Year End Reset – The AAA Plan

By Michael Griego on December 27, 2024 • ( 1 )

We’re now in that quiet period. The new year looms and we sit quietly between Christmas and New Year’s Day. It’s a wonderful time and a tremendous opportunity to prepare for an even greater year. ◊

It’s that wonderful time of the year when we’re all given an opportunity to take a breath of fresh air and reset.

If you’re fortunate, you’ve had a busy but blessed Christmas with family and friends. But now it’s like the lull before the storm. The new year looms ahead of us as we sit quietly, and hopefully peaceably, between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

It’s a tremendous opportunity to prepare for a great new year. Here are some thoughts and a plan.

Assess, Adjust, Advance
Think of applying a simple annual review process I call the AAA Plan. No, this has nothing to do with auto roadside services, insurance, or anything other than a practical and effective way to review and launch into a new year. In fact, the process is what any good business leader or sports head coach does before, during, and after any business cycle or competitive contest.

Assess – consider what just transpired according to plan, or was off plan
Adjust – determine appropriate adjustments needed to improve outcomes
Advance – execute on the new plan going forward (until opportunity to Assess)

This is a recurring process that will produce small or large incremental improvements that can become game-changers. I would maintain that many of us do this kind of intuitive self-analysis in our head all the time.

But most of us do it just in our heads, or on the fly. That is, it’s not a formal process or a deep and thoughtful process. It’s one that is done superficially at best.

There is a more deliberate way to do this, and not take up too much time. I might suggest carving out 30 to 60 minutes and writing things down on paper or electronically. You can use the Wheel of Worldly Success (see past Biblical Viewpoint post A Different New Year Plan) to consider past year’s performance in 8 key areas of practical living: Family, Friends, Home, Money, Work, Health, Spiritual, and Leisure.

As pointed out in that past post, the Spiritual dimension can be expanded into its own Wheel of Spiritual Success. Consider the 8 key elements on spiritual living: God, Jesus, Bible, Fellowship, Giving, Service, Prayer, and Holy Spirit.

The AAA Plan for the Christian Life
Now with a base rating on any element of the Wheel of Spiritual Success, one can go deeper with a richer action plan using the AAA Plan.

Assess – How do you assess this past year in a spiritual sense? Did you develop a deeper understanding and relationship with God? With Jesus? Do you know Him and understand His deity? How about your knowledge of the Bible? Do you understand the full context of the entire flow of the Old and New Testament? Did you develop relationships that have an impact? Did you tithe or give generously to others in need? How deep and consistent is your prayer life? Do you understand the Holy Spirit? Does your prayer-life lead to a Holy Spirit-led life?
Adjust – Given your answers to your own personal spiritual assessment, what adjustments need to be made? Be careful here. Think practically about what needs to be done in the next year. Take it in small doses. Perhaps it means starting with a Bible Study in the new year. Or taking on a more challenging Bible Study. On your own is fine, or with a friend, or in a group with a skilled leader or facilitator. Maybe it means reading the Bible and allowing time for reading/studying deeper commentary to broaden your understanding. Perhaps the adjustment is in praying privately but audibly in designated blocks of time, not just in your head while going through your day. Maybe the adjustment in prayer is asking God/Jesus/Holy Spirit to lead and specifically direct your life rather than simply petitioning or pleading for what you want in life.
Advance – Now go forth with a specific new plan and resolve. Be ambitious but not so much that you burn out by February. Your deliberate and practical improvement steps will start to bear encouraging fruit. March on, like an advancing army or team moving the ball downfield with an action plan or series of plays that have been thoughtfully prepared. Setbacks and distractions will happen. Anticipate them and do not let them derail you. Share your plan with a loved one and ask for prayer support and encouragement.

The AAA Plan is not rocket science, but it does take some attention to detail. But details in our walk with God and our obedience to what He wants for us specifically make all the difference in the world. Our world, uniquely crafted and intended to be good and blessed because we’re uniquely loved and intended for a purpose.

If we’re paying attention. The AAA Plan keeps us grounded and focused on the areas that need attention. It’s an exciting way to live.

Have a Happy New Year’s and a Better New Year!
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The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9