17 SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL YEAR!

INTRODUCTION:

As the year draws to a close, we celebrate God's blessings and look ahead to even greater growth. A relevant question you might ask yourself is:

"How can I make this new year a success?"

If you're asking yourself this question, the answer is found in this new teaching. You will discover the 17 essential keys to a fruitful year.

In this teaching, I share with you 17 secrets for a fruitful year. I am convinced that if you apply these 17 secrets and principles before the end of the year, you will glorify God and testify to His name in your life, for you will see, by His grace, how much fruit you will have borne by the end of this year.

Psalm 118:17

I will not die but live, and will proclaim the works of the Lord.

In this new year, I prophesy that you will witness the works of the Lord, which will transform you and make you an example to many. God's name will be blessed by what will happen in your life. Follow the advice in this teaching, and I am confident that you will testify to His name in every aspect of your life during this new year. Amen.

Here is my list of advice: "17 SECRETS FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR"

1. REVIEW THE PAST YEAR:

To start the new year off right, begin with a thorough review of the past year: reflect on your progress and your weaknesses. This self-reflection will allow you to approach the new year with confidence.

PROVERBS 16:20

“The one who considers with wisdom finds good; blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord!”

2. HAVE A CLEAR VISION:

Your success in this new year depends on a clear definition of your goals and what you want to become. Throughout the year, this vision will guide you and help you achieve your dreams.

Proverbs 29:18

“Where there is no vision, the people perish; blessed is the one who keeps the law!”

WHAT IS A VISION?

A vision is the ability to see clearly and in detail what you want to accomplish. It's the ability to anticipate what you want to build, achieve, become, and accomplish in your life.

It's a dream you want to turn into reality. It's the act of seeing, or how you imagine and mentally represent what you want to build.

WHAT IS A VISIONARY?

A visionary is someone who can think about and plan for the future with imagination and wisdom. They know where they come from and which direction to take to reach their goals.

It's essential to understand that vision and perception are inseparable and practically impossible to separate. A good visionary is, above all, someone who can see, not physically, but mentally, through thought.

Indeed, the life of a true visionary is characterised by three essential points:

1. THE IMAGINATION:

The first essential quality of a good charismatic leader is imagination; they must be able to clearly visualize, through their creativity, what they wish to accomplish.

2. THE WISDOM:

The second essential quality of a good charismatic leader is wisdom; it allows them to master their imagination, plan, and bring their vision to fruition.

3. KNOWING WHERE TO START AND WHERE TO GO:

The third essential quality of a good charismatic leader is their ability to define their starting point and destination; they must know their path and the direction to follow to reach their goal.

IMPORTANT (TIP):

A person lacking these three qualities is not a visionary. And if you decide to follow them, believe me, they will lead you nowhere. They may be an excellent manager, but not a visionary. A manager is responsible for implementing someone else's vision, but they cannot define their own.

Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish; blessed is he who keeps the law!

THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAR VISION:

A clear vision will help you avoid confusion and ensure effective follow-through. Your keywords will allow you to target your goals, tasks, and the opportunities that will arise throughout the year.

IMPORTANT (TIP):

To avoid distractions and stay focused on your goals throughout the year, I recommend starting by writing down your goals and vision in a journal. This will allow you to regularly remind yourself of the path to follow and stay focused on your objectives.

Then, focus your efforts only on what is a priority for achieving your vision. Avoid all distractions; above all, don't waste your energy on things that will lead nowhere.

Habakkuk 2:2

The Lord spoke to me and said, “Write down the vision and make it plain on tablets, so that it may be easily read.”

3. CHOOSE KEYWORDS THAT DEFINE YOUR VISION:

“WHAT DO KEYWORDS MEAN?”

Keywords are abbreviations, short words, or specific phrases that allow you to express your vision in a few words, without too much text or lengthy descriptions.

Here are some examples of keywords:

Keywords can be a single word or a short phrase. For example, the keywords that express the vision of our local church, FREEDOM HOUSE CHURCH, are: REPENTANCE, DELIVERANCE, RESTORATION, HEALING, MIRACLE, CHURCH REVIVAL. These words help us stay true to our vision.

Here are some examples of keywords you can personalize: shine, strength, courage, discover, simplify, inspire, visible, radiant, motivation, adapt, facilitate, begin, progress, joy, forgiveness, compassion, organized, brilliant. If none of these words inspire you, look for them in the Bible, the Word of God.

THE IMPORTANCE OF KEYWORDS:

They help you stay focused on your vision, avoid following others' visions, and select the goals, tasks, and opportunities that will arise throughout the year so you can dedicate your efforts only to what is truly essential to your vision.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR KEYWORDS:

After defining your vision for the new year, you need to choose keywords that describe it. I know this can be difficult for some, but this guide is designed to help you choose the most relevant keywords—those that clearly summarize your vision.

Here are some criteria to consider when choosing your keywords:

Your keywords should clearly express, in a few words, your vision for the new year: what you want to feel, think, be, or accomplish.

4. REGULARLY CHECK YOUR KEYWORDS:

Throughout the year, to avoid being distracted by activities too far removed from your vision and objectives, it's important to regularly ask yourself: "Are my actions aligned with the keywords of my vision?" This type of question will help you stay on track, avoid getting sidetracked, and remain focused on your core vision.

5. DEVELOP A PLAN:

Develop a clear and detailed plan outlining your objectives for the period from January to December, incorporating elements different from those of the previous year. Your plan should be as precise as a map, defining your long-term vision for the year and your monthly or quarterly objectives, and helping you focus solely on the actions that will enable you to achieve your annual vision.

Habakkuk 2:2

The Lord spoke to me and said, “Write the vision, and write it on tablets, so that it may be easily read.”

6. SET GOALS:

Setting goals is essential for channeling your energy and avoiding wasting time on uninteresting or unproductive activities. It's important to understand that clear goals motivate you to work harder and improve your performance, which can lead to success.

FOUR POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN SETTING YOUR GOALS:

To avoid getting lost in the process of choosing your goals and to ensure you've selected the right ones for the year, it's important to consider the following four points. These points can help you choose your goals effectively and stay focused on your vision for the year.

1. GET ORGANIZED:

Organize yourself to differentiate your goals and avoid confusion between your family, personal, and professional objectives.

2. KEEP FOCUSED:

Use your vision and keywords to define your goals for the new year. When defining and planning your goals, ensure they are consistent with your vision and keywords.

3. AVOID SETTING TOO MANY GOALS:

Don't set too many goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Try limiting your annual goals to two or three to focus your efforts on achieving them.

4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CATEGORY:

Your goals can be categorised into the following areas: finances, health and well-being, leisure, home, family, personal and spiritual development, career, etc.

HOW TO KNOW IF I'VE CHOSEN THE RIGHT GOAL:

First, it must be very specific; second, it must be measurable; third, it must be achievable; fourth, it must be relevant; and fifth, it must be clearly defined in terms of time or calculated independently of your schedule. These five elements are essential to achieving your goals. Think about them to ensure you've made the right choice.

1. SPECIFIC:

You need to know: What do you want to accomplish? Who needs to be involved? When do you want to do it? Why this goal?

2. MEASURABLE:

How can you measure your progress and determine if you've reached your goal? Are you able to conduct your own assessment or self-assessment to determine if you're progressing toward your goals? If not, would you be willing to seek the help of an expert to evaluate your progress?

3. ACHIEVABLE:

Do you possess the necessary skills to achieve this goal? If not, can you achieve it? What motivates you? Are you prepared to overcome all the obstacles related to its achievement? Are you willing to make the necessary sacrifices to complete these projects?

4. RELEVANCE:

Why am I setting this goal now? Is it consistent with the overall objectives of my vision for this year?

5. TIMELINE:

What is the expected timeframe for achieving this goal? Am I capable of achieving it within the given timeframe?

IMPORTANT (TIP):

Before going any further, ask yourself all these questions. If you can answer them clearly, it means you have chosen the right goal for this new year. On the other hand, if you cannot answer them clearly, it means you might have difficulty achieving this goal; in that case, I advise you to review your annual plan.

7. THINK BIG, BUT NOT BIGGER THAN YOU:

Setting clear and precise goals is essential for finding the right balance between excessive ambition and a lack of ambition.

When choosing your goals, it's always advisable to think big in an ideal world, but be careful: your ambitious vision, or your ability to dream big, must not exceed your potential—intellectual, spiritual, financial, or material.

Having great ambitions should always be proportional to your talents, charisma, and confidence in your ability to achieve them. Otherwise, you risk embarking on a project you'll never finish, due to a lack of energy to match your vision. This is why many projects fail: a lack of energy relative to the vision.

Before starting a project, ask yourself what you want to accomplish by December. Then, assess your talents, skills, financial resources, and intelligence, and determine if you can achieve this goal within the given timeframe.

Finally, define your dreams and establish the necessary steps to achieve them. Then, prioritize your objectives, while remaining realistic about the time you have to make your dream a reality.

Luke 14:28-32

“Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to war against another king, does not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if he is not able, then while the other king is still a long way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, whoever among you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

8. DEVELOP YOUR NETWORK:

Expand your network and be open to new encounters, whether with new colleagues or friends, in a friendly and professional setting, within your industry or beyond.

This will allow you to benefit from the experience of others and acquire new knowledge that will help you develop your talents, skills, and work methods, and improve your quality of life.

9. SEEK ADVICE FROM YOUR SUPERVISOR:

Seek advice from your superiors, whether they are your mentors or more experienced individuals. Their guidance can help you improve your performance, character, personality, and talents, thus contributing to your success.

NOTE:

Don't forget feedback from those close to you, such as your friends, family, and anyone who appreciates your work and can offer honest and constructive feedback that is useful for your development. Never neglect this approach, as it can be the key to your success.

Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel, plans fail;

but with many advisers, they succeed.

10. COLLABORATE WITH OTHER TALENTS:

Be a team player: If you are involved in your local church, be willing to put aside your personal goals to serve the overall purpose of God's work.

If you are self-employed, be open to help from other talented individuals who can assist you in growing your business, company, or personal life. Collaborating with other talented people can save you time and energy, allowing you to achieve your vision and foster your success.

11. SEPARATE YOUR WORK AND FAMILY LIFE:

Organize your year by clearly separating your family life, friends, romantic relationships, and professional life.

Maintaining a clear separation between your professional and personal life is important. Knowing how to keep them separate will allow you to stay focused and avoid mixing everything together, which can lead to failure.

Luke 2:42-51

When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the festival. 43 When the festival was over, they returned home, but the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, without his parents realizing it. 44 Thinking he was with those traveling with them, they journeyed for a day and began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 Three days later, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers of the law, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 He answered them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 He went down with them and arrived in Nazareth, where he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

12. MAKE A LIST OF UNNECESSARY THINGS:

To avoid distractions that could divert you from your vision and annual goals, and to avoid wasting time, I advise you to make a list of things not to do: note down those that will be of no use to you this year and that will waste your time unnecessarily. Be careful not to waste it on frivolous activities.

13. ADOPT A ROUTINE THAT PROMOTES YOUR PROGRESS:

Know that the lives of great people—kings, presidents, and even CEOs—are based on a daily routine. This routine will help you develop discipline in your personal and professional life, thus contributing to shaping your character and personality.

Therefore, those who aspire to success must be prepared to adopt a daily routine that allows them to accomplish something new each day in order to progress toward success.

NOTE: (TIP)

Be careful that your creativity doesn't disrupt your routine, because it's through creativity that you'll develop discipline, both personal and professional. Without discipline, success will be difficult. Discipline and routine are essential to the life of a hardworking person who dreams of success.

Here is Jesus' routine:

Mark 1:34

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place to pray.

Luke 6:12

At that time Jesus went up on a mountainside to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

Luke 22:39-46

Then Jesus went out, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.

14. WORK ON OTHER PROJECTS IN PARALLEL:

Whatever your current activity, don't hesitate to work on other projects simultaneously. Success can sometimes come unexpectedly, so be prepared to embrace life's surprises.

15. GET INTO THE HABIT OF REVIEWING YOUR GOALS:

Implement a system that allows you to review your goals every quarter! Regularly dedicate time to reviewing your objectives and success plans. Analyze what worked and what didn't. Adjust them accordingly.

Stay accountable, track, and evaluate your goals regularly. Analyze your quarterly progress and assess your achievements. If things haven't gone as planned, adjust your plans and seek effective solutions to more easily reach your objectives.

16. PRACTICE THE TRADITION OF SELF-REWARD AND SELF-MOTIVATION:

First, prepare yourself to motivate yourself despite opposition and discouragement, even if no one encourages you to reach your goals or believes in your vision. Stay motivated, as God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.”

Next, don’t hesitate to give yourself a small reward at each significant milestone.

This will motivate you and give you a sense of progress and accomplishment that will encourage you to go further.

Finally, don’t see your failures as a reason to give up, but rather as an opportunity to learn. Success is the result of determination, and failure, the result of weakness in the face of adversity. Be determined and motivated to achieve your goals and realize your dreams this year.

17. PUT GOD AT THE HEART OF YOUR GOALS:

It is essential to understand that in everything we undertake, we cannot succeed in this world filled with malicious people without God's help. That is why tip number 17 is all the more important.

When planning your goals for this year, let us not forget to consider God as the One who gives us the opportunities, abilities, talents, resources, energy, and time necessary to accomplish what we need. For it is written:

(Proverbs 16:3)

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

Putting God at the center of your goals means that your objectives should not serve your personal interests, but first and foremost the interests of the Kingdom of God, which gives us the breath of life. It means that by acting as a child of God in every goal you wish to achieve this year, God must see its benefit.

So ask yourself: What role will the Kingdom of God play in your purpose for this new year? For God can only act when it serves His interests or when His interests come before ours.

Proverbs 16:9

A person's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Psalm 60:12

With God we will perform miracles; he will trample down our enemies.

Genesis 11:1-9

Now the whole earth had one language and a common speech. 2So people moved eastward and found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone and bitumen instead of mortar. 4Then they said, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them well.” “Let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5Then the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6The Lord said, “Behold, these people are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they will undertake. From now on, nothing will be impossible for them. 7Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth. Let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8So the Lord scattered them from there over all the face of the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth, and from there they scattered them over the face of all the earth.

Proverbs 19:21

A man makes many plans, but the Lord’s purpose stands firm.

Amos 3:7

For the Sovereign Lord does nothing until he reveals his plan to his servants the prophets.