Three Steps you should take for creating goals for 2021
Each Wednesday, Caitlyn Foertsch brings us #WordWednesday LIVE at 7pm on our Instagram channel. January 6, 2021 she talked about creating goals for this new year and the steps you need to take. (Watch it on IGTV here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJuSuMJAHry/ )
1. Acknowledge God.
Wisdom is knowing that even when we doing know, God knows! Trust in the Goodness of God, and that he can accomplish anything! There is nothing He can’t do. We can believe that He journeys with us and always has our best in mind. He is trustworthy and faithful. Remember to be humble: God’s will always trumps our own! We don’t want to be in a position of demanding that all our goals work out exactly as we want. We need to be sure our attitude is one of humility before out holy and mighty God. Before we set any goals at all is is super important to bring them to God. The only person who knows what’s best for you is God. This brings us to the next step.
Psalm 33:11 “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
Psalm 37:4-5 “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
2. Examine your Goals.
Ask yourself what the motivation of your goals? What is your goal and why? Are your motives selfish or operating from a healthy place? Align your goals with God’s Word and will! Are you setting goals that are aligned with God’s character and who you are called to be?
Check yourself consistently: don’t allow your goals to be an idol in your life. You are loved. *This is why Acknowledging God is so important BEFORE setting goals. Sometimes that part needs to be a goal in and of itself.
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Proverbs 3:6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
3. Commit and Create Manageable Steps.
Once you have decided what your goals are break down them into manageable steps. For example if your goal is to read 24 books this year, look at it as one book every two weeks. Set aside times that you will spend reading each week in order to achieve this goal. Another thing to go is turn vague goals into concrete goals.
If a goal is to read your bible more- thats awesome but what is a concrete way you can phrase this? Read your bible for 10mins every morning? Read a chapter twice a week? Ok: what days will you do this on? Tuesdays and Thursdays? Mondays and Wednesdays? Writing Specific goals helps us to be accountable.
We need to commit ourselves to the tasks at hand. Commit yourself to the goal. Know that you will face set backs and disappointments. You might go through a week where you don’t do anything that brings you closer to your goal but need to persevere through rough times. Don’t give up! Goals often require hard work. We need to be diligent in our effort.
Posting my goals up somewhere I can see helps too! And don’t create too many goals. Having 10 goals for 2021 sounds good but it can get overwhelming quick, especially once you start breaking down those vague things into specific steps. I personally think 3-5 goals is a really good amount. And once you feel you’ve achieved them you can always add more later!
Luke 14:28, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
2 Chronicles 15:7, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”