Sometimes life catches us off guard. Unexpected things happen, people come into our lives and people leave our lives. The world around us seems like it is beyond hope… If we get caught up in the world around us, then our focus becomes on that world and not one the One who created it. On the other hand, if we truly believe that our GOD is in charge and He has an ultimate plan, our job becomes much simpler.
In these more “mature” years, I try to focus on my priorities: God, family, our health and many other things on down the line. I guess it still takes me by surprise though that things don’t just simply fall into place. I have to plan them. I need goals to keep me motivated, but above all, I need to commit those goals to God. I need His strength, His continuous help, His comfort AND His forgiveness when I fail and I fail often.
Whether it is for your health, your work, your finances, your family or even daily devotions, setting goals and making a plan will help you stay on target to achieve your purpose. So, go ahead. Set your goals, make your plan and turn it over to God. See what He has in store for you.
Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. (Proverbs 16:3 MSG)
Setting goals is not just a good idea; it is a spiritual discipline. Goals stretch you and help you become all God wants you to be. Setting goals will give a destination for your vision. Move forward toward health in all areas of life and accomplish what God has called you to do by creating SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) in response to your results from the Five Essentials survey.
Specific goals are clear and unambiguous. This is where you tell your brain exactly what is expected and why is it important. A specific goal usually answers the five “W” questions: who, what, when, where, why.
Measurable emphasizes the need for tangible benchmarks. If a goal is not measurable, it is not possible to know whether you are making progress toward it. A measurable goal will usually answer questions such as How much? By when?
Attainable means the goals need to be realistic, even though dreams can be big. Extreme goals usually invite failure and frustration.
Relevant means you choose goals that matter and answer yes to these questions: Does this seem worthwhile? Is this the right time? Does this match your other efforts/needs? Being relevant also means your goals are relevant to God and bring him glory. Any goal that brings you closer to him and makes you want to serve him and others is a goal that matters.
Time-bound emphasizes the importance of attaining the goal within a certain time frame. A commitment to a deadline helps you focus your efforts on completion of the goal on or before the due date.
Once you’ve determined your SMART goals, share them with a friend. People getting healthy together lose twice as much weight as those who do it alone. That success dramatically increases when you are connected with others, receiving constant encouragement to stay focused and motivated toward your goals.