Inviting God into our New Year reset

Business consultant, Peter Drucker famously once said, ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast.’  In other words, even our best intentions will fail to establish themselves in ongoing reality if our pervading lifestyle mitigates against them. Our personal culture can be so cemented into our daily lives that making changes to what we do and how we do it is more complex than making one well-meant decision.

READ MORE: A spiritual new year

As we head into 2026, we’re probably planning to set ourselves new goals. 

As we head into 2026, we’re probably planning to set ourselves new goals.  It’s a cliché based in fact that gym memberships begun January often fall by the wayside before February, so how can we launch into a new year with intentionality while avoiding unrealistic expectations? Can we select objectives that aren’t going to either trip us up or tip us into self-flagellation and failure?  Choosing specific areas of focus rather than generalities allows us to set achievable, measurable goals rather than abstract wishes.

READ MORE: Four Japanese New Year traditions and what we can reflect on in our Christian faith

Here are some ways to get on track which I’ve found useful.

1. Decide how you are going to intentionally connect with God daily.  I’m better at adhering to consistent times, so I stick to the morning with various degrees of success depending on the quality of sleep I’ve had.  Selecting a devotional or a Bible-reading scheme can provide a helpful supportive structure.

2. Before we get too ahead of ourselves, reviewing 2025 gives space to focus on the positives.  It also allows us to create possible strategies for turning around negatives in this new year.

3. Reviewing our priorities. I am task-oriented so have to remind my self that people are more important than even my best lists. I need to schedule time with them.  I need quality time with God even more. He is my source. I need to be blessed before I can be a blessing to others (see Genesis 12:1–3).  By writing these down, I’m not reducing people to a list but reflecting those priorities in a form that prompts me to follow through.

4. Reviewing boundaries. It’s easy to drift into spaces relationally or work-wise that are outside our sphere of responsibility or even competence. People-pleasing is real. Serving is biblical but being everyone’s doormat or emotional punchbag is not.

5. Maintaining a ‘rest’ day. One day in seven was part of the creation mandate for a reason; it’s another boundary that can dissolve into draining activities that rob us of peace.

6. Plan ahead for holidays/breaks if you can. Take advantage of the post-Christmas offers if you can. Making sure breaks happen in some shape or form according to temperament/wiring/family and financial circumstances means we have something to look forward to which contributes to healthy rhythms.

7. Avoid those shiny gym membership if you know you’ll regret them by February (see above). It’s entirely possible to improve fitness without spending a shedload of money. I enjoy walking and love that it’s completely free.

8. Purge your fridge and larder of things that are out of date. Great theory, but one in which I don’t excel. However, a tidy cupboard helps me curate a tidy mind. Restocking where I can with food that energises me rather than makes me feel lethargic contributes to that fitness goal.

9. Decluttering my cupboards, desk and email inbox achieves a similar goal.

10. Decluttering my head is more challenging. Conquering paperwork has helped me considerably. (I do love an organised file; 3D or virtual.) Journalling allows me to capture thoughts that can otherwise buzz unhelpfully round my head; it may help you too. Daily fresh air also helps.
11. Joining a library/book club and relinquishing my screen, particularly in that hour before sleep has helped me unwind.
12. Gathering those toiletries gifted from the past x years to use rather than hoard for ‘one day’ provides a welcome treat amidst the mundane.

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Whether you choose any, all, or none of these, let’s avoid setting ourselves up to fail by ensuring we’re realistic for our situation. Proverbs 29:8 says, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (KJV). In other words, without direction, chaos isn’t far behind. Having goals can motivate us positively and keep us engaged mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually for whatever lies ahead.