If you’re connected to our podcast community, then I hope the following statement is an inspiring reminder:

You can do less and achieve more.

Rejoice if it’s a reminder. Let it sink in if it’s the first time you have heard or read this.

2024 is an intentional sequence of time where God will release great grace for focus. He will reveal His specific instructions to those who consistently position themselves to receive. He will clarify what has been finished in Heaven, so you can execute it on Earth.

In other words, He will help you focus on this one thing. I can’t write that without also thinking about where that phrase was already written. Many years ago, Paul wrote about this one thing:

I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course my friends, I really do not think I have won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above (Philippians 3:12-14, GNT).

Check out the entire chapter when you have a moment. It’s stocked with wisdom from God. Some of the wisdom includes a pattern we can follow to experience more by doing less.

If you read Philippians 3:12-14, it seems that Paul contradicts himself. He claimed to do one thing, but he later listing forgetting, reaching, and running. Those are three separate behaviors, right? Yes. But, Paul is really talking about one thing, FOCUS, and for him, focus was the big picture that had three details. Let’s unpack the pattern:

1. Stop: Paul said he forgot what was behind him. In other words, he stopped thinking about the past. He ceased an unproductive trend of behavior.
2. Start: Stopping certain behaviors isn’t the end of the journey. You also have to redirect your time, energy, and resources to something else. For Paul, this meant doing his best to reach what was ahead. He started focusing his efforts on the priorities God revealed to him.
3. Stay: Starting in a new direction is worthless if you don’t also continue in that direction. Paul said he also ran straight toward his goal. In other words, he remained on the same path over time, expecting to arrive somewhere intentionally.

That’s the path forward, my friend. Now, let’s make it even more practical:

1. Stop: What experiences from your past still feel like the present? What past errors are you devoting a lot of time, energy, and resources to rectify? How has the investment worked for you?
2. Start: What is God’s priority for you this year? What specific area of growth has He identified for you? Do you have enough time built into your schedule to hear His answers to these questions?
3. Stay: Where is God moving you intentionally? Who are your accountability partners as you travel from now to next? What challenges do you need to overcome to keep moving in the direction God has shown you?

My friend, explore these questions with the Holy Spirit. And, when the answers become clear, make sure you focus thereon. Commit to this one thing and witness the reality that you can accomplish more by doing less!