With the start of a new year well under way, the regular conversation with many is one of goal setting. Some eagerly anticipate this, others dread it.

***2016***

Often, it is easy to provide some generic, non-committal response about fitness, debt, work/home balance and more. While hoping for significant change, all things being equal, things often remain the same.

Nothing changes!

In a 2007 article on his book “Change Or Die!” Alan Deutschman outlines that:

• 80% of the health care budget is expended on non-genetic and non-environmental issues that would implicate the health of a person. This massive spend focuses on 5 key areas that are “behavioural” – meaning we can do something about it – too much smoking, drinking, eating, stress and not enough exercise.
• 90% of heart disease patients who have undergone a serious intervention like bypass surgery and angioplasty have NOT CHANGED their lifestyles after 2 years post intervention.

So he makes his case – “Change or Die!”.

Before placing judgment on the individuals who contribute to these statistics, let’s remember Jesus’ words in Matt 7:1-5 MSG.

““Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbour’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbour.”

As we read the statistics from Deutschman, I wonder if we (if I) would be any different than the community of 90%? After 2 years of experiencing a heart intervention would we be any different in how we eat, drink, smoke, and handle stress and fitness?

Honest Confession…

…It sure makes me think as I carry extra weight and struggle with cultivating the habit of daily fitness. And it gets better!  I have a family history where my genetic predisposition is one of heart disease and diabetes! So what’s getting in my way? Over the years I have taken steps to address these areas and, thankfully, have made progress. And yet I remain challenged.

In other areas of my life there has been exciting growth and change over time. This reality gives me hope!

1. What is getting in the way of Mavericks like you and me changing and growing?
2. What is keeping us from becoming all that our Creator has designed us to be?

These questions are humbling as I grapple with my own struggle to change where needed.

For some they may see the block as…

• A lack of resources
• Pressures that are legitimately out of our control
• Generic goals created that are neither measurable nor attainable

While these are important considerations, I believe that something even greater is at play…

…the “Why” of the change desired.

In areas where I have enjoyed the fruit of change, I have a very clear “Why”. Where I lose sight of the “why”, I lose sight of the goal and end up living out Einstein’s quote about insanity.

“Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

In Psalm 29:18 we are reminded again about what happens when our “why” is diminished.

“If people can’t see what God is doing,They stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,They are most blessed.” MSG

“Where there is no revelation,^[a] the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.” NKJV

The scriptures are clear that when we lose sight of the vision, the “Why”, we stumble all over ourselves and cast off restraint. We eat too much, are too stressed, smoke and drink too much, and are not diligent in the fitness of the bodies God has given us.

A clear “why”, deeply and intimately tied to your identity in Christ, will fuel the setting of goals and the hard work of making them happen day in and day out.

When we tie our goals for home, relationships, self, and work to what’s most important– the “Why”–, we are far more likely to enjoy change.

So, with some trepidation, I invite you to ask me about my overall fitness goals. Ask me about the “why” for my goals.

How clear is the “Why” for your goals in 2016?

A Maverick Application:

1. Identify 1 to 3 key areas of your life that must be addressed. These are areas that have a “change or die” weight to them. It could be a relationship, debt, a physical challenge, etc.
2. Reflect and write out the very real implications of staying the same. If nothing changed, what would be the impact on self, family, community, and business? Would you be satisfied with that? Why or why not?
3. Reflect and write out the very real implications of changing. Imagine what the impact would be on you, family, community, and business?
4. Describe what those people most important to you would be saying, hearing and feeling as you change? How would the gift of your change impact them?
5. Summarize your reflection into one very clear, compelling statement of the “why” for the goal you are going to set.