Every new year, people all over the world make resolutions and vision boards to create a visual of the goals to be accomplished that year. However, usually after three months, we don't stick to them or forget them altogether. We fall right back into our old cycles or develop bad habits instead of shifting our minds back into focus. The word shift means to move from one place to another or move in another direction. To change directions, that would require you to stop going in circles and repeating the same cycles. If you want to shift your mindset and maintain it throughout the year, here are five steps to accomplish just that. But first, watch this declaration Pastor McBride gave on New Year's Eve about SHIFT!
Forget the Past
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved [perfection], but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." Philippians 3:13 (NLT).
It can be so hard to move on from your past when you're trying to better yourself. So how do you do it? You look towards the future. Focus on how you are going to accomplish every goal this year, the type of people you want to surround yourself with, the kind of life you want to live. Look ahead and not backward.
There is a quote that says, "Be careful in turning memories into monuments. Instead, turn your monuments into momentum towards your future." Pastor McBride explains what exactly that means in this short clip here.
As he said in the video, you cannot allow your past to control you. What has hurt you before, you must learn to let it go. What has gotten you into trouble before, let it go. If you're trying to do better in your life, but certain people are not helping with that, let them go. If your past still has control over you, you will never be able to walk forward into a different mindset. Even the good times you may have had with someone, you know when it's time to move on because that person may not be going in the same direction as you. That's okay! Cutting people off does not have to be a negative thing. You can still be cordial to an old friend but still have boundaries on how close you two are. It's called loving someone from a distance.
Affirmation
"Words kill, words give life they're either poison or fruit—you choose." Proverbs 18:21 (MSG).
Do you realize how powerful your mouth is? The power of your words can affect how you see yourself, your life, and can manifest what you want to happen this year. Because of this, you must watch what you say! Do not speak death over your life by talking down to yourself, saying statements like, "I knew this wouldn't work," or, "This is never going to happen for me." Also, don't speak death or negativity over anyone else's life because you will reap what you sow! You will have whatever you say.
To affirm something, you state [it] as a fact, assert strongly and publicly. Speak life into yourself every day. Compliment yourself, compliment others, tell yourself that today will be a great day. Whenever you have a negative thought, change that into a positive one. Affirm to yourself who you are until you and your thoughts believe it.
Affrimation then produces manifestation. Manifestation is when your "it" becomes clear or evident to the eye or mind. Right now, you may not see your "it," but as you continue to affirm and speak things into existence, you will see your "it" manifest right before your eyes.
Self-Discipline
"Jesus said, 'No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off until tomorrow. Seize the day.'" Luke 9:62 (MSG).
Discipline is defined as the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior. Do you have rules or routines set in place, or is your life pretty chaotic? Is there some structure to your life, or do you "go with the flow?" Discipline is necessary because you learn how to manage your time better, and organization becomes an essential skill. How do you gain discipline? Just like a muscle, you have to work at it every day until it becomes routine for you. For example, if your goal is to work out for thirty minutes every day, set a specific time you want to be in the gym. When you accomplish a simple task like that, you are working towards discipline. Starting with small tasks and completing them consistently will build that discipline muscle will help you in accomplishing your goals throughout the year.
Accountability is always great in the beginning. If you need an accountability partner to help you stay focus on a particular goal, then get one! But eventually, you're going to have to take the training wheels off and ride this journey on your own.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
"Don't compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of. You must each accept the responsibilities that are yours." Galatians 6:4-5 (ERV).
Comparison is probably the biggest struggle for so many people due to social media. Your followers do not show the many no's they've received before they finally got that yes. Your followers show the highlights of their lives, the good that happens. Because of this, we cannot compare ourselves to one another. Everyone has a process, everyone has a lane, everyone has a gift, and God created every single one of us uniquely in His likeness. We are different, and that is great because there is no fun in being like someone else.
So how do you stop comparing yourself to others? Focus on yourself. Just as Galatians 6:4-5 says, "look at your work to see if you have done anything to be proud of." When you focus on your work, you're too busy to focus on someone else's. Whether that's bettering yourself physically, mentally, or emotionally, starting a business, writing that book, or stepping out on faith and applying for that position. Focus on yourself, so you won't have time to focus on others.
Revive Your Relationship with God
"Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 (NLT).
The most crucial action is to make time for God every day. When you are always in God's presence, it's easier to hear Him; it's easier to feel His love, joy, and peace. Revival means to restore to life, to activate or set in motion. If you want a revival in your life, it starts with a revival in your relationship with God.
It's not enough to go to church on Sundays and for Bible study. God wants to talk to you before you check your phone in the morning. God wants to spend time with you before you get on FaceTime with your boo. God wants you to read about the promises He has for you. Whether you're a new Christian or you've been walking with Christ for a while, it's time to go deeper in God. How do you do that? Through prayer, reading God's word, and fasting!
Watch Pastor McBride preach about the Year of Revival!