“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12

 Are your New Year’s resolutions already forgotten? Tell those failure thoughts to be quiet! It’s not too late to regroup and reset. But a resolution won’t help you get where you want to go. What you need is an actual goal. Do you have a goal?

What’s the difference between a resolution and a goal? A resolution is a decision, a desired outcome, but it isn’t a real target. A goal is a specific target to aim at. I’ve heard it said that a goal without a target date is a dream. It won’t happen. So, setting goals is different than making a resolution. A resolution declares, “This is what I want.” A goal says, “This is what I am going to do and this is when I am going to do it.” It requires prayerful consideration and intentionality.

What are some things you want to accomplish before this year is over? Why not set some goals? Think about what completing those goals will do for you —for your character, for your growth as a person.

 So, my friend, what kind of goals do you want to set? Here are some things you need to know about goals to get you started.

 A goal is specific. Losing weight is a resolution that many people make at the New Year… and then they make it again the following year and the year after that. A goal must include details. Maybe your big goal for the year is to lose 30 pounds by December 31st. It is measurable and specific. The key to a big goal like that is to create specific smaller goals to help you reach that goal. “I will lose 10 pounds by March 1” is a smaller goal to help you reach the larger goal.

This is something that has helped me tremendously. Since I’ve learned to set goals instead of making resolutions, I have found myself making measurable progress forward every year. It’s exciting! Having written goals that I look at and reflect on regularly has been a game changer for me. I want you to have that same sense of accomplishment.

In January of this year, I set a goal to launch my coaching practice by March 1st. Having that specific target motivated me to think through what elements were necessary to make that happen. Then I set smaller goals to accomplish that larger goal. On March 1st everything was in order, and I was able to declare my practice launched by sharing my website coaching page on social media. That may sound like a small thing, but it is significant because of all the other small steps that needed to be taken to make that ready. Check it out here! Celebrate with me! Setting a specific goal with a target date helped me to accomplish it. Do you see the difference between that and a resolution? Are you ready to set a goal?

 Setting a goal is an act of faith.  When you set a specific goal with a target date it can feel really scary. Trust me! It’s scary because you know you don’t have what it takes to make it happen. You see all the gaps and all your weaknesses. You see your inability. But writing it down (another important aspect of a goal) declares that this is something you believe God wants you to do. As you write it down, commit it to God and ask Him to guide you and help you. The bottom line is that you know it isn’t possible without God and you are trusting Him to close the gaps, guide your steps and strengthen your weaknesses.

When you write out that specific, time-bound goal you may feel your heart pound. You are aware of the risks involved, but you are deciding to trust God with the outcome. What if you don’t actually accomplish that goal as stated? It’s still an act of faith. You have still taken steps forward. You have still grown. You have still trusted God in the process. You still know Him better because of your efforts. Perhaps your target date wasn’t reasonable or some other factor. Reevaluate and readjust, but most importantly, celebrate and give God praise for the progress you have made!

 A goal requires you to reach beyond where you are.   Here’s the thing: You can’t go someplace you’ve never gone or do something you’ve never done without stepping outside your comfort zone. Take it from someone who is constantly fighting against the desire to stay comfortable, comfort is overrated! The exciting and fulfilling elements of life are all outside your comfort zone. Comfort is the temporary reward for taking the risks necessary to attain God-sized goals. There is comfort in the place of achievement. Enjoy that temporary reward and then take the next step outside your comfort circle. If you don’t take steps away from where you are you can never get where you really want to go. You’ll never achieve the dream that God has put in your heart. Time to take the risk, dear friend!

 Have you actually set goals, or have you merely stated dreams? Start today. Set just one big and terrifying goal, a goal you believe God wants you to achieve. Be as specific as you can be. Give it a target date. Pray over it. Commit it to God as an act of faith. Ask Him to guide you. Set your next smaller goal toward achieving it. Then there is only one more thing to do: Step out! You can do this, my friend!

 Key Question: What is your goal?

A Scripture to Consider: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12

A YES Challenge: Prayerfully write out one to three goals for the rest of this year. Be as specific as you can. Be sure to set target dates for completing each of your goals. Commit your goals to God in prayer.   

Prayer: Father, forgive me for valuing comfort above fulfilling divine potential. Forgive me for letting fear hold me back from accomplishing Your dreams for me. Help me be willing to explore those dreams and to set one goal toward fulfilling Your dream for me. Give me the courage to articulate it and write it down. Help me to set a reasonable target date and then break it down into smaller goals. My greatest desire is to honor You. I lay aside my fear and tendency to choose comfort. I chose You. Please walk this journey with me. I want to fulfill divine potential for Your glory. Amen.