by Janine Mick Wills
Have you set goals for 2019? If not, stop everything and get started! As Zig Ziglar says,“If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.” But to have something to aim at, you need a plan!
Goal setting without a plan is like taking a cross-country trip to who-knows-where without a map (They still make those?), GPS, or smartphone. You have a slim-to-none chance of getting anywhere. You’ve got to know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.
Jesus put His stamp of approval on goal-setting. Luke 14:28-32 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
There are five things to consider when setting goals:
- Your mode of learning
- Your personality
- Your natural talents
- Your gift(s) of the Holy Spirit
- Are your goals congruent (in agreement or harmony) with God’s will for your life?
If your goals are in agreement with these five things, you stand a greater chance of achieving them. If not, you’ll probably be unhappy working on them because they don’t mesh with who you are. From there you might lose interest and quit altogether.
Make sure your goals bring honor and glory to God and not to yourself.
Since goals are personal, it’s easy to become self-absorbed in them. You may have a goal to lose 35 pounds, but maybe that number is unrealistic and could make you vain or be harmful to your health. Maybe God would have you to lose 25 pounds instead. Wrap your goals in prayer from start to finish, and you won’t go wrong.
It’s not the destination; it’s the journey that is important.
If all you’re interested in is the end result, you’ll miss the satisfaction of each step of your accomplishments. And remember your life is more than goal setting. Attaining your goals won’t bring happiness. Relationships bring happiness. Don’t forget the people you love when going for your dreams. You can either trample them on the way to the top or take them with you with their blessing!
What kind of goals should you set?
There are two types of goals: long-term and short term. It’s good to have both. Long term goals require more planning and effort to execute. They can range from a few weeks (Get the entire house cleaned; planting the garden) to a few years (Going back to college and earning a degree; rearing the children to be responsible adults). Short term goals usually take a day (or less) to a week to complete (Get both bathrooms cleaned; plant your flowerbed; hem that pesky pair of pants).
Make sure your shot term goals out-number your long ones, especially when you first get started. Jim Rohn says, “Short term goals are confidence builders.” They can be reached quickly and will encourage and motivate you to stick to the long term goals.
Make your goals worthwhile. Something you really want, so you can get excited about working on them.
Make more than one goal. Short and long term. Variety will keep you interested and balanced. More money, being thin, quitting a habit or starting a new one won’t matter if you don’t also work on your health and relationships.
When setting your goals, reach for the stars, but keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. If all your goals are unattainable (You’re 4’11” and want to play in the NBA, or you are 6’4″ and want to be a jockey), it can set you up for disappointment and defeat. On the other hand, do dream big. Even if you don’t fully attain that goal, you will be farther down the road than when you began.
Setting goals in 2019 should be a priority. Stay tuned to my blog. Throughout the next few months, I’ll give you more hints and ideas to help you make and reach your goals.
Happy planning and achieving your goals!
See “Never Give Up on Your Dreams” for inspirational quotes to encourage you to set goals.
