Thursday, January 7, 2016

Areas of Goal Setting

Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.  And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:13-14)

Moses listens as God lays out His vision for His people and then makes a request, “let me know Your ways.”  It was clear to Moses that he did not have the wisdom or the plan to carry out the great vision of God.  God promised even more than what he asked for by saying, "My presence shall go with you.”  To accomplish great vision requires wise planning.
All the evidence shows that people who write down their objectives are more likely to achieve them than those who do not write anything down.  It appears that the act of writing produces a greater sense of commitment.  Successful people set themselves clear written goals and then break them down into manageable intermediate targets so that they can measure progress along the way.  God did this with His warriors as they fought His battles.  They were to follow His steps.  God’s plans often involved more than the arrangement of the field of battle.  It involved all the areas of their lives.
In how many different areas of your life do you set goals? It is recommended that you set goals in five different areas in your life.
1.    Future.  What are your ambitions for success in your work, for promotion, for recognition, for further education, etc? Write out your plans and think about discussing some of them with those who know you.
2.    Friends and Family.  At every stage in life we should think about our relationships and how we can improve them. Think about your relationship with your parents, your brothers or sisters, your children, your friends, your neighbors and so on. Many people find that they are so busy with work and domestic chores that they never have time to develop the social life, activities and relationships that they would like.  For most people the most important relationship will be with their partner.  If you need to sort out an existing relationship, think about how it could be improved and plan the actions you can take to make it better.  Don’t take important relationships for granted.
3.    Financial. Set clear goals for improving your financial security. This should include savings, loan reduction, tithing, college funds, your investments and so on. 
4.    Faith.  Your strength will be in direct proportion to your faith and your faith will be determined by your knowledge of God.  What goals do you have to grow spiritually?
5.    Physical and Personal.  A lot depends on your continued good health. Most people know the key issues that affect their health (if you do not then your first objective is to get a health check) but often they do little about them.  Set clear goals to change your lifestyle in the areas which are harmful to your well-being.  What are the skills and experiences you want to develop?  It is important to keep learning new skills and the best way to make this happen is to plan for it in your goals.
Your life happiness and success is dependent upon maintaining a balance in all of these areas.  Failure in one can bring the loss of the others.  Are you on cruise control or do you have your Life Map out and ready to follow?

Scripture to Claim:
...but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18a

Devotional Archive