This is probably easier said than done but the reality is, we have reached a new year and a whole new mindset needs to be put into motion.

Last year, I wrote an article on setting goals for 2022 – a perspective that sought direction for a journey filled with personal life choices that could help us acquaint ourselves better with this process. This year the narrative builds upon that by putting into practice much of what we have come to learn and acknowledge in the year that passed.

Scripture teaches us in Luke 1:37 that “with God nothing is impossible”. This will be the focus: to believe in the impossible. Let us change the game, with the support of the ultimate game-changer.

Here are five attributes to help embody a mentally game-changing 2023:

1. Confidence (Jeremiah 17:7)

Trust goes a long way but how much more confidence? The Prophet Jeremiah reminds us to not only trust but be confident in God. How many trials and challenges would we overcome, boldly in our faith if we learned to step out in Confidence knowing that we have this superpower at hand?

God is in control. So, we pretty much should have all our hopes and ambitions beneath our belt; if anything, let us consider the journey a learning curve. Have confidence that the endeavor you’re entering into is one that will bear fruitful answers. Don’t focus on the “what ifs” – focus on the “who” – the confidence giver who will help you get through.

Action Items:

• Leave no room for doubt: leaving a door open to question is the problem. Let us not be worried about little things, instead focus on the bigger picture! Your turbulent time or the sudden change in circumstances is nothing but a distraction from what should eventually take the course. Here’s to bigger, bolder, brighter opportunities coming your way! Be confident that there’s a reason for the season you are in.

• Be anxious for nothing: The scripture teaches us this lesson oh too well! Being anxious is really like spitting faith in the face. It’s the opposite of anything progressive really. Whilst anxiety has kept many people indoors, away from sending emails, knocking on doors, and free from any risks – it’s the risky moments, the uncertain times, and the bold moments filled with blind faith that really have the potential to bear results. No action results in no reward. Go and get your reward by suppressing that anxiety and making a move in confidence.

• Act upon your wishes: Faith without deeds is dead. A wish list is a pretty good place to start if you have a set of things you wish to achieve deep down in your heart. Let us plan how we will get to this, by setting out timeframes or timelines of when this would be best attainable. It’s one thing to believe you can get it, it’s another to actually take action and grab it with both hands!

• Understanding that “no” is still a win: There’s no mood crusher than being disappointed. This does not needlessly mean to say you lost. We may have lost the match, yet the battle continues. This is where confidence is all the more a need. Have the confidence to rise again knowing that a better chance, a better opportunity shall rise in due time.

2. Zeal (Romans 12:11)

Have the courage to remain fired up, fueled up, and ready to ignite in a world filled with endless possibilities. We are no strangers to oppression, mockery, rejection, slander, and to injustice – yet this does not make us empty souls without energy and potential. We are all the more capable to Achieve the kind of wins that corruption could never earn. Have zeal.

The scripture by Paul The Apostle to the church in Rome is a sound encouragement that changing the game means never losing the drive and ambition to achieve your goals. He encourages them all the more to be fervent and enthusiastic in their service to the Lord. How promising would 2023 certainly be if every person woke up with an abundance of energy willing to serve, willing to love, and willing to remain focused, not compromising their commitments for mere quick pleasure or selfish gain? Yes, we may face a number of disappointments and temptations along the way; all roadblocks to try and drain us, containing us from ultimately reaching our goal – however, Zeal is the fuel that keeps us going, regardless of what tries to halt our success. Reload your engine with zeal!

Action Items:

• Moaning has got to stop: let this be a year of fewer complaints. Certainly, cold coffee and bitter tea would be upsetting but let us not become accustomed to bickering and nagging. These are simply characteristics that drain you from the energy you have to win. Instead, like the messages in scripture, encourage and build people up!

• Gossip is a no-no: You’re probably thinking this list is full of shouldn’t dos. Not at all. However, these zeal crushers are sad things we just happen to bump into on a near-every-day basis. Gossip is the greatest of them. Let us avoid the temptation to badmouth and course-fully joke about people behind their backs. Imagine a world where you didn’t have to engage in hate speech, let alone find anything hateful humourous. Hated is the enemy of progress and this all starts through the simple action of gossiping.

Instead, let us be fueled with the ability to welcome, cheer and spur one another on out of sincerity and common love.

3. Consistency (Luke 11:9)

There is power in earnest prayer. Consistent faith and action are what make real change in a world filled with passive people. This is a call to be active like the parable shared in Luke’s account of Jesus’ ministry.  The more one knocks and asks for a favour from their friend, the more so their friend would have no other option but to opt-in and grant their friend this favour.

What does consistency look like in our lives? Well firstly, it may be setting a list of “to-dos” and actually doing them. It may be setting a wish list and striving towards achieving it. It may even be starting a daily Bible reading plan and actually reading it each and every day. For others, it may be going to the gym, committing to regular workouts, walking up on time, and going to bed early – all in all, elements that are so vital to not only our physical well-being but even so our spiritual and mental state of mind.

Test your mind by putting a 21-day challenge to the test. Prove to yourself that saving finances is not as complicated as it seems by constantly settling your debts on time and putting some funds away in a jar, savings or an investment account. The trick is to keep on trying, admitting that you will get what you seek. By remembering the need, you too will remain inspired as to why you are pressing towards this particular goal in the first place, in turn remaining focused on the journey which lies ahead of you.

Action Items:

• Wish list: keeping track of all your desired goals shall certainly remain you of where you’re heading by looking at where you wish to go. Consider this not merely a list of fairy-tail items but a gradual “to-do list”. Have these wishes possibly sorted as a checklist according to priority – that way you can always tick them off one by one should these be attained in the long run?

• Diary/Progress Chart: Monitor your progress through a daily/weekly diary or journal – if not formulate a progress chart, this could be electronically through a mobile app or manually through a bit of drawing and scribbling. Depending on how creative you may be, a chart would help visualize the actual progress made thus far in attaining your goals whilst giving you the boost to continue pressing on with that final push.  By referring to your writing journal, you would best be able to track your growth over the weeks or months in a similar fashion.

• Alarm Clock: If there’s one way to stay committed, it’s being reminded that you have to get up and do it! An alarm clock will certainly keep you on your toes. Set a number of reminders that will help you achieve your vision and goals. Once done, actually commit to them. This will give you the zeal to keep going strong making sure every one of them is fully executed.

• Keep A Calendar: Block out time for everything! Yes, that includes doing laundry and finding time for relaxation. A calendar is certainly a good way to start working around how your month and year will unfold. Let this not merely be a clash of various activities but synchronize your plans, into a working recipe. This will best produce the energy needed to put aside the least important things and maximise some crucial elements, propelling one to accomplish each task in good time.

4. Collectivism (Philippians 2:1-2)

We probably do not all strive for teamwork as much as that of our favourite sports stars and the manager of a multi-national corporation. However, collectivism is a need we cannot survive without. People need people to make things happen – that’s what ubuntu is all about, a person being fully embraced and supported by the service of those around them and vice versa their support helping fulfil the needs of another.

We need to stand together if we want to succeed. This probably means opening up to and being acceptant of way more people than you did in the previous year. Through this, not only does “iron sharpen iron” by strengthening one’s capability but even so, one’s perspective is broadened by the knowledge and opinions of those around them.

When we consider all the things the ancient church in Philippi have learned along their faith walk and the instruction given by Paul The Apostle – we learn that instead of trying to out-shine or out-minister each other – Paul’s words are clear: to work together, embracing and loving one another with tender hearts. If I could package this anymore tremendously it would certainly be by quoting these words: “agree wholeheartedly” and “working together with one mind and purpose”. This is such a stern statement that probably any company, club, or organization would be pinned up on a notice board, if not printed on the back of a t-shirt simply because it emphasizes the need for unity.

Our unified efforts can help make the unimaginable possible! If by working together, NASA could put a man on the moon, and even so marvelously done, the Egyptians could build a series of pyramids which yet remain a mystery till this day – then you certainly can work hand-in-hand with another to achieve one’s mutual goals.

Action Items:

• Join a group (common interests):  Whilst we are definitely all extremely different as human beings – we are also oddly enough united through common interests. This is where work groups, support groups, or social groups come into play. Have a look at the goals mapped out and find a common interest group – if not find a few good people with shared motives and kick-start your own.

• Reconsider your mates: The toughest of all but the most rewarding at times. Some of our old habits need to go and this can only be done by relooking at the people we associate with. Substance abuse is a common factor hindering one from performing at their optimum best simply due to a lack of commitment caused by constantly numbing the nerves. Who encourages this activity? This is the question we may have to ask ourselves whether it is working tirelessly to the core of losing one’s mental stability or socially indulging in lifestyle activities that are in no way helping one in sticking to achieve their year-end goals. Bad company, corrupts good character. Pick your friends wisely.

• Block some/unblock a few: Not all people are the enemies of progress. It is probably a good time to unblock a few people you disregarded from the past and engage with them a little on what can be done to help boost your perspective in a certain field or area given the goals you have in mind.

• Brainstorm ideas together: Spending frequent time with those who have shared interests can certainly help you with brainstorming ideas as a collective. These ideas should grant you a broader perspective on how to go about things. As the saying goes, “there are different ways to milk a cow” if not skin a chicken – listen to what someone else has in mind, and maybe, just maybe this could be the beginning of a new business venture.

• Schedule hangouts: Catch-ups are a beautiful part of connecting with people. Whilst you should regularly be catching up with your social group, do not forget to catch up with other people dearest to your heart as well. Make time to hang out with long-time friends, family, and your significant other – regardless of how often you may be in communication. A scheduled hangout shows you care about the person enough to factor them into your plans. Whilst this may not needleless be the most productive of all your meet-ups – it certainly is most important to treasure the ones we love.

• Stokvel/Savings Club: Whilst some may opt for a betting pool, your best luck may be to work with a crowd-funding team or a savings club. Stokvels have been around for a long, these are small groups that save money together in order to help one another achieve their goal quicker in a sequential pattern. The aim here is to gain the motivation to save. If you can save as a collective, you would certainly not only gain the drive and commitment to save but you would also be held accountable for doing in and in turn, should see quicker results because of the collective efforts made.

Stokvels are invitation-only clubs of twelve or more people serving as rotating credit unions or saving schemes in South Africa where members contribute fixed sums of money to a central fund on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis.

– Wikipedia

5. Preparation (Luke 12:35-40; Matthew 24:42)

Our goals, objections, visions, dreams, wishes – these are all so beautiful yet they are nonetheless the same thing: hopeful desires we wish to attain and achieve. Let us not be blind-sighted by this, so much without understanding that the end goal cannot be acquired without investing ourselves thoroughly into the preparation that’s required.

Prep work is something that every event, every service, every retailer, and every workplace certainly needs to do. The same should be for our personal lives. We can work hard at getting what we want, but are we prepared for it? That’s the big question.

Jesus in the book of Luke shares a story of how a good servant may wait up all night for their master to return from a wedding banquet. They may otherwise probably leave the light on, or sleep with one eye open – just as the owner of a house would stay readily alert if they knew a criminal was set to approach their house during the course of the night. Whilst this text illustrates us preparing for Christ’s return and the end times, we should equally consider whether all our consistent efforts in prayer, training, going on dates, going to meetings, and getting up early – has us thoroughly prepared for the goal and target we had in mind.

See, wishing for a car is no good when you have no driver’s license and probably are unable to pay for the insurance. Equally so, wishing for a house is no good if you probably do not know what kind of dwelling you are looking for and the number of occupants it should cater for. In hindsight the scripture that states “count the cost” – teaches us to mentally prepare ourselves for elevator pitches, job interviews, gigs, and of course, standing on the pulpit. Who knows what would be expected of you? If we certainly are confident, zealous, well-trained, and have a good support group by our side – we should be ready to take on the next hurdle or opportunity life throws at us. Just like you cannot be a servant of Christ if you have not counted the cost of following him, let it be known that we probably cannot acquire the countless things for which we strive – should we not know how to handle this responsibly when we finally get the chance in life.

Action Items:

• Continue to do research: Not everyone is born a gifted professional. We need to read more and explore more if we want to be certain about the next steps to take in life. Being incompetent is a challenge many people face today and whilst others may be gaining adequate knowledge in this world to succeed – the change in trends and financial markets however yet make it difficult to commit to the right decisions.

• Self-learning: Take some time out to study and up your skills. Preparation comes with work. If you’re expecting a promotion or a high-end job, probably means you need to invest a bit more in yourself. How can you be the gem corporations are looking for? This is not simply a means of achieving your career goals but even so a possibility of learning something completely abstracted like weather patterns, tourist attractions, history and art, and potentially even more about your own personal health. Learn how to take care of yourself and others, that way you can maintain your family and treat your loved ones.

• Budgeting: What’s a plan without a budget? Yes, if you want to see your ideas flourish you need to plan financially.

• Business plan: Creating a business plan will most certainly be a stepping stone for your vision of creating a start-up. Instead of waiting for things to all fall together, strategize on building a solid plan that will help you drive your business goals forward.

• Savings and Investments: We can’t expect money to just duplicate itself. If we could all get a money printer – that would certainly be a delight. This is where savings and investments become of great priority. Even with the little you have, consider adding this to a savings pool to enjoy that holiday you dream of. Whilst it’s undoubtedly that large investment companies may be tough ones to put your hope in, mobile-friendly investment tools like EasyEqualities and cryptocurrency wallets like Luno have helped make investing money a breeze for everyday individuals.

• Licenses and Certifications: Becoming a skilled professional requires knowledge of the field you will be embarking upon. This is where certifications become a need that you may likely want to obtain in anticipation of that dream job or endeavor. Licenses help ensure that your business is compliant with industry standards – for many this could include becoming a member of a professional body (such as the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) for communications and public relations officials, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) for accountants or financial practitioners and the South African Nursing Council (SANC) for nurses. This ensures that you’re equally informed, educated, and developed to cater to the needs of our society.

• Vows/Non-Negotiables/Commitments: It’s time to value your relationships! Whilst we appreciate some and we tolerate others – vows are one beautiful way we learn that couples devote themselves to one another. What promises do you need to make? Making a promise prepares you for the day when challenges arise. Be prepared for the unexpected. What non-negotiables are you setting for your life? Is it going to church every week? Praying every morning? Texting a stranger or catching up with a longtime friend, once a month? These are things we should factor into our plans. A list of non-negotiables not only prepares you for what you’re doing on your next “free day” – it also prepares you for what happens with the people you network with, from close friends to strangers. What commitments have you set up that simply cannot be denied? This will prepare you for those awkward situations where temptation lurks. Commit your time to study, reading a book, or getting some “me” time.

• Will/Health/Funeral Plan: Preparing a will, signing up for healthcare cover or a funeral plan may sound tragic and worrisome – however it is not. This is what being prepared is truly about, ensuring that you have all your ducks in a row the day trouble comes.

• Rehearse/Practice: Lastly, don’t forget to rehearse/practice. This could be your music skills or talents. You’ll only be as good as the time you take to invest in your abilities!

In conclusion

I believe the year 2023 is the year of FAITHFULNESS and FRUITFULNESS. These passages of scripture give leeway to understand that fertilizing crops shall eventually bear their harvest. The year of harvesting all that we believed for is finally here and whilst confusion and devastation are a normal part of life – God’s promises are supernatural in overcoming even the tiniest of risks that stand in the way of our victory.

Go and change the game!

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