Personal Goal Setting

Without Goals You Don't Stand Much of a Chance To Succeed

personal goal setting

Personal goal setting enriches our lives, because it provides us with a focus - a purpose towards which we can direct our actions. The Bible clues us why planning and setting a goal are important. Proverb 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision the people perish. "

Think of it this way - we rarely get in our cars and drive with no destination. We usually know where we are going and the road we will travel to get there. We are focused and we can measure the distance we've traveled, as well as how much further we need to go.

When we do not have a destination then we drive aimlessly. Driving aimlessly often leads to frustration and wasted energy. The funny thing is most people will not get in their cars and drive aimlessly, but they do it with their lives. They wake up every morning with no purpose other than to survive through the day.

You Benefit

The benefits of personal goal setting is it can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment. The goals need not be big - small goals will do. The point is as Human Beings we experience more vitality in life when we have a sense of purpose. How do we go about setting goals?

1. Start by focusing on areas of your life that are meaningful to you. Why? Because if you are striving towards a goal that does not motivate you - you are less inclined to accomplish it. Brainstorming is one method you can use to find out where you would like to focus.

2. Realize that personal goal setting is nothing more than targeting something you'd like to change/improve in your life. For example, let's say your family is meaningful to you, but you do not spend as much time with them as you'd like. This may be your focus.

3. Write down your goal. If your goal is big......break it down into smaller goals. For instance, if your goal is to spend more time with your family this can be broad. So, maybe one smaller goal is to find an extra hour in the evening to spend with your kids. Another goal may be to implement a date night with your significant other.

4. Note your starting point. For example, in your desire to spend more time with your family you realize you work three hours of overtime per weeknight.

5. Establish a date to achieve your goal. Based on a realistic assessment of your starting point, in comparison to what you'd like to achieve, establish a timeline to complete each step in the process.

6. Commit to achieving your goal. You've done your homework. You've found a meaningful goal and set a course for achieving it.

7. Visualize your success. Visualizing your success serves as powerful motivation towards the achievement of your goal.

8. Move into action. Just do it. One step at a time.