When you sit down to write out your goals for the year or a project, do you keep God in Mind?
Setting goals helps us narrow down and focus on those relevant things we want to achieve. We are never too old or too young to set goals. Goals differ from priorities in that goals define the road we intend to travel. Our priorities keep us on the road toward accomplishing our goals and determine the length of time it takes us to reach our goals. If a person has a goal to get a degree, but school is not a priority, it could take years to get a degree.
Goals and priorities are affected by the choices you make. They also determine where your efforts will be expended and where your focus will be directed. The Bible says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Your goals should glorify God. Yes, God wants you to be educated, have an excellent paying job, a decent roof over your head, and the desires of your heart, but it comes with the price tag of service. The accomplishment of your goals should, in some way, pay tribute to the kingdom of God.
Establishing Goals
Goals should be established in every area of your life. Take time and think about what you want to do in the following areas: career, education, family and home, health and nutrition, financial, spiritual, personal, social, and cultural. Write your goals down on paper and assign a priority level to your goals. Then, set aside time to pray and evaluate your motivation behind your goals. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you doing what you believe God has called you to do or what someone else wants you to do?
- Are you seeking selfish gain (fame, wealth, power, etc.)?
- Lastly, are you pursuing a God-given passion?
Once you have defined your goals, consider your strengths and your weaknesses—how they will help you accomplish your goals and how they may hinder you. In addition, look at your resources and possessions. Determine how they might be used to help you pursue your goals.
- Suppose your goal is to get a degree. In that case, consider using your strengths in a particular subject (mathematics, physics, foreign languages, etc.) to tutor other students to earn tuition money.
- If you are an aspiring business owner, consider selling some of your possessions to create money to start a business.
- If you have a nagging desire to get out of debt, use that as a motivator to help you come up with ideas to curve your spending and or save more.
- If procrastination is a weakness for you, acknowledge that and find ways to encourage yourself when the temptation to procrastinate emerges.
Traditional Goal Setting
Setting goals is necessary for future success. The adage, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail,” is evident in most things we do that affect our progression in life.
Traditional goal setting has taught us that a good goal must be written down on paper and be challenging but achievable. Most goals will also have the following characteristics:
- be specific and clearly defined
- be measurable
- have an established date, time, or amount
In addition, you will need to distinguish between short-term goals and long-term goals. Short-term goals can be defined as small and achievable immediate goals and short-range goals. Immediate goals are those goals you plan to complete in less than ninety days, and short-range goals are those goals that will take ninety days to one year to achieve.
Long-term goals can be categorized as mid-range goals to be accomplished within one to five years and long-range goals that will take five to ten years or longer to achieve.
Breaking Down Your Goals
Break your long-term goals into small and achievable short-term goals. Let’s say your long-term goal is to buy a house within six years; a short-term goal might be to attend a home buyers’ workshop. If this short-term goal can be completed within ninety days, it’s an immediate goal. If it will take more than ninety days to a year to accomplish it, then it would be considered a short-range goal (see Table 1).
Review your goals quarterly to sharpen and refine them and to transfer your new immediate goals to your calendar, and Master To-Do List.
Read: Setting Goals with God in Mind, Part 2
Read: Setting Goals with God in Mind (Final Thoughts), Part 3
References:
Miller, Sandra. Balancing Blessings and Obtaining Order for Women: 11 Steps to: Managing Your Possessions, Organizing Your Resources, and Walking in the Spirit of God. 1st ed., ByB e-Publishers, 2008. pp 96-100.
