Backwards & Forward List

As the new year is right ahead we normally start to think of all the things that are ahead and all the things that we want to accomplish in the new year.

Too often I think we are so eager at “new” that we forget to remember the trail that got us here. Here’s what I propose in light of “new year’s resolution”: a backwards and forward list.

Let’s start with your backwards list, a look back on the year at all the things that God has done through you and for you. Both the big milestones of the year, but also the smaller things that have come along or that God has brought you through.

And then the forward list, a list of the things you are praying for God to do through you and for you. This could be some of your typical resolutions but also things that you want to step out and trust God with.

How about it? What’s your backwards & forward list?

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This entry was posted on Friday, December 31st, 2010 at 4:31 pm and is filed under growth . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Anonymous

    ok, I’ll go first:

    Backwards:

    - A year ago, we were living in a 900 sq. ft condo, my wife, my teenage son, our 1 year old son, me and holy cow’s office. I am in awe of how much God used those tight quarters to do so much. And praise God for the final sale of that home in January to a great home with room for everyone…

    - including my office. In the beginning for 2010 I rented some space for our office, but realized, after buying our home and commuting back and forth, that I really didn’t need or want an outside office. Thank you God for the great space you helped us create here at home.

    - when I was at the corporate agency, one of our big goals was to land a college as an account. We never saw it happened. But in 2010 I was blessed to take part in the launch and brand development of Central Bible College – Grand Rapids.

    - One of my big goals for Holy Cow Creative is to not be viewed as vendor but as an extension of the ministry team. A benchmark, a goal, was to prove that by being invited to the company Christmas party. In December my wife and I flew to Atlanta to celebrate with the team at Victory World Church. We truly feel like a part of that team.

    - Grateful that God reminded me that being the church doesn’t just happen on Sunday’s and not always in something called a church. This year we were able to work with Water Missions International to develop Gift of Water’s branding campaign.

    Forward:

    - Launch onsite training and strategy workshops

    - Launch a coaching program for both pastors and creatives

    - Focus on two areas: The How of Church + The Art of Preaching

    - Launch an online store with fun things for the creative at heart

    - Prepare myself and my son for him to head off to college this summer

    - Potty training Parker (yep, I have one heading to college and another in diapers)

    - And yes, losing 30 pounds

    Ok…now your turn.

  • Anonymous

    ok, I’ll go first:

    Backwards:

    - A year ago, we were living in a 900 sq. ft condo, my wife, my teenage son, our 1 year old son, me and holy cow’s office. I am in awe of how much God used those tight quarters to do so much. And praise God for the final sale of that home in January to a great home with room for everyone…

    - including my office. In the beginning for 2010 I rented some space for our office, but realized, after buying our home and commuting back and forth, that I really didn’t need or want an outside office. Thank you God for the great space you helped us create here at home.

    - when I was at the corporate agency, one of our big goals was to land a college as an account. We never saw it happened. But in 2010 I was blessed to take part in the launch and brand development of Central Bible College – Grand Rapids.

    - One of my big goals for Holy Cow Creative is to not be viewed as vendor but as an extension of the ministry team. A benchmark, a goal, was to prove that by being invited to the company Christmas party. In December my wife and I were invited by Pam Parish to attend their Christmas Party at Victory World Church. We truly feel like a part of that team.

    - Grateful that God reminded me that being the church doesn’t just happen in something labled a church. This year we were able to work with Water Missions International to speak into their efforts and develop Gift of Water‘s branding campaign.

    Forward:

    - Launch onsite training and strategy workshops

    - Launch a coaching program for both pastors and creatives

    - Launch an online store with fun things for the creative at heart

    - Prepare myself and my son for him to head off to college this summer

    - Potty training Parker (yep, I have one heading to college and another in diapers)

    - And yes, losing 30 pounds

    ok…your turn.

  • http://www.cautiouscreative.com katie

    love this idea, Michael.

    i think two blog posts i wrote recently sum up my backwards list quite well:
    http://cautiouscreative.com/2010/12/30/the-insignificant-moments/ and http://cautiouscreative.com/2010/12/27/for-fun-a-year-in-150-words/

    (I’ll save space & not copy and paste the entire posts here:))

    Forward:
    - get the freelance idea i’ve had bouncing around in my head up and running

    - experience, engage, and invest in the global Church (i don’t know exactly what that looks like yet but it’s on my heart!)

    - get back into a routine to simply feel better again (moving threw it off & i haven’t gotten it back yet)

    - be more intentional about investing in the lives of my friends in my community

    - set aside time to dream big for myself – i spend a lot of time dreaming for others and love helping other people make their dreams a reality but fear doing it for myself. it’s time to get over that :)