New Year New Adventure by Tania Vaughan

It's the first work day of a brand new year, 12 months of possibilities spread out in front of us. We can choose to plod into the new year dragging the worries and work of last year with us or jump into a brand new adventure. <<< Tweet This

A new adventure doesn't have to mean doing all new things but it does require a whole new attitude. I will be continuing much of what I was doing last year, working on a book, continuing a ministry and studying theology but as I step into this new year I am doing it with a new plan.

We are 'more than writer's which means we often juggle many different jobs and roles which can tug and pull at our time. My jobs are all equally important, although deadlines differ so prioritising can be hard.

I've always been organised but in a controlling kind of way. Although it makes me task driven it can also be a bit unhealthy. Any control freaks out there know what I'm talking about?

Last year my 'One Word' was 'Release'. I can look back and see I released my need to control which is great, but (there's always a but!) I have found less control has meant less production, as I wrote about last month. My battle now is working out how can I write, organise, plan and produce without getting all task orientated and control freakish over it?

There is a way of being task orientated without it becoming a control issue and this has driven my One Word for 2016 'Intentional'. This year I want to be intentional about what I write and when I write. I am intentionally setting aside certain days of the week to write, to study and to concentrate on some of the other jobs I'm juggling. I'm setting aside days in the month for rest, prayer and planning. These are the things that end up getting pushed aside until exhaustion hits mid year.

I already work like this with meal planning and chores and am enlarging the same idea to incorporate everything I do. I recently split my website and ministry in two and set up a business to help individuals with tech and design. All of a sudden I was managing three websites and Facebook profiles before I even start to write anything or study!

I'm hoping that allocating my time intentionally will keep everything running smoothly without giving me the meltdown that comes with the need to control. I'll keep you updated on whether or not it works. In the meantime I got lots of wonderful stationary for Christmas which will help me as I step into this new adventure.

What's your adventure for 2016? Do you have One Word for this new year?

Tania Vaughan is a speaker and writer who started Let's Talk About Ministries at www.liveloveshare.com after writing her book "Let's Talk About Sex and Relationships - A Bible study for single women".

Through Bible teaching and devotionals Tania seeks to encourage every woman to claim the full life that Jesus came to give them.  www.taniavaughan.com

A new venture uses her design and admin skills to help and support individuals with websites, social media, on-line presence and marketing design www.hartandesign.com