I just posted about my Word of the Year for 2025, which is Practice, so while I've started making some plans for the year, I haven't got much on paper yet. I'm still at the stage of plugging some dates into the calendar and making decisions about what will be on my "25 in 25" lists. Planning a calendar isn't going that well, because I haven't even got my 2025 wall calendar yet! (Amazon tells me it could be here today.) If I'm going to focus on practice, that means I need goals. A standard or destination to reach by practicing. I also need a plan for when and how to work on those things. As my husband likes to say, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
A lot of us are in planning and goal-setting mindset as we begin a new year. Whether you like to plan down to the minute and prepare for even the small details, or whether you prefer a flexible and broad framework style of planning, it's probably top of mind these days.
(Want to plan ahead for Wednesday Quotes? The themes and dates for the 2025 link-ups are at the end of this post!)
Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination. ~Fitzhugh Dodson
The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break. ~Rick Hansen
I tend to prefer the loose framework style of planning, but I've learned that I still need to have a framework that's sturdy enough to keep me on track, and I need to have milestones and deadlines. A plan that's too general and has no measurable and definable goals isn't really a plan; it's just a vague wishlist. Sort of like thinking how nice a vacation would be, but never checking what the tickets would cost. We need financial plans, vacation plans, meal plans, diet plans, exercise plans, lesson plans, and more. Those plans are the tools to reach the goals of major purchases, retirement, travel, dinner each evening, losing weight, getting healthier, learning or teaching something new . . .
It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
And so, with my WOTY chosen, I'm now working on choosing the definable goals and figuring out the steps I'll need to take to get there.
Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now. ~Alan Lakein
Our goals can only be reached through the vehicle of a plan, in which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success. ~Stephen Brennan
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| I used to love doing homeschool lesson plans! |
With plans in place, it's time to put the plans into practice!
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
~Proverbs 21:5~
There is plenty of wisdom in the Bible's Proverbs related to setting goals and planning, along with reminders that all our plans and work need to line up with God's plans in order to truly succeed.
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps.
~Proverbs 16:3, 9~
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
~Proverbs 19:21~
This verse from Jeremiah is a popular one for graduation cards, and is a reminder that even when we don't understand why things aren't going as we hoped or planned, God's plans are always for our good. I've found that to be true myself. Aspects of life didn't turn out the way I expected and MY plans had to change, but I've had to remember that God is never caught off guard by the things that throw me for a loop; and to trust that in his love and wisdom he's got something good for me.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
~Jeremiah 29:11-13~
Whatever you're planning for 2025 and beyond, I pray that your plans will be guided and blessed by God!
May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.
~Psalm 20:4-5~
It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him. ~J.R.R. Tolkien
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Wednesday Quotes is a bi-weekly opportunity for bloggers to share their writing, poetry, photos, or stories inspired by our theme. We've chosen the themes as a starting point for your creativity, and the only requirement is that your post include at least one related quote. Feel free to combine or "double-dip" with other writing or photo challenges as well. Of course, we'd appreciate a link back to us, if you'd be so kind. Add your link and please visit others and leave a comment! The link is open for two weeks.
Thanks to Marsha at Always Write for introducing us to the Wednesday Quotes challenge, and for passing the hosting duties along so we can continue sharing great quotes! Wednesday Quotes is co-hosted by Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Sadje at Keep It Alive.
Quoting reminds me there are other people in the world besides only me.
And other thoughts besides mine, and other ways of thinking.
~Gregory Maguire~
Wednesday Quotes 2025 Themes
January 8 - Planning Ahead/Setting Goals
January 22 - Winter Sleep
February 5 - Love Inspires Us
February 19 - Staying Balanced
March 5 - First Impressions
March 19 - Looking After Yourself
April 2 - Competition
April 16 - Spring Colours
April 30 - Morning Routines
May 14 - Memorable Vacations
May 28 - Telling Your Stories
June 11 - Summer Fun
June 25 - Patriotism
July 9 - Hobbies
July 23 - Being Adventurous
August 6 - Spirituality
August 20 - Writing Letters
September 3 - Chocolate
September 17 - Making and Keeping Promises
October 1 - Autumn/Another Spring
October 15 - Daily Bread
October 29 - Night Skies/Stargazing
November 12 - Good Manners
November 26 - Celebrating Holidays
December 10 - Winter Wonderland
December 24 - Holiday Memories
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This is great Kym. I'm bookmarking this post so I always have your topics at hand. I thank you for using all the scripture in your posts. That motivated me to use more scripture in the new poetry book I'm publishing soon. More to come. :)
ReplyDeleteI love including Scripture when I can - no better book exists to find wisdom in a quotable form! Looking forward to hearing more about your poetry book - sounds exciting! Thanks for stopping by and commenting
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