If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5 (NIV)
Sometimes it can be a bit challenging when setting goals to define clearly what you want to achieve. In the Make Your Year A Living Success Goals Workbook, you’re asked the question, “Where Am I Today?” which you use to rate and evaluate seven life areas. This can be challenging but it is necessary if you want to move forward. This exercise helps you to determine which areas of your life you need to focus on more.
Following that exercise, you will start setting your goals or creating your life plan. Again, even though you may have identified areas that you want to improve, putting a plan together can be quite the challenge. In the post I have created questions that you can use to help you plan in each of these life area.
I know for the most part taking time to question yourself may seem hard and time consuming. However, there is a benefit because for every question, even the hard ones, an answer can be found. As you start questioning yourself about your life, also ask God for already He knows the answer. He will search your heart and give you the wisdom needed to move your life in the right direction.
LIFE VISION
- What would make you smile with satisfaction when you look back at my life?
- How can you get closer to your 10-year goal in this year?
- What can you do to make the world a better place?
- How would you like to be remembered?
FAMILY
- Who do you need to have a better relationship with in your family (spouse, children, siblings, in-laws)?
- What family values and/or traditions (e.g. celebrations, fun events, special occasions, family devotions or prayer) do you need to develop or reinforce in order to leave a lasting legacy?
- What family goals (e.g. buy a house, family reunion or vacation, stronger relationships) do you have for this year?
FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES
- What relationships do you need to improve?
- Is there anyone who you need to disconnect from because they are a negative influence?
- Is there someone who pulls you down rather than lift you up and encourage you?
- Are there people you interact with that drain your energy in one way or another?
- Who do you most admire in your sphere of influence? How can you connect with them?
FINANCIAL
- What are your immediate financial needs?
- Do you have a workable spending plan? Does it need to be revised?
- Do you have a financial plan aligned to your values?
- Do you need to a financial increase? How much? What will you do to achieve this?
- Are you satisfied with your current income level? If not, why and how can you improve it?
- How much do you plan to give, save and invest this year?
- Is there a plan to reduce debt or to get out of debt completely?
HEALTH – PHYSICAL
- What can you do this year to improve your overall health?
- Do you need to create and follow a healthier eating plan?
- What plan do you have to keep physically fit (have a personal physical assessment and exercise plan, start walking, participate in fun sporting activities, purchase and use workout videos, partner with a few exercise enthusiasts)?
- Have you booked your annual health checkup and regular doctors visits? Would you prefer to work with a nutritionist or with an alternative health practitioner?
INTELLECTUAL / PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Should you enroll in an academic or professional course or other course of interest to you?How many books do you plan to read this year?
- What topics would you like to cover?
- Who can you connect with as a mentor, coach or mastermind group to provide support and accountability?
CAREER / BUSINESS
- Are you in the career of your dreams? If not, what do you need to do to get there?
- Do you need to study in a particular field? Or do you need to get on-the-job training?
- Do you need to make a complete change in your career and embark on a new adventure?
- In what ways can you improve service and product offerings in order the generate business income and be profitable?
- How can you better serve your customers (internal and external)?
SPIRITUAL
- What can you do to have a closer relationship with God this year and beyond?
- How can you better serve the Lord not only in church-related activities but in all areas of my life?
- Do you spend enough time in prayer, bible study, reading books on Christian living to help you grow in your walk with the Lord?
- How often do you set aside time during the day to spiritually rejuvenate (such as having moments of quiet reflection, listening to uplifting
- music, watch short but inspiring videos or having a talk with God)?
- How can you be a more effective witness for Christ?
This does seem like a lot of questions but they are just designed to get you started in your planning. You don’t need to answer all these questions or set major goals for each of these life areas. In some cases, you may need to set small goals – simple life habits – that can and will greatly improve your life. In other cases, based on where you are today, you may need to do a makeover on one or two areas of your life.
So take a step. Look at where are today and ask yourself a few of these questions to help you set purposeful goals. Ultimately, whatever goals you set, make sure that they align with your values and with the will of the God.
If you need help with goal setting, it’s not too late. Check out the Make Your Year A Living Success Goals Workbook.
Here’s to your best year ever!
PamelaC