Good News - November 2019

LIFEPOINTS 24 NOVEMBER 2019 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition New Year’s resolutions can often last into early February, but intentional planning can make a huge difference. Here are some tips for you to be a more effective person and leader in 2020. Next year is going to be so great, in part, because you took some time to think through a simple personal plan for your- self and your family. Spontaneity is great, but so too, is having some sort of relationship/family plan. Good lead- ers make good plans that give others a real sense of purpose and accomplishment. If you asked a son, daughter or spouse what the family wants to accomplish next year, would they have an answer. Do you or your family have a theme for 2020? Is there any strategy improving the sta- tus quo? Are you living more in a reactive mode or a proactive mode? Do you have something to learn from those who have made an artform out of being ready for the year ahead? Corporate America is pretty good at devising strategies and making plans for the coming year. Good corporate leaders have long since as- sembled key people in their businesses to define an upcoming annual theme, to set goals and objectives, and to intentionally plan for growth in the next 12-14 months. Good leaders orchestrate a future while others are seeking to simply get by in the present. Just the thought of an annual plan seems a bit daunting. Maybe you are not into devising an overwhelming plan but that doesn’t mean that some kind of plan, if only simple, will make a huge difference for you in 2020. The following simple ideas, if implemented, will make a big-time difference for you in 2020. Time with Others Ok, this tip is a hard one to pull off, but the principle, if followed just a little bit, will make a huge difference. Think about a spouse or child or significant person in your life and try to “intentionalize” the amount of quality time you invest in one an- other. For married couples, consider going on a date once a week. A date can be a romantic dinner together or hanging out at Home Depot. A date often follows taking a shower and in a perfect world, is enjoyed in the absence of cell phones. In addition to a weekly date, intentionally hang out together one day a month, one weekend a quarter, and one week a year. This same principle works for kids when just one child gets a whole “date” or day outing with the parents a month to do what can yield the highest gain for them, the parents and the whole family. Continuing Education? Anyone who has a license for most any reason understands the need to take a few required “continuing ed” classes to maintain their credentials. Why not you too? Think about two or three aspects of interpersonal relationships where you (or your marriage) could use some improvement. Next, pick some intentional ways of improv- ing in those areas in 2020. Maybe you need some tips in the areas of communication, timemanagement, parenting, personal boundaries or procrastination (unless youwant to work on that in 2021) or staying focused and increasing your memory. What are the areas of relationships that causes you and others the most grief? Address these areas in the following ways: Read two books next year that will help you improve in your worst areas (or you and your spouse read 2-3 books to- gether next year and discuss each), ask a friend to coach you in an area that they are really strong and enjoy the benefits of accountability. Go to that personal fi- nance course offered at a local church in your area. Learn all you can about “Love Languages” and start loving others better. Evaluating 2020 Next year can be best evaluated in retrospect if you define your “win” for next year. Youonly really know if you succeeded if you first defined success. NewYear’s resolutions fade inFebruary but “intentionalized” plans to love and invest in one another yield results for a lifetime. Plan to influence others and be the leader you know you can be in 2020! Dr. Gary Hewins is the President of lifepoints.org , a coaching and consulting ministry to ministry leaders and preachers and the Senior Pastor of Community Bible Church in the picturesque mountains of Highlands, N.C. Are You in Reactive or Proactive Mode? - Dr. Gary Hewins - Lifepoints President First Baptist Fort L more informat For ols, Christmas car Join us, alongside y First Baptist Fort Lauder Sunda First Ann o auderdale invites the South Florida c .firstbaptistftl w more surprises great food, and a fe , friends, and neighbors, fo ard, Fort o dale - 301 E. Br ember 24, 2019, at 5:00 v , No ual Christmas Tree L y ward Boulev our family ion, please visit www mmunity to the om/christmas .c along the way! r an afternoon of Lauderdale, FL 33301. PM g ightin