Our staff is talking about Christmas Eve Mass, and it’s a reminder that the calendar year is winding down. In the past, I would see this as the home stretch. A mantra that would chime through my head was, “Keep going until the break.” And then, during the week between Christmas and New Year, I would take time to reflect and think about the year ahead. But, with all things considering, now is the right time to start thinking about next year.
The idea of planning 2021 might seem daunting when there is so much uncertainty around us. At the same time, there is a lot that we’ve learned in the last few months, and it is time to start putting those learnings into practice. To get ahead of 2021, it’s important to:
Check-in On Your Current Status
How are you doing? I know the answer will come with that underlying precursor considering all things, but it’s crucial to be real with how you feel, evaluate what is working, and what you currently need. When it comes to:
- How are you feeling? You need to look at your mind, body, and soul. If you are tired or frustrated, it’s essential to focus on your planning about finding rest.
- What is working, you need to celebrate it and take note of why. Tracking what is working will help you determine whether to duplicate in the months ahead.
- Assessing your needs, it’s essential to look at your expenses and check-in with your team. If you have to make adjustments by reallocating resources or reassigning roles, this is a good time to take those steps.
- By taking a moment to check-in on your current status, you will avoid any pitfalls or mistakes that might pop up due to poor preparation. For example, you wouldn’t plan an event without knowing how much you can spend. You shouldn’t say yes to a commitment if you are already short on time.
Spend Time In Prayer And Reflection
You can only get so far on an empty tank. It doesn’t matter if your spiritual life is thriving or struggling; every leader needs to commit to regular prayer and reflection time. When you give yourself time to listen and talk with God, He gives you the grace you need to get the job done. Through prayer, rest, and reflection, our capacity to do more increases because we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us.
If you don’t know where to start building a prayer regimen, consider a discipline like the Liturgy of the Hours. No matter the habit, take a few minutes after prayer, writing out your thoughts. Process what is stirring or flowing through your mind. Hand it to God so that you can begin each day with a clean slate.
And if you can before the end of the year, sign up for a retreat. When you go on a retreat, you take constructive time to work at your prayer life and allow the Spirit to fill you. If that is not possible, then take one full day away. Spend that time going on a hike, meeting up with a friend who can pray with you, and do your best to disconnect from the world.
Write Out Goals For The First 90 Days
We tend in the church world to either plan a whole year ahead or figure it out minute by minute. I would suggest finding a happy medium. To get this done, think about where you would like to be at the end of March and write it out in a little vision statement or paragraph. Share it with your team or people you trust and ask them, “Does this seem realistic?”
Allow the people you trust to give you insight and suggestions to develop your goals. Invite them to join you in making them happen and start mobilizing your movement. If you need additional assistance, sign up for a coaching cohort through MYM U (Register HERE). You’ll be a part of a small community of like-minded leaders looking to help you grow your ministry.
It’s not too early to start thinking about the year ahead. Get a jump start so that you can hit the new year with the momentum you need to spread the Gospel and bring others closer to Christ.