The beginning of the year often brings resolutions, good intentions, and as Pastor Joel mentioned, a half-month gym membership. I’ve never really made resolutions, but I always set goals at the beginning of each year. Perhaps they are the same thing. But to me, goals are more intentional while resolutions seem to be nothing more than good ideas.
Yesterday, Ryan and I sat down to write out our goals for 2007. They cover things from books we want to read to places we want to visit to houses we want to buy (actually, one house would be sufficient). We also set a goal to have a monthly goal check-in meeting so that we can keep moving towards our goals and encourage the other to do the same. Here are some of my convictions regarding goal setting:
- You rarely hit a goal that you don’t set.
- You need accountability to encourage you (and sometimes kick your butt) into action.
- You need to break down those goals into simple, logical, and quantifiable steps– especially the big crazy goals. I like to set S.M.A.R.T. goals and action steps– they are Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Require Faith, and are Time limited.
Each year, I try to set goals in the following 7 categories:
- Spiritual
- Physical
- Intellectual
- Vocational
- Financial
- Relational
- Personal (the miscellaneous, catch-all category)
This year, I’ve got 3-4 goals listed in each category. Some of them are life goals– like going to Kenya and producing Godspell. Others are smaller goals that have lived in the realm of good intentions for too long and need to be pushed into action– like scheduling regular date nights with Ryan.
I’d encourage you to spend some time over the next few weeks setting some goals for yourself for 2007. Think in terms of your personal spiritual development and leadership. Think in terms of your small group. Think in terms of the seven categories listed above.
is there a missions trip to Kenya this year?
heidi scanlon
January 2nd, 2007