Goal setting has been described as the master
skill of success. Even Jesus pointed that out when
He asked, “is there anyone here who, planning
to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down
and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can
complete it?” (Luke 14:28). It goes like this
ladies: if you want to have a great year, you’ve got
to plan for a great year.
How can you do this?
Before I walk you through how you can set goals
for your life, health, career or business, let me
first say this to you: setting goals doesn’t mean
that you don’t trust God or that you are trying to
figure out everything on your own. In fact, the
opposite is true.
Sitting down to prayerfully contemplate your
goals for the year avails you the opportunity to
listen to God’s voice in everything you do. It is
He, “Who teaches you how to live right and well.”
(Isaiah 48:17, MSG). This shows that you trust
Him and believe that He is able to lead you in the
path that you should go.
Secondly, your goals are not final, God’s will for
your life is. It is therefore important that you
continue to allow Him to hold the reins of your
life (direct you towards His purpose), and choose
His perfect will for your life over what you think
is right.
Now, that we’ve got that out, let’s get down to
business.
In planning to have a successful year, the first
thing is to define what “success” means to you.
To do this, you have to consider your God-given
vision and purpose. (PS: if you are yet to discover
God’s will for your life, then that’s exactly where
you want to begin. Seek Him in prayer – and by
reading His word – and ask Him to reveal to you
His will for your life. Do this with an open heart
and a willingness to accept His will).
Knowing your God-given purpose, whatever you
will be committing your time to this year should
be leading you towards that purpose.
There are 5 areas of your life that you should
integrate into your plan as you set your goals for
the year. They are:
Your “Self ”: This includes your spiritual life and
growth, and your personal development goals.
How do you plan to deepen your relationship
with God, your work in His Kingdom, and
becoming a more effective individual?
Your health and fitness: You need to be in good
health condition and fit to achieve your goals.
Make plans on how you can attain or stay
physically strong throughout the year and beyond.
Your Family and Relationships: Most people get
carried away by the work they have to do that they
don’t take the time to nurture their relationships
– spouse, family, close friends, etc. Integrate
how you are going to carry your important
relationships along and/or revitalize those you
have unknowingly burned in the past.
Your Finances: Your career or business falls into
this category because that’s where you are making
money from. How are you going to increase in
those areas? Managing your finances, paying off
debts, saving, investing all belong here.
Your Social Life: Many Christian women believe
that piety means that you have to be uptight and
not have fun at all. But you can have wholesome
fun like hiking or going on a picnic with friends,
church group or colleagues at work to relax
once in a while. Just remember your values as a
Christian, and that will help you choose which
activities to partake in.
For each of these areas, choose ONE major goal
and 2 supporting goals to focus on. I recommend
fewer goals because – mostly from experience – I
have come to realize that having too many goals
leaves you overwhelmed, confused and frustrated.
The end result is that you will not be able to meet
most of your goals. You know where you currently
stand in each of these areas; so, what will be your
ideal next step?
Also, don’t set too high and unrealistic goals that
DOZ Magazine January 2018
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