A January That Changed My Life, Will January 2020 Change Your Life?

The beginning of the new year is always emotional for me.  I tear up thinking about how one goal to give a gift every day for a year changed my life. That goal was set on January 1, 2011 and I haven't looked back.

If you don't know my story, I gave a gift for 522 consecutive days, missed a day on a business trip, took a break, but intentional giving had become a lifestyle so I started my daily giving again and I've pretty much given a gift every day since 2013. If you are interested in the 522 gifts, check out the list here.

I honestly can't tell you why I tracked in the first place, or why I started a little blog. The only thing I can think is that God gave me a nudge, and instead of ignoring doing something that was uncomfortable, I jumped in, even though fearful, and didn't look back. At the time, I hated writing and had no clue what I was doing.

There is something you may not know about that original year of giving. I almost quit. I almost shut the whole thing down. Why? A couple of negative people that attacked me through FB.

What if I would have quit?

What if I would have let a couple of negative Nancy's kill all the good and positivity other and I were spreading?

My life would be extremely different. 

First, I believe it was giving that pulled me out of many depressing days. There wouldn't be a book, The Giving Challenge, or inspirational speaking, or a second book, The Gratitude Challenge. But more importantly, thousands of people would not have received gifts. Days wouldn't have been brightened. Children wouldn't have been fed. Did you know every book I sell provides three meals to a child in need? To date, we've given close to 30,000 meals (that's with the help of a corporate match).

None of this goodness is from me. Sure, I'm the vessel, but I'm just doing what God called me to do.

It saddens me to think how many people have set a goal for the new year, and within a couple of months, someone will squash that goal. I think about all the books that were supposed to be written, to inspire someone, that are buried in a notebook in a closet. Or what about the weight someone wanted to lose so they could take better care of their children or grandchildren, but they gave up on themselves and now they are watching life on the sidelines instead of actively engaged. 

I don't know your goal for the new year, maybe you have one and maybe you don't. But I challenge you to think about what's been bugging you. What is something in your life that you can't shake? What is the little desire burning in you, but you've already given up because maybe people will think your goal is stupid, or right now you don't see a path forward to accomplish the goal?

Well friend, follow that nudge. I don't think God puts empty, unfulfilling dreams in our heart. At the end of the day, where we end up may not be what we had in mind, and may even be better? I know my goal for giving ended up way more incredible than I could have ever imagined. I’d dreamed small.

What's the one thing that is weighing you down? What's the one goal that you don't want to start another new year thinking about? Share it with me.  Let's hold each other accountable.

In my last post I talked about reflecting on 2019. If you haven't done that, take some time this week to do so, as it will help gain clarity for 2020 and help you steer around obstacles. This is also an exercise you can do with your team at work.

Friends, let my 2011 goal of giving a gift every day for a year be an inspiration to you. To motivate you to see what happens when we set a goal and stick with it. It's your choice of what you do now, choose wisely.

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”