Living in Increase (Part 12) - Increase in FocusНамуна

Week 2: Goal Setting

Missing the Mark

At the start of every year, more than 60% of Americans set goals for their vision in anticipation of the coming year. However, numerous studies show that only 3% of those who set goals have a clearly defined goal, and 1% have a written action plan to achieve their goals. Often, the goal is set on a whim during the last week of the year and created to fix a problem they face, such as health, fitness, and weight. Others set goals to achieve financial aspirations. In the business world, goals are set to hit sales markers. Regardless of why you are setting a goal, you have to have a plan in place to achieve the goal. It’s like the old saying goes, “A vision without action is merely a dream; action without vision is merely just passing time.”

The failure rate in achieving goals is due to a lack of understanding of the goal-setting process. Having your goals written out provides accountability for your goals. That’s a painful thought; most of us do not like accountability. We enjoy the warm fuzzies of feeling accomplished, but it’s not so warm when you fail to hit the goal. We strive for those dopamine dumps when we do well, but we don’t like the feeling of disappointment when we fail. This is why only 1% of the goal setters have a written plan. It’s like a subconscious avoidance tactic of not feeling the emotional pain of failure. After all, the fear of failure typically prevents us from setting goals.

As Christ-followers, we have an advantage in goal setting, and that’s the power of the Holy Spirit behind us. God has implanted within each of us a purpose and vision to fulfill in our time here on earth. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” This is the secret sauce to achieving goals! We’ve established that because we fear the pain of failure, we avoid having written action plans, but what if taking a strategic approach to goals was a part of spiritual discipline? What if having action plans behind our goals was a spiritual duty to fulfill what the Lord has called us to?

When you set a goal as a Christ-follower, it’s not just about what ‘you’ want to achieve; it’s about what God wants to accomplish in and through you. Setting goals with God’s plan in mind and praying over what God wants you to achieve brings a new light to your ability to achieve goals.

This week, we will learn how to set SMART goals and create action plans to break down our goals into achievable steps. By the week’s end, you will feel confident in your ability to set and achieve goals!

Lindsey Whitney

Action Step: Pray over some of the goals you have set in the past. Ask God to reveal to you why you didn't achieve those goals. Next, talk to God about some of the goals you intend to set for the upcoming year or quarter. Ask Him what He wants to do in and through you.