“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
Goals are not set-and-forget. Part of the goal-setting and accomplishing process is review. It’s important to stop from time to time and recognize what you have done toward your goal. Even if you aren’t as far as you hoped you would be, it’s important to celebrate where you are.
Just as you set goals in the beginning of the year or season, schedule times to review and celebrate. It’s important to make this a regular rhythm. And here’s why.
Reviewing reveals progress. Throughout my book-writing process it’s been easy to get caught in the weeds. There are many, many details in any big project. Truthfully, I tend to get overwhelmed at the beginning of large undertakings. I see all the details at once and don’t know where to begin.
Then, as I find a place to focus and get started, I never lose the awareness that there is still so much left to do. Although, I am making headway, it’s hard to acknowledge because of what is yet undone.
When I stop to review, I am encouraged. Although I still feel the pressure of how much is ahead, I can see that I am on the right track. I remember every step counts.
Reviewing reveals needed improvements. The most important part of a big project is getting started. At least it is for me. Perfectionism can keep me from taking any steps at all. Once I start taking steps I am bound to make missteps.
That’s true for you as well, my friend. One of the most encouraging things I have heard is there is no failure, only learning. Reviewing my progress reveals what I still need to learn. Like Edison, who declared he had found many ways not to make a lightbulb, you and I will find many ways not to complete the goal. That is how we learn, and learning is how we grow. Growing is how we get the goal done. We make the necessary improvements and move on.
Celebration motivates you to keep moving. We might as well face the fact that discouragement is part of the process toward any big goal. Big goals take a lot of steps. Like climbing all the steps up to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on a ninety-five-degree day, it may seem like you will never reach the top and you might question if it’s worth the effort. It is, my friend! There is grandeur awaiting you at the top, but celebrating along the way can motivate you to take the next step.
Dear friend, you have come a long way. You really have! Be sure to take the time to review and celebrate. Focus on how far you have come. Recognize what needs to improve but be sure to celebrate and motivate yourself to keep going. You have already accomplished more than you think and will accomplish so much more than you ever dreamed. God has empowered you this far and He never quits! When you review and celebrate, you won’t either.
Key Question: How can taking time to review and celebrate motivate your progress?
A Scripture to Consider: “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
A YES Challenge: Set an appointment with yourself to review your goals. As you evaluate your progress, plan how you will celebrate what you have achieved, even if it is not as much as you hoped.
Prayer: Father, I admit that sometimes it’s easy for me to get discouraged. I want to be further along in achieving my goals. Help me remember that stopping to review and celebrate what I have accomplished rather than stewing over what I haven’t will keep me motivated and moving forward. No matter what the goals are that I have set, my ultimate goal is to glorify You with my life. Help me keep that in mind as I stop and celebrate what You have done in me through this process. Amen.