2024: Start the Way You Intend to Finish

Posted by: DVULI | December 18, 2023

By Jordan Francis (Phoenix 2017) 

 

Wow! 2023 is over!  

So now that 2024 is here, how do we make it a year to remember?  

Leverage. 

Effective leaders know how to use the positive potential of change, knowing that seemingly small actions can have a significant impact. – DVULI.org 

What small changes can you make that will have a major impact down the road? 

We believe we can think of ways to change in the West, but this isn’t how it works. 

What we do affects the way we think. If you notice, when you do something for a long enough time, how you feel about it starts to change. I assume many of us have a few big personal and ministry goals for 2024.  

 

Here are seven ways urban youth workers can achieve their 2024 goals: 

 

  1. Establish habits to achieve your goals. 

We often think about goals regarding how we see ourselves if we achieve what we aim for, not necessarily what we need to do to get there.

This is where leverage comes in.

For example, maybe you want to get healthier in 2024, whether losing weight or changing your diet.

This is a process. Often, we can try to do it all in one swoop. Instead, we can develop habits that build on each other to achieve the goal.

Rather than saying you will go to the gym and eat healthy starting in 2024, what if you changed one meal daily to a healthy meal or committed to a low-impact form of exercise to develop the foundational habit?

 

2. Practice patience and kindness towards yourself.  

As you learn to do new things, understand you’ve been doing it the old way for a long time, and it will take a while to develop new habits. You will fail in this process. It’s okay. The most important thing is that you keep moving toward your goal and keep developing those new habits.

This isn’t to say you make excuses for yourself. You still need discipline and commitment, but don’t beat yourself up over mistakes or setbacks. Be kind to yourself and understand that change takes time.

 

3. Set priorities to help you define your goals. 

We all have limited time and energy, so it’s important to identify what is most important and focus on those things. This will help determine your goals for the year and set realistic expectations.

Be open to change and flexibility.

As you work toward achieving your goals, unexpected events or new opportunities may arise that could alter your goals.

  

4. Create a Kingdom Values Plan. 

Our colleagues and partners at Urban Youth Workers Institute constantly communicate the importance of priorities to youth workers.

       Follow this quick 3-step process to set your priorities straight in 2024: 

  • Write what is most important to you (up to seven areas).
  • Start with the most important to the least important.
  • Write “Kingdom” alongside of it.
  • Use this to shape how you set goals and build habits that cultivate your priorities.

  

5. Find accountability. 

It’s important to have someone or a group who can keep you accountable and support your journey toward achieving your goals. This could be a mentor, friend, or even an online community. Share your goals with them and ask for their assistance in keeping you on track.

It’s even better if they’ve got goals you can help them achieve, too. Have a set time each week to check in with each other to ensure accountability.

  

6. Celebrate small wins. 

Don’t forget to celebrate the small victories along the way! Each step toward achieving your goal is a reason to celebrate and be proud of yourself. This will also motivate you to keep going and inspire you to continue making progress.

  

7. Surround yourself with positive influences. 

We often underestimate the power of our environment on our mindset and actions.

To achieve your goals in 2024, surround yourself with people who support and encourage you. Avoid negative influences and environments that may hinder your progress.

Additionally, consume positive content and information to inspire and motivate you toward your goals. This can include books, podcasts, or even social media accounts of individuals who embody the success you are striving for.

  

Here are some resources to help you along your journey in 2024: 

Books: 

Podcasts: 

 

 

Let’s use leverage to build the right habits and achieve our goals in 2024! 

Happy New Year!

 

 

 

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