23 'Don'ts' of 2023

 Hi, guys. How do you do? 

Is it just me or this year is kinda fast? So I woke up to something that got me thinking a lot on Thursday. And then, I decided to add it to this post I was already cooking. 

So on Thursday, my pastor posted this in our church's group chat. I did the math and it's true. For those of you that have forgotten simple math, to confirm this, just divide 19 by 365 and multiply by 100. 19, because it was the nineteenth day of the year. 

So going by this calculation, we've got 95% (now less sha) left in the year. How do you plan on spending it? And what's the plan for the plan? Like, have you mapped out a strategy for the plan? I'm also asking myself this question. It can feel overwhelming, I know. But let's learn to function beyond the overwhelm. I'll say that again. Dear blog reader, learn to function beyond the overwhelm. 

While you've written down or will write down the things to do this year, may I suggest the things to not do? 

Here you go; 23 "Dont's" of 2023

1. Don't joke with spiritual growth. 

I know this is already sounding like a cliche to you, but I don't care. This is not the year to joke with spiritual growth. Pray like you'll not pray again. Study the word like bibles will soon go extinct, keep your confessions right like you'll be paid for it. 

 

2. Don't avoid your local church. 

Jokes apart, I don't know how Christians survive without a local church. Like how? It's like the natural habitat of any true Christian. Have you seen a fish trying to survive outside water? How does it end? 

Please get serious with your local church. Be regular, join a unit and serve. Make friends and build solid relationships with the brethren. 

There's a church for everyone. You're not a 'lone-ranger' Christian. Find the church for you. Someone said something:  if you cannot find the church you want, then start the one you want". I think that's a valid point, lol. Cos I hear people say XYZ church is not what they want and so they sit at home instead. Toh, start your church. Gather believers and fellowship together. That is a church. "Where two or three are gathered…"

3. Don't neglect your family.

This one is very important. There's a reason we all come from a family. If God planned it that way, don't you think it's super important? Check on your family, know what's up with them, and be involved in their lives. Being a sister, brother, uncle, aunt, or whatever is a responsibility. Be thou responsible. 

4. Don't neglect solid friendships.

Friends are the siblings God let us choose. Don't do life alone and be a friend indeed. Reach out to them intentionally. Life can get really busy, I know, but don't let your relationships be the sacrifice. 

5. Don't play with your health.

God is our healer and we know that He has no joy in seeing us sick. But hope you know that most illnesses stem from a weak immune system? And the immune system becomes weak when nutrition and rest have been compromised for a long time. Don't play with your health. Eat well, rest well, and exercise well. 

6. Don't joke with accountability.

Having an accountability partner can be a valuable tool for achieving personal and professional goals. An accountability partner is someone with whom you can share your goals, progress, and challenges, and who can provide support and encouragement. This can help you to stay motivated, focused on your goals, and also overcome obstacles and setbacks.

It is important to find an accountability partner who is reliable, supportive and has a similar goal or interest. 

In fact, this post is up right now because I told my accountability partner that I'll post two posts this week. And on Wednesday, she asked when the second one would be up. I told her today and I knew that meant me sitting to finish this up because I don't have an excuse tonight. 

7. Don't downplay personal growth and development. 

Personal growth and development refer to the process of improving oneself in various areas such as physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It is a lifelong journey that requires commitment and effort. Some ways to promote personal growth and development include setting personal goals, learning new skills, practicing self-care, building healthy relationships, and seeking feedback and guidance from others. 

Invest in all the areas of your life. Pay the price now, buy books, attend seminars, events, conferences, and what have you. Don't leave it to chance. 

Personal growth and development can lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying life and can help you to be more resilient and better equipped to handle life's challenges. 

8. Don't sleep on social media.

Instagram doesn't have an end. If you keep scrolling down, you'll keep going and if you're not careful, ample time would have been lost before you realize it. 

9. Don't joke with mentorship.

Whether direct or indirect mentorship, you'll go further when you can access the wisdom of those that have gone ahead of you. You don't have all the time to learn all you should. Let someone shorten your learning curve. 

10. Don't withhold your knowledge.

Sharing your knowledge with others is an important way to contribute to the growth and development of those around you. 

Someone said a tree will not eat its fruits and that's right. The knowledge you have is not for you alone, teach others. And don't tell me there's nothing you can teach. Just think well, you know something someone needs to know. 

 

Knowledge goes extinct if not properly documented and passed down to others. Withholding your knowledge can be detrimental to both yourself and those around you. When you share your knowledge, you not only help others but also increase the value of your expertise.

As people shorten your learning curve, be committed to doing the same for others. 

11. Don't be hard on yourself.

Give yourself grace. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Fail 

forward. 

It's important to remember that sometimes, people make mistakes in life, including you. Being hard on yourself can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Instead, try to approach mistakes and failures with a growth mindset. Recognize that they are opportunities to learn and improve. Be kind and compassionate with yourself, and remember that progress and success take time. Give yourself credit for the things you do well and try to focus on the positive aspects of your life. 

12. Don't rush the process.

No matter the heat applied, beans cannot be well cooked in the same time as noodles. Give yourself time, you're a work in progress, we all are. 

It can be easy to get caught up in the desire to achieve a goal or reach a certain point in our lives as quickly as possible. However, rushing the process can lead to feelings of frustration and disappointment. 

Instead, try to focus on the journey and the small steps you can take to move forward. Embrace the process and be patient with yourself. Remember that good things take time and that the journey is just as important as the destination. Trust that everything will unfold in God's time and that you are on the right path. Try to enjoy the present moment and not get too caught up in worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Remember that you are capable of reaching your goals and that progress, no matter how small, is still progress. 

13. Don't be lazy.

Laziness should be classified as a kind of life abuse. Not using a thing for the purpose intended equals abuse, with no exception of life as a whole. Don't abuse your life by being lazy. Work hard, hard work never kills. 

14. Don't procrastinate.

Someone said that procrastination is the arrogant assumption that God will give us another time to do what we should have done. Whoosh! This one is deep. Hope you know that you're not the only one that can write that book God asked you to write? Keep procrastinating and you'll soon see it on the bookshelf, but with another person's name on it as the author. 

I should read this paragraph again myself. 

15. Don't shrink.

Have you ever been in a situation where someone feels intimidated because of you? How did you handle it? My take on this matter is that you should try to affirm them if you know them and know that they feel intimidated by what you project. Encourage them, highlight their strengths and help them grow, but never tone it down for anyone. I repeat, never dim your light for anyone. 

In the real sense, we all need to learn how to deal with others' success without letting comparison come in the way. 

16. Don't regret.

This one is hard, I know. But try not to cry over spilled milk. Take the lessons from past experiences and failures and move on. 

The past is in the past already, move on. 

17. Don't be ungrateful.

To God and the people He uses to bless you. I saw a video recently where Chimamanda Adichie spoke about giving people their flowers while they can still smell them. And I concur. The best things about a person shouldn't be said at their burial. Be intentional about appreciating those that bless you. Not just in your head, but via your words. Take the time to send a message, mail, or whatever, thanking someone for something they did for you or have been to you. You might not be literally ungrateful, but what do you call not expressing gratitude? Aha. 

18. Don't think small.

Do you know who your Father is? A whole King of kings and Lord of lords o. And you're thinking small things. Error, ma. Dream big, you serve a Big God. 

19. Don't hide your gifts. 

I believe that the scripture Let your light so shine is an instruction. Why are we disobeying it? Let your light shine. Everywhere you find yourself, offline and online, bless the world with your gift and being. 

Like I said before, your gifts are not for you alone. Imagine a Doctor that studied medicine just to treat himself. How? 

20. Don't do life alone.

Numbers 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9 have touched a bit on this, but I feel the need to reiterate it, cos repetition aids retention. 

Don't do life alone. Carry your family and friends along. You can't be doing major things and the closest people to you are shocked. Like how? Before you say people are evil and all that, first choose the right kind of people to allow into your close circle. This also includes mentors, mentees, and all of that. 

And this also goes without saying you should not just carry them along, but invest in them too. How can you help your friends become better? Find out and do so intentionally. If you get to the top and realize you're the only one there, can you imagine how lonely it will be? 

21. Don't compare.

Comparison is a natural human tendency, but it can also lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction. To avoid comparing yourself to others, try to focus on your own goals and progress. 

Remember that everyone's journey is different and that you are on your unique path. Instead of comparing yourself to others, try to find inspiration in the successes of those around you and use it to motivate yourself to work harder towards your own goals. 

Most times when we compare, we do so observing only the fruits and not the roots. Meaning, we focus on their results without checking to see the investments they made. 

22. Don't trivialize little things.

Two Sundays ago, we had a conversation in my church on the topic What's in Your Hands? Truth be told, we can look down on things that seem small or just ignore them altogether. But no seed is as big as the fruit. Have you seen any seed that's the same size as the harvest? No. Cos seeds eventually grow. 

The Bible says to despise not the days of little beginnings. That's another instruction to pay attention to. 

Whatever you're doing, just a little more time, attention and investment will reveal how great and mighty the plans of God have been from the beginning. 

23. Don't forget.

Don't forget what you've learned, instructions and prophecies you've received, ideas you've conceived, plans you've made, and inspirations you've gotten. Don't forget where you're going this year, please don't forget. 

So here we have it; 23 Dont's of 2023.

What else do you want to add to this list? I'll like to read them in the comments section. 

I believe that it'll still be an amazing year for us all. Again, happy new year. 

Love and light, 

Nancita✨