Too often we make the mistake of setting goals for one or a few areas of our lives and neglecting others. We have these big ideas about how we want to succeed, make money and provide for our families but we neglect to set goals that actually ensure we’re giving our loved ones the best of us.
We have clear targets for the work we want to accomplish and how long we want to spend working, but fail to account for our health and vitality that is so crucial to our ability to accomplish those career goals.
But there are also those times when we are tired, overwhelmed and unable to set one more goal. We might feel a sense of shame at our failure to meet past goals or even an overwhelming sense that nothing matters anyway. We think, Why bother, since the world is in such a mess?
But the truth is that we have a future, and a hope created especially for us by our God and Father in heaven. We have the opportunity to do life with the ones we love and make the best of every moment. We also have a responsibility to nurture our bodies, maximize our God-given time and gifts in order to achieve His purpose.
So, if you’re not sure what your goals should be here are 10 that should give you a sense of direction.
Image Credit: Unsplash.com
1. A goal for your unique purpose:
Have you discovered what makes you unique? Have you explored your skills, interests, and dreams? Knowing yourself and who God has made you to be will open up a whole world of possibilities.
Related Article: How to Know Your Life Purpose
Image Credit: ©Thinkstock.com
2. A goal for your relationship with the Father:
How do you plan to nurture your relationship with God? What do you need to spend more time doing? Praying? Listening for His voice? Studying the word? Fellowshipping with other believers?
Image Credit: ©Thinkstock.com
3. A goal for your commitment to do His will:
There will be lots of opportunities for you to take the more popular path. It might be because it’s easy or because you don’t want to be or look different. Maybe it’s time to commit to doing God’s will no matter what. Best to make that decision long before the temptation to jump ship ever arises.
Related: A Prayer to Know God's Will for Your Life
Image Credit: Unsplash.com
4. A goal for your relationship with your spouse:
Life gets busy, distractions arise, and we find ourselves beginning to drift apart or take our marriages for granted. Set goals for how you want to nurture and strengthen your relationship with your spouse.
Related: 30 Days of Prayer for Your Marriage
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
5. A goal for your health and body:
Even when we’re healthy, setting realistic goals and habits will keep you constantly in the best shape possible.
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
6. A goal for your children or those for which you are responsible:
Time (make that quality time), prayer, making the best decisions on their behalf, teaching them godly principles, showing them great examples; these are goals that will enable you to be the best you can be as a parent or guardian.
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
7. A goal to love your neighbor:
Your neighbor is anyone you may come across, anywhere at any time. How will you spread the love of Christ to the people that cross your path? How might you be able to look beyond your opinions, biases and preconceived notions in order to be the hands and feet of Jesus?
Image Credit: ©Thinkstock-monkeybuisnessimages
8. A goal to be a better version of you every day:
Every day comes with the opportunity to do more and be more. Why not set personal development goals that will keep you on track to improve and be a better version of you at work, at work and out there in the world?
Image Credit: Unsplash.com
9. A goal to learn more about the world:
How much do you know about the world we live in? The people, places, cultures, and perspectives. Set a goal to learn something new every so often. Become a citizen of the world.
Image Credit: ©Thinkstock.com
10. A goal to be present in every moment:
Time passes swiftly, work piles faster than you can sort through it and precious moments are lost in the concerns of day to day life. Make it a goal to be present in your life. For yourself, your loved ones and your God.
Image Credit: ©Thinkstock.com
Remi Roy lives, writes and enjoys being in Dallas, Texas. Originally from Nigeria, she is passionate about her purpose which is following God every step of the way no matter the details. She is a contented wife, communications consultant and writing coach. She is the author of two books Ms. Unlikely and From the Sidelines and editor of Purpose Anthologies, a collection of personal life journeys. When she’s not working with clients, she spends time working on her next book and trying hard to be a morning person. You can find her at remiroyonline.com. Or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Originally published Monday, 17 April 2017.
