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E are beyond your reach or too low expectations that do not challenge you . Take note ; the goalsetting process is not so much about achievements as it is about your growth and maturity . Let the Holy Spirit direct you .
So for each of these areas :
Decide what you want ( that is in alignment with God ’ s will for you ) and write it down . You have to be as specific as possible . For instance , instead of , “ I am going to spend more time with God or my family ”; be specific : “ I will read a chapter of the Bible every day or spend Sunday afternoons uninterrupted with my children and have date nights with my husband every Friday night .”
Set a deadline . Set sub-deadlines if you want . A timeframe motivates you to take the necessary steps towards the actualization of your set goals .
Identify the obstacles or challenges you will most likely encounter along the way . This could include resources that you need to say , start or grow your business , that you do not have , or maybe a physical limitation that may not make things easy for you , etc . Because you do not entirely know what the future holds , just stick to the fact of what you do know . Then determine ways you can take to either avoid or overcome those obstacles .
What do you need to learn so that you are better equipped to achieve your goals ? Every new goal requires you to become a new person . How are you going to attain this knowledge or skills ? Read books , attend seminars , subscribe to which podcasts , take online or on-site certification or non-certification courses , hire a coach ?
Determine whose help you will need . Jesus needed the 12 ; Moses needed Aaron ; Paul had Aquila and Pricilla . Whose help are you going to need and what do you have to do to earn their support ? Put your ideas down . Before ruling anyone out , prayerfully consider how each of the persons you already have around you can help you . You should also consider expanding your network .
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Take action . One of my favourite quotes is , “ talk is cheap ; action is gold .” Your goals are not going to realize themselves – no matter how beautifully you ’ ve laid them out on the pages of that squeaky clean , fancy journal – yes , that one . “ Faith without actions is USELESS ” – said James ( James 2:20 , GNB ). It is the actions you take on a daily basis that will determine your ultimate result . So break your year ’ s goals into monthly targets and daily tasks . Little drops of water make a mighty ocean . Do something every day that moves you closer to your goals .
Review and track your progress . I can ’ t overemphasize how important this one is . You can review your goals monthly to see where things are working , where you need to improve your efforts or what you need to tweak to get things together . You don ’ t want to wait until the end of the year to track your progress .
On a final note , make the necessary mental shifts that are necessary to accomplish your goals , trust in God and believe in yourself - God ’ s given you gifts and talents that will enable you to achieve His purpose for your life . Identify setbacks for what they are : setbacks , not stop points . Yes , you will fail or struggle at some points as you move forward , but don ’ t stop . Keep moving forward , no matter what . David testified , “ the Lord guides people in the way they should go … if they fall , they will not stay down , because the Lord will help them up .” – Psalm 37:23-24 , GNB . Irrespective of the difficulties you might face , never give up . God won ’ t give up on you .
12 DOZ Magazine January 2018