Top 5 Tips for Making Goals in the New Year, Part 2 of 3

Want to make goals that stick around past January 7th?

Take a look! ?

Sometimes people get concerned...

Especially about planning "too much." 

"Does that leave room for GOD?" They'll ask.

I believe, that if you allow GOD to be a part of your visions, dreams, and goals, that they'll be plenty of space for GOD to "show up."

The Psalmist tells us that when we delight ourselves in the LORD, he will give us the desires of our hearts. Psalm 37:4

GOD wants us to have desires and dreams, and GOD also wants to  provide them for us. If we begin with GOD and our strong and trusting relationship, the desires of our hearts will be shaped by the Dream Giver. They will be different than anything we could come up with on our own.

As we lay out our plans, to the best of our ability, we DO need to always be aware and prepared for the "tweaks" GOD might present along the way. But, that does NOT mean that we shouldn't lay out a plan.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?

Luke 14:28

Make your plans! Estimate the cost! And then give all the glory and honor to the Creator who put the desire in your heart in the first place.

Now, on to the next steps for making those goals stick!

THREE: Write 3-5 goals for the next year

Take a look at the 9 year vision that you wrote in Step TWO. What are the baby steps you need to take to get there? What needs to happen within the next 3 years, the next 1 year to make that happen?

Using that information, write 3-5 goals for the next year. They need to be balanced, leading toward your 9 year vision. It's essential that you acknowledge your highest priority roles within those goals. Balanced means you're spreading your goals across your  career, family, health, finances, etc. 

Consider too that some goals may act as an umbrella that hold smaller goals underneath. For instance, a weight loss goal may include meal plans and/or exercise routines.

FOUR: Write SMARTER Goals

As you're writing down your 3-5 goals for the next year keep this acronym in mind and make them:

Specific--give numbers, examples, dates

Measurable--you must be able to tell if you've accomplished your goal

Achievable--it can be accomplished with reasonable resources, time, and investment.

Realistic--see above!

Time-based--give deadlines and set boundaries

Evaluate--keep track of how you're doing toward reaching the goal and make necessary adjustments

Reward--along the way AND upon completion...you deserve it! (and it'll help with motivation)