joy? What can be added in? What can possibly be removed?

Non-joy tasks: Take each of these through a three-step process listed below.

Must Do?: Is this item truly a "must-do" item for this season? Is it something you can let go of (either because it no longer serves a purpose for this season, or because it's out of the realm of what's truly necessary right now?) Can you remove it from your list? If not...

Shift?: Can you shift it to someone else? Is there someone else who can take on this task or responsibility? If so, how could this not only lighten your load but also perhaps bless someone else? If you can't shift it...

Reframe: How can you reframe your perspective on the situation? What could God be trying to teach you through this, and therefore, what aspects of His character do you need to concentrate on, or what do you need for Him to develop in you to allow you to not only endure through this season but thrive?

I've included a chart on the following page for you to complete for each of the non-joy tasks. Depending on the number of non-joy tasks you have, you may consider copying this sheet and using one for each of life segments (marriage, .parenting/motherhood, etc).



Non-Joy Task Must Do? Shift? Reframe



Part 2: Apply Insight and Gather Perspective

Now that you’ve done this, take good look at the insight you've gathered and answer these questions.

What are your biggest struggles? What areas do you see room for growth?

Are there negative mental processes or incorrect thought patterns that keep you trapped? If so, identify them and, using scripture, determine why these mental struggles are not of God.

What new opportunities are around you that you’d like to try? Based on your own passions and desires, what current opportunities are available in your life that could add to your joy levels?



looking AHEAD Based on all that you've learned about yourself through this exercise, lastly, let's put together your unique and beautiful goals for the coming year.

What two or three things will you focus on this year?

What will you work on first? Second?

What is your plan to make these goals happen (steps, resources needed, advice)?

How will you include grace into these goals (mention grace course)?

How will you determine if you’ve successfully met your goals?

What scriptures can encourage you in your endeavors and will remind you of your unchanging true worth (whether or not you fully accomplish these goals)?

I am so excited to hear about the great plans that God is going to do in you and through you this year!



by alicia michelle, your vibrant familyback,+looking+ar… · how will you determine if you’ve...

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