Looking in 2020, it’s imperative for families to sit down and take stock of 2019, in order to plan for the coming year.
I suggest that families do this on five levels. However, remember that your goals should follow the acronym “SMART.” (S stands for specific; M for measurable; A for achievable; R for realistic and T for timely or time-bound).
Level 1: Your family’s spiritual plan. Note that the year 2020 is a unique one. It’s not only a leap year but is also a year of double figures, which in my opinion suggests that there will be intense spiritual transactions throughout the year. Therefore, your family’s spiritual plan should include among other things:
• Raising a viable family altar. In order for this to be SMART, I mean daily and consistent family prayers every morning for at least 30 minutes. If this were done, the family would have been able to pray for at least 182 hours throughout the year.
• Reading the Bible as a family in 2020.
• Memorising Biblical passages/scriptures. You can plan to have weekly or monthly scriptures that the whole family will memorise and internalise.
I would suggest that you go online and find apps that’ll help you achieve these goals.
Level 2: Financial Goals.
This goal should be anchored on increasing family finances in 2020. There are a couple of ways to get this done, but the primary place to start is:
• Saving. Plan to open a family/joint savings account, where a percentage of all family incomes are warehoused for investments, capital projects, school fees, house rent, etc.
• Plan to run a monthly family budget. This has been treated in my previous publications.
• Multiple streams of income. Side-hustling or doing another business at your spare time is common all over the world. If you rely on only one source of income today, you will end up frustrated. There are several references online that can help you get it done.
• Teach your children financial responsibility. If you have teenage children, the year 2020 is the best time to teach them how to handle and be accountable for the money.
Level 3: Family Social Plans.
• Plan to have a family vacation in 2020. It’s not just enough to visit places during Christmas festivities. In 2020, plan to travel as a family outside the country, if you can afford to. You don’t have to go to Europe. you can visit Ghana, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Saotome, and Principe, all of which are close to us. There are also a couple of places in Nigeria that you can visit like Obudu Ranch, etc.
Level 4: Self-development Goals
• Plan to acquire skills for your children outside their individual educational pursuits. Enroll them for classes in fashion design, computer engineering services, and music, among others.
Level 5: Physical/Health Goals
In the year 2020, it’s imperative to improve your family health through:
• Regular and consistent exercise.
• Eating healthy – Cutting off junk food
• Registering your children in one or more sporting or extracurricular activities in school. This not only helps them physically but also helps them become mentally strong.
Remember, it is your plan and it is not a do-or-die affair.
Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2020 ahead!
Enquiries: Elshaddai Covenant Church, 7, Social Club Road, Off Charity Road, Abule-Egba. Tel: 08080929292 (Calls only); 08182281184 (WhatsApp messages only).
