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Recently I did the course by Michael Hyatt, “5 Days To Your Best Year Ever.” The content of this course was well put together, efficient and thought-provoking. It was exactly what I needed to get my year started off on the right foot. In this video I share a few of the secrets I use to make sure I stay on course with the goals I’ve set for the year.
Here is the a transcript of what I say in the video above:
I have too many accidents in life to let life itself become an accident. I work really hard at living life on purpose. When you only get one of something, you better spend it wisely. For that reason I set lots of goals.
Recently I was standing in my office talking with some of my coworkers about the importance of setting goals. They asked my about my goals, and it only took a second for me to flip open my iPad and start to show them all sorts of graphs, charts and other things I use to track my progress. It was a funny moment because even as I shared, I realized how much of a “goal junkie” I was. We laughed about it later.
In Psalm 90 verse 12 David prays, “Teach me to number my days, Oh Lord, that I may gain a heart of wisdom.” I echo that prayer; I want to know how to spend my days so that I get wiser (and hopefully closer to God) throughout the course of my life. That is why I am a goal junkie.
So I want to share with you a few things I keep in mind when writing my goals for maximum effectiveness. The truth is that we can all write goals, but accomplishing them is a whole different thing. So to write goals in such a way that will allow is to be motived and able to achieve them, requires intentionality when we write them.
First, our goals must be value based. What I mean by that is that we can’t just make a goal without it being tied to a value in our life. For example, I love my wife and I want to fall more in love with her until we are old and wrinkly. Therefore I have set the goal to go on a date with her every two weeks and read our Bible together three times a week. These goal will help us have a deeper relationship that will last the long haul. So identifying what is valuable is vital before determining your goals.
Second, I ask God to help me write goals that align with HIS goals for me. I believe He has bigger dreams than I will ever have for myself. So I ask him, “God, what do you want from me?” Through prayer, Bible, and seeking godly advice, I usually find His answer. Without God’s active involvement in my goal writing, I’ve found that my goals end up being selfish, shallow and safe.
Finally, I make sure I am ready to face the opposition WHEN it comes – not IF it comes, because I know that something is going to try to sabotage my goals. 2 Peter 4 verse 12, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you when it comes … keep on rejoicing.” There will be all sorts of distractions, discouragement or even attacks. I must keep my chin up and press on.
So join me, be a goal junkie and life your life on purpose. You only get one.
