Here’s some great news: Today begins a new year with 366 days of opportunity in it. Yep, 2024 is a Leap Year.
Here’s some not-so-great news: According to Forbes.com, only 8% of people achieve their New Year’s resolution goals.
This statistic attempts to evaporate my hopes of carrying a goal to fruition. So how can you and I become part of the 8% who meet our 2024 goals – whether about health, finances, time management, parenting, or spiritual growth?
Get to the Core
God is teaching me that to meet my goals, I must first allow Him to peel back the onion layers and reveal the core of my sins. Typically, I see my issues (and need for goals) center around a lack of self-control, a spirit of laziness, or a distrust in God. Here are some examples:
Goal #1 – Health
I don’t maintain self-control and thus overeat and exercise too little.
Goal #2 – Parenting
I yell at my children because I want life to be easy and get annoyed when my children bother me.
Goal #3 – Worry
I get anxious which causes me to zone out and binge-watch Netflix. This is centered around the fear that God won’t truly provide for me.
MAKE SMART GOALS
Once you get to the core issue, begin setting SMART goals. That means the goal is:
Specific – What, where, why.
Measurable – Contains numbers.
Achievable – Can I achieve this goal?
Reasonable- Is it realistic with the time and resources that I have?
Time-bound– When will this goal be attained?
Not SMART Goals:
- I want to lose weight.
- I will wake up and have a Quiet Time.
- I will be consistent in disciplining my son/daughter.
SMART GOALS:
- I want to lose 2 pounds a week for a total of 10 pounds by eating under 1500 calories and working out 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week.
- I will set an alarm to wake up at 6:00 a.m. on M-F and 7:00 on Saturday and Sunday to read my Bible and pray for 15 minutes. I will use the study Armor of God and my prayer journal to guide my time.
- I will focus this week on teaching Sally to pick up her blocks when I ask. I will tell her only one time. If she fails to complete the task, I will take the blocks and put them in time-out for 1 week.
See the difference? It’s huge!
Seek ACCOUNTABILITY
Next, choose an accountability partner. Someone who will text or call asking if you were successful, or it may be a professional Christian counselor. If you don’t know of anyone, send me a note. I’d love to brainstorm ideas with you.
PRAY
But all of this would be in vain if we didn’t first bring these desires to God, allowing Him to guide our goals and find our strength in Him. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” No one is rooting for us more than our Heavenly Father! He desires to be the source of all heart change.
So, get to the core of the issue. Develop SMART goals. Seek accountability. Pray. Four things that can move you and me from the 92% of failures to the 8% of people who succeed in meeting their goals.
Ready to take the first step? Share your SMART goal in the comments below or on our social media.
A few small Be Intentional Planners are still available, Use the spiral-bound book to help meet your goals from January – December 2024. Only $15. Order now before they sell out!
