The Discipline Of PlanningSample

Goalsetting

The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. - Pro 21:5

After listening to the report about Jerusalem, Nehemiah not only prayed but also got busy planning for four months before speaking to the King. His main goal was very clear – to rebuild the broken walls and the burned down gates of Jerusalem.

Planning in those days would have been completely different from what it is today. With challenges like minimum information, long travels, less communication etc., planning the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem from a far-off country is, by no stretch of imagination, an easy task. There would have been many needs to be addressed in Jerusalem, but the clear and specific goals that he set helped him to focus.

One more interesting thing to notice is that when the King asked when he would return, Nehemiah gave him the return date.

Goals give a sense of direction and motivation; they create momentum, generate activities and also help us to stay focused during difficult times. Goals also help to measure progress.

Just talking about accomplishing or undertaking something without so much as making it a goal will not achieve anything. JC Penny once said, ‘Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I will give you a man who makes history, give me a man without a goal and I will give you a stock clerk’. Goals make you a meaningful specific, otherwise you are a wondering generality.

So, if you have a vision, did you set goals to realise your vision? If you haven’t, set them today. Start checking off what you accomplished and celebrate if you checked off a significant one.

Ben Franklin set aside time everyday to review two questions. In the morning he asked himself, “What good shall I do today?” and in the evening he asked, “What good have I done today?”

Father, help me to set goals today and help me to act towards them with Your help. Amen