Goal Getter!
Goal Getter
How to achieve your goals in the New Year…
We’ve all done it, create a list of resolutions for the new year and begin off strong to only slowly slack off in the long run. We see it happening and let it happen. Soon enough we’re back on our old routines eating ice cream and doritos for dinner, waking up after 11 every morning, claim to be “uninspired” so your big project never gets finished, then push away priorities with a “later”. Soon enough another year begins and we get trapped in the same cycle all over again.
This year I’ve got a challenge for everyone who really wants to make this year different than the rest. This post is for those who are serious about new paths, who want more in their life, who are willing to put aside excuses and “be the change you want to see in the world” (Mahatma Gandhi).
Rule #1: Set reasonable goals
Now I don’t want to make it sound as if you shouldn’t have BIG dreams, I just believe you should want goals you know you can actually achieve. For example, I would love to have my own nonprofit organization one day but I won’t write a goal for this year stating ‘finally own my own nonprofit’. Face it, it’s unrealistic and vague. Usually we will see this goal and nod our head but not do a thing about it, because really how do you go about that? Setting a large goal requires time, patience, and steps. For this reason, I have a file on my computer that sets my monthly steps for these big goals. I section it out by months, and add bullets points that contain small, medium and larger goals for that month in order to move onto the next. For example, I would like to own my own car this year but achieving this takes time and *ahem* money. Since I plan on owning my own car by May of this year, I create a plan of setting aside $300 for the first three months in order to move forward to my next step, having enough to make a down payment by mid-April or beginning May! Having large dreams aren’t questionable, it’s when you make the dream but don’t have the vision to obtain it, then it becomes only a wish.
Rule #2 Bring it before god
I find that usually when we set goals, we try to accomplish it ourselves without putting it before God first. It is highly important to bring our cares and desires to Him in order to have them blessed! God wants us to prosper and be fruitful, allowing our blessings to bless others who will need it. When we bring our desires at God’s feet and listen to his voice, we are able to know whether or not this goal is in His will. A lot of times we plan goals and try to accomplish them within our own strength, resulting in taking routes God never planned for us to walk on and getting our goals accomplished far later than the original time it was intended to get done. Sometimes when we want something in our own selves, we don’t care how or if it’s the best for us, just as long as it makes us feel good, whether that may be a new relationship, move, job, etc. We push God out of the future because it is what we want. But what does God want? In Romans 8:28 it says,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Because of this I know that as long as I keep praying, trusting and believing in God with my faith rooted in Christ, my dreams, desires, goals, aspirations and all the other things that may lay on my heart to achieve, will come to past. Granted, some desires haven’t been fulfilled because it wasn’t in God’s plan for me, or hasn’t been finished because it hasn’t been released(more on this is video links below). God does not give us anything right away, we have to pray and keep trusting in Him that His promises He will do, because His word can not return to Him empty.
RULE #3 BE CONSISTENT
This comes back to my beginning statement, we get tired or lazy and fall off track or look around our situation and give up. I believe, achieving goals is a test of faith. God wants to see His children relying on Him every step of the way, instead of looking around them for clarity. Achieving a goal is never easy, that is why we need to trust in God in order to fulfill our dreams by prayer and sometimes fasting, depending on the decisions or choices you want to make within this new year. Praying for consistency, or having the holy spirit give you a word on days you need it most will help you continually strife within your goals in order to have them completed, no matter how hard or long it may be or take.
Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
For those who need a little extra encouragement and guidance, Pastor Michael Todd from Transformation Church, located Tulsa, Oklahoma has a perfect message for this New Year. Fun fact: he’s my favorite pastor to watch and listen to any day of the week. Listen to his 2019 message below!