Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3: 23-4

 I don’t know about you, but I like to set goals early in the year. Setting goals gives me a direction for my time and energy. Over time I have learned how to set goals that motivate me and help me to move forward. I find that I meet the goals more often than I miss them. That is really encouraging!

An important part of goal setting and keeping is evaluation. Throughout the year I keep my goals in mind. I look at them frequently and I step back to see how I am doing in forward motion toward meeting that goal. But, later in the year, like November, is a good time for some serious evaluation. I look at the goals I set for the year and gauge what progress I’ve made, but I also begin to consider what my goals might be for the next year.

I have learned that setting a goal is an act of faith. I know that I can’t meet any goal without God’s help. So, I prayerfully set the goals with God. Setting goals for next year actually starts now for me. What about you? Do you set goals and stay on track with them? What if I could give you a way to set goals that will help you to make progress in what matters most? It might be a different approach and I hope it helps you end next year knowing that you have moved forward toward fulfilling the potential God put in you!

Several years ago, I began employing a different kind of goal that has guided my other goals. I pray about and choose a word as an overarching theme for the year. I have heard it said that the word really “chooses you” and I have found that to be true!

In the fall, I start listening for what my word might be for the next year. Many times, that word has been a surprise to me. I might be sitting in church or a conference and when the speaker uses a certain word it seems to be on loudspeaker! Or I might be reading – not necessarily the Bible, it could be anything – when a word seems to stand out as if it is. not only bold, but highlighted in fluorescent yellow or pink or green! I give it time and look for ways that word is confirmed before I take my next step.

Once I settle on the word, I begin to pray about an anchor scripture to go along with that word. One year my word was “Perseverance” and the companion scripture was Hebrews 10:36.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (NIV)

Another year my word was “Loved” and my scripture was Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)

“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

The systems I’ve created to keep my word and verse in mind have helped me to memorize the verse but also reminded me to do what it said – to persevere in pursuing my goals or to trust that because I am loved by God I am full of life and power that comes from Him. You get the idea?  

Finally, I set some goals for the year. I don’t usually finalize those goals until January, but I begin to think about them as I evaluate the past year. As I craft goal statements, I try to keep my word in mind and align the goal with that word. The theme word doesn’t define the goal itself. It defines how I want to approach the goal. Such as with “perseverance” or to “influence” or from a position of knowing that I am “loved.”

As the year comes to a close, I find myself encouraged at how God has helped me to do so much more than I could do on my own. This year my word was “launch” and I have found myself launched into so many new things. Even though I may not have accomplished all the tasks on my goal list, I have lived out my word. The word is more about what God has done in me than accomplishing tasks. That’s my hope for you. That you would live in a way that allows God to do His work so that you can fulfill all that He has for you.

So, what do you think? Does this process intrigue you? If so, reach out to me. I’d love to talk with you about it. No matter how you approach your goals, my hope is that you will commit yourself to being all that God has called you to be. That is a goal worth reaching for!

 Key Question: What are you doing right now to prepare for progress in the next year?

A Scripture to Consider: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3: 23-4

A YES Challenge: Start praying about a word for 2024. Keep your eyes and ears open so that you can be attentive to what God might be speaking to you.  

Prayer: Father, I thank You for the progress I have made this past year. At times, it seemed like I wasn’t moving forward at all, but You have been faithful. You have helped me keep my focus and accomplish more than I could without You. As I look back on this year and look forward to next year, help me to discern what You are saying so that I can set appropriate goals. My greatest desire is to honor You. Help me to keep pressing toward my full potential for Your glory. Amen.