Beyond the To-Do List: Finding True Purpose in Our Goals

 

Do you have a goal? A dream? Is it to get the ball into the net? Each of us has goals that are unique to us. Some may be similar, but all are unique.

Tonight, we're going to talk about some goal-setting ideas, making sure we create SMART goals, and ways to ensure we accomplish these goals.

But first, let's ground our discussion in timeless Biblical wisdom. We often meticulously plan, strategize, and visualize our success. And there's immense value in that focused intention. But have you ever poured your heart and soul into a goal, only to find the outcome wasn't quite what you expected? Or perhaps the journey felt harder, less fulfilling, or even downright futile despite your best efforts? It's a common experience, and it often points to a deeper truth about the nature of our ambitions.

Proverbs 16:1-3 offers profound wisdom on this very topic:

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD and your plans will be established.”

This passage reminds us that while our plans are essential, the ultimate "answer" and establishment of those plans come from a higher source. It encourages us to examine the true intent behind our goals and to commit our endeavors to the Lord, trusting that in doing so, our plans will find their true foundation and purpose.

Further Resources:

Goal Setting Ideas

Now, let's explore some areas where you might set your sights:

  • Career & Professional Development:

    • Acquire a new skill (e.g., software, AI).

    • Complete a certificate.

    • Improve public speaking skills (e.g., Toastmasters, public speaking positions at work).

    • Publish a piece of work (e.g., blog post, article, book).

  • Financial Goals:

    • Save a specific amount of money (e.g., emergency fund, down payment, investing).

    • Pay off debt (e.g., credit cards, student loans).

    • Increase income streams (e.g., higher-paying job, side hustle, investments, lottery).

    • Budgeting (creating and sticking with an intentional spending plan).

  • Health & Wellness Goals:

    • Exercise (e.g., cardio, strength training, yoga).

    • Eat healthier (e.g., fruits and veggies, whole foods, monitor calories).

    • Quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption.

    • Regular health screenings (e.g., primary care physician).

  • Personal Development & Learning Goals:

    • Reading a certain number of books.

    • Develop a new hobby.

    • Improve your writing skills (practice writing regularly and seek feedback).

    • Volunteer your time: Contribute to your community.

SMART Goals

Once you have an idea, turn it into a powerful, actionable goal by making it SMART:

  • Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. A specific goal answers the questions: who, what, when, where, and why.

  • Measurable: Establish concrete criteria to track your progress. A measurable goal answers the question: How will I know when I’ve reached my goal?

  • Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic and attainable with the resources and time available. An achievable goal answers the question: Can I realistically accomplish this goal?

  • Relevant: Make sure the goal aligns with your broader objectives and values. A relevant goal answers the question: Does this goal matter to me and align with my other goals?

  • Time-bound: Set a deadline for when you want to achieve the goal. A time-bound goal answers the questions: By when will I achieve this goal?

Indeed offers some pertinent information about SMART goals in: "How To Write SMART Goals in 5 Steps (with Examples)”

Accomplishing the Goal

Setting a SMART goal is a great start, but how do we ensure we actually achieve it?

  • Write Down Your Goals: This makes them more tangible and easier to commit to. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps.

  • Create the Environment to Succeed: Your surroundings matter. Choose reading over TV if learning is a goal, or opt for paying off debt over impulsive window shopping if financial freedom is your aim.

  • Track Your Progress: Regularly monitor your progress to stay on track. And remember to reward yourself when you stick with the plan – positive reinforcement is powerful!

  • Surround Yourself with People Who Want You to Succeed: This is crucial. Connect with a trusted friend, family member, personal trainer, or a financial coach – someone who will encourage, challenge, and support you on your journey.

The book “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones”,  by James Clear,  is an excellent resource on taking your goals and putting them in action and making them stick.  One action step that I put into practice after reading this book was to remove the TV from my office, a.k.a. “my hideaway”, so I would spend less time watching TV or Youtube videos and more time reading and actively working on my Goals.

Look, setting goals doesn't have to be some rigid, soul-crushing exercise. Start small! Think about one area of your life where you'd like to see some positive change. Maybe it's learning a new skill, improving your health, saving for something special, or strengthening a relationship.

Take that one thing and ask yourself: What do I want to achieve? By when? How will I know I've gotten there? Pray and seek the LORD’s will for this goal. That's the beginning of a goal.

Don't let your dreams stay as just dreams. Give them a chance to become real. Give yourself the gift of purpose and progress. Start setting goals, even small ones, and watch how your life starts to transform from a passive journey into an active, exciting adventure God willing. You've got this! What's the first step you're going to take?

Want an accountability buddy?  Schedule a call today!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beyond the Budget: Cultivating a Safe Space for Money Conversations

Image
  Beyond the Budget: Cultivating a Safe Space for Money Conversations Money. It's one of the most common topics that can spark tension, misunderstanding, and even outright conflict in relationships. We all know we should talk about it, but often, the conversations we have feel more like a battleground than a common ground. Just today, I heard a familiar story unfold. I was at a coffee shop, chatting with a group of friends. One of the men mentioned he’d recently received a raise and was eager to discuss with his wife how they could best use these new funds. He brought it up, hopeful for a collaborative discussion, only to be met with, “I don’t want to make that decision now.” He sighed, resigned, expecting that he’d likely just have to make the decision on his own. His story hit me hard because it echoed a significant failure from my first marriage, one I hope I've learned from deeply. In that relationship, my wife was truly the backbone of our home. She managed the household,...
Read more

Building a Legacy Beyond Wealth: The Power of Biblical Financial Coaching

Image
In a world obsessed with accumulating more, the constant pursuit of wealth can often feel like a treadmill – endless, exhausting, and ultimately unfulfilling. But what if there was a different path? What if managing your money could be about more than just numbers in a bank account, but about aligning your life with a higher purpose? Welcome to the world of Biblical Financial Coaching . This isn't your average financial advice. While it certainly covers practical aspects like budgeting and debt elimination, it does so through the timeless lens of Scripture. It's about understanding that every dollar you earn, save, and spend is an opportunity to honor God and build a legacy that extends far beyond material possessions. What Exactly Is Biblical Financial Coaching? At its heart, Biblical financial coaching is about integrating your faith with your finances. It's a journey that helps you: Understand God's Principles of Money: The Bible has over 2,350 verses on money, ...
Read more

Beyond Riches: How Essentialism Unlocks True Financial Freedom (and Purpose)

Image
  Introduction: The Fleeting Pursuit of Wealth This morning, as I spent time in God's Word, a passage from Proverbs 23 :4-5 resonated deeply: "Do not toil to acquire wealth: be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it. It is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven." Have you ever felt caught in the relentless pursuit of more, only to find that wealth, when made the sole focus, can feel incredibly fleeting? It's a powerful reminder that if growing our net worth is our only life goal, we might be chasing something that "suddenly sprouts wings." Investing in What Truly Lasts Proverbs 23:23 offers a profound contrast: "Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding." This verse challenges us to consider what we're truly using our wealth for. Are we simply accumulating it, storing it in silos, and deriving our self-worth from account balances? Or are we leveraging the blessi...
Read more