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It’s always refreshing to enter a new year. The start of a new year is a significant moment in anyone’s life. Everyone would agree that the new year is always a time to reflect on your past and plan ahead for the future. When you talk about the new year, what comes to mind is a fresh start — a new beginning.
So, we start the new year with enthusiasm, only to slip back to our old model of doing things that eventually thwart our efforts. For you to avoid this fate and make this year your best year yet, here are 5 ways to make more progress in 2023.
I’ll also be keeping tabs on these 5 things, as they are indeed crucial for my overall well-being. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it.
INVEST IN GOD
Don’t sleep on this first point because it is the most important of them all. I don’t know if you believe in God or not, but as for me, I do; and I do know that people who have invested in God never regretted their decision.
If you are serious about making progress this year, then invest in God. But what do I actually mean when I say you should invest in God?
“Honour the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce” ~ Proverbs 3:9
Anything that concerns God should be your priority. Give yourself to the work of God. Your talent and your wealth should be used to honor God.
You should seek to give to the needy ones when the opportunity arises. Use your gifts for God’s work when you’re being called upon. Challenge yourself to give cheerfully to the church treasury whenever the time arises and I promise you, by the end of this year, you’ll have testimonies to share.
Every single person I know who cheerfully and willingly invested in God is living happily and buoyantly.
In the Bible, there are several people who knew this principle of investment and applied it, only for them to be surprised by the blessings of God.
In 2 Kings 4:18-17, the bible made mention of a Shunammite woman who always persuades prophet Elisha to dine in her house whenever Elisha travels by that route.
She noticed Elisha was a holy man of God, so she convinced her husband to make a room for him(Elisha) so that whenever he’s passing by, he can easily take a rest and refresh himself before embarking on his journey.
This singular made her deliver a son; something that she wanted for years, but she couldn’t have because she was barren.
You don’t need millions of naira before you can invest in God. A simple act of kindness is enough to open the floodgates of heaven.
But make sure that you always take the initiative to do the best that you can for God. it is never a waste; it is an investment and you will surely reap the rewards.
CUT-OFF BAD HABITS/RELATIONSHIPS
You can’t achieve your goals in life if you have bad habits. So write all your goals down if you want, your bad habits will mess it all up.
Bad habits were the reason I wasn't progressing in several aspects of my life and it will be the reason why you can’t move forward.
The only way out is to eliminate it completely. So, you must identify every habit in your life that is not serving you and do well to stop it.
The same goes for unhealthy and toxic relationships. I guess you know this as well. Evil communication, they say, corrupts good manners.
GROW AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
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You are where you are because of the people you know. It’s high time you start linking up with people that will lighten your world. Make friends with people that have qualities you admire. People that challenge you to be the best version of yourself. They make you happy and they want to see you fly.
Draw kings closer to you by using your gifts and talent to attract them. Be proficient and good at what you do. Show integrity in everything you do and you’ll attract the people that will take you to the next level.
On the other hand, get away from people that hate to see you win.
EMBRACE LEARNING AND TRAINING
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If you must climb the ladder and make progress, you must embrace training and seek to learn new skills. Don’t settle for less. Be up to date with the current trend in your area of expertise. Always invest in learning through the reading of books, webinars, listening to podcasts, practicing, and lots more.
You sharpen your mind when you embrace learning and training.
PRAY
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“Except the lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” ~ Psalm 127:1
You are a mere mortal that sees and knows about the physical, but God sees the spiritual matters. If you must make significant progress this year, then you must commit yourself to prayers: for by strength shall no man prevail.
I strongly believe that if you do follow these five things, you’ll indeed share testimonies of how great things have gone in your life. You and I are meant to prosper in all things and I believe we will if we inculcate these 5 things in our lives.