Taking Inventory

Praise JESUS CHRIST!

Greetings family!  I trust you're having a blessed week in the LORD!  Thank you for continuing to read this blog, and for making your friends and family aware of it as well!  Please keep in mind that as you subscribe to this blog, you will be updated regularly as new topic's are posted.  Be sure also to participate in the weekly polls.  I REALLY appreciate your consistency in perusing these articles, and  look forward to sharing more God-Given Wisdom and ideals that will encourage you along the path of your Christian walk, ensuring that you always 'Finish What You Start!'

Today, I would like to discuss the aspect of Taking Inventory as you progress along the journey of accomplishing your goals. Taking inventory basically means that we see where we are, and how we are doing in our efforts to better our lives. By taking inventory, we are able to note how far we've come, how far we have to go, and if there are any necessary changes or modifications that must be made toward the completion of our aspirations.  Without knowing if our plan of action is working, we will not be able to complete any task.

Of course, this notion of Taking Inventory is nothing new.  Successful businesses do this all the time.  When someone wishes to purchase something from a particular establishment, that business must ensure they have the product 'in stock'.  If not, they must be quick to order it, or the potential life-long customer might go elsewhere.  We also take inventory in our personal lives.  For instance, we see if we have stocked up on toiletries and other household supplies necessary for daily living.  What a shame it would be to do 'our business' and realize we've forgotten to purchase toilet paper (I apologize for giving you this visual) during our last trip to the market.  So it is with the accomplishing of our goals.  We must understand what works, and what doesn't work.  We must take the time to effectively measure our progress.  If something is not working, we need to find out the reasoning behind this and modify our means of accomplishing the task at hand.  The key is to keep doing what works, and quit doing what is not producing our desired result!

Now let's talk about how to take an inventory of your progress.  Let's use the example of attempting to lose weight.  Now, you have set a goal to lose 40 pounds in six months.  You have established that losing approximately 2lbs per week would get you to your goal.  You've decided to cut out the sweets, while eating healthier lower-fat meals.  You've been on your weight-loss regimen for a month and you step onto the scale to see how far you've come.  You've lost a total of 2lbs while you were projected to lose around 8.  What do you do?  Do you become discouraged and quit your goal?  Of course not!  You have made some progress.  After all, you're thinner than you were when your diet began, so something is working.  It may just be that instead of solely eating healthier, you may need to add an exercise program to achieve maximum results.  Once you've modified your plan, periodically check your progress.  If another month passes and you've lost a total of 10lbs or so, you have made the correct modification and are close to achieving your goal.  If after the modification, you're still not progressing as you expected then it may be the time to rethink your strategy (i.e. - getting nutritional assistance from an expert), but by all means DO NOT give up!  With the Help and Wisdom of GOD, there IS a way to accomplish your goal!

Another important reason for taking inventory is in order that you remain inspired and optimistic while attempting to accomplish something noteworthy in your life.  More often than not, when we're in the process of accomplishing a goal, there will arise days of disappointment and discouragement.  We may begin to feel as if we are 'spinning our wheels' instead of making steady progress toward the attainment of our dreams.  Monitoring our progress in increments will enable us to see the positive results of our hard work.  Remember the above weight-loss example displays some progress being made toward a goal, even if it wasn't what the achiever originally expected.  After careful modification, though, we see that this person is well on their way to accomplishing their goals. 

So where are you in your goal attaining process?  I trust, with the dawn of each new day, you are closer to your dreams than you were when you began the journey.  Remember, always have a plan in place to track your progress.  Never become discouraged, if you don't see quick results.  Realize, that Jesus will mix His Faith with yours, and enable you to continue to 'Fight the Good Fight'!  You are an over comer, and you will accomplish anything and everything in which you've placed your mind and focus.  I would love to hear your progress along the way.  Be sure to email me @ macmoses1973@msn.com to let me know your progress, or simply leave a comment.  Thanks again for joining us today!  Now let me leave you with this reminder, You 'CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH YOU (Philippians 4:13)'!  Be Blessed!

(c) 2011 Writings With The Finger of God

Next:  Begin Again!