Tag Archive | motivation

GOAL SETTING–ISSUES OF THE HEART AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH: Lesson 14 Bonus Content

A GOAL IS A SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ATTAINABLE RELEVANT ASPIRATION IN A SPECIFIC PERIOD OF YOUR LIFE.

Scripture Memorization

“May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.” Psalm 20:4

The Study

It is true that God is faithful to grant our heart’s desire. But we have a responsibility to do our part.

The Brain Research Institute reported that people’s number one desire is to be happy. It is a mindset to be happy. Happiness is a choice. Happiness is experienced everyday by those who choose to live at a higher level; a level of Excellence. Why? Because individuals pursuing excellence are actively committed to excelling and living intentionally every day. They set goals that lead to fulfilling their dreams and improving their life. This journey will require you to daily choose and intentionally live out these goals that directly lead to excellence. It also requires you to take captive every thought and action that will directly get you to your goal. This pursuit requires commitment. Each goal will require a different level of engagement. You might need a coach to keep you on track whether its just an occasional conversion to encourage you or an actual physical coach or counselor to meet with daily/weekly. For example when I decided to set a goal to run a half marathon, I used an online coaching schedule for my daily run and cross fit training,. I consulted one time with a nutritionist and then nightly reported my progress to my son and daughter in law in a daily text. They had experience running long distance races and were running this half marathon with me.

The pursuit of excellence just like any worthy pursuit takes practice to be proficient but also requires sacrifice. Anything that is worthy of your time; I can guarantee , there will be sacrifice. The accomplishment of a well sought after goal brings unspeakable joy, for me it was that first half-marathon run and finishing in 2nd place. Wow! Happiness. This was the high life and it was worth every sacrifice I made to prepare for the run.

When you have made the decision to choose the high life, you are choosing to give up the low life. The low life is “spending like there is no tomorrow, partying like there is no tomorrow, eating like there is no tomorrow and playing like there is no tomorrow.” It’s making choices with the sole purpose of satisfying spur of moment whims to achieve instant gratification without considering any consequence. It’s happiness short-lived. This defines ‘low life’. Deuteronomy 30:19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you and your descendants might live!’

The harsh reality is that your happiness is all up to You! It is not the responsibility of your family or friends. Or maybe… you are mindful of your happiness but you carry the attitude of postponing your happiness until.. “when I get a bigger house or when I get married or have children, or get out of debt. Then I will be happy.” STOP! I encourage you to please not delay your happiness! Life is too short. The psalmist said “This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it” .

Let’s identify the issues of the heart that hinders happiness.

Emotional brokeness includes issues of anger, anxiety, disgust, fear, unforgiveness, loneliess, insecurity and sadness, to name a few. Emotional brokeness can come from within you or be a reaction to your environment. Emotional changes can be normal, temporary responses to events; however, disproportion heart issues need your attention. Here is an opportunity for you to set goals pertaining to the issues of your heart and to emotional health. Set goals that will allow happiness to flourish in your daily routine.

GOAL ACQUISTION

How does a person accomplish a goal?

1. Look at it.

The best way to achieve any goal is to have a written plan. A goal that isn’t written down is just a dream. Here are five reasons why you commit your goal to paper.

*It will force you to clarify what you want.

*It will motivate you to take action.

*It will provide a filter for other opportunities.

*It will help you overcome resistance.

*It will enable you to see and celebrate your progress.

2. Tell people.

Telling everyone you know develops instant accountability.

3. Break it up.

Take measured steps. Long term goals of 10-20 years can be broken down into short term goals of 1-5 years and the objectives can be written out to become attainable daily acheivements.

4. Be realistic.

A good goal will take you out of your comfort zone, but it must be attainable. Do not set yourself up for failure.

5. Set a date.

A goal must be measureable and have a finish date.

6. Find an accountability partner.

You must have accountability. The accountable partner is being assigned responsibility for something you are supposed to do. Find someone who is willing to hold you responsible and is bold enough to ask you tough questions. This person will also be your best cheerleader.

7. Be committed.

Longfellow quote, “Success is doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do.”

You can choose to set goals and realize your potential. Or you can choose not to set them. Life’s purpose and fulfillment doesn’t happen by accident. The reality of not choosing to set goals is that the consequences more than likely are not going to be good down the road. Fulfilling the desires of the heart and fulfilling your dreams happen when we are willing to write them down and make a plan.

Lets get started.

*Write the goal plainly.

*Engage in a personal assessment which will determine where your current status is in relation to your goal.

*Write the objectives; the action plan.

*Develop a time frame.

*Write down the benefits to you as a result of accomplishing these goals.

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Women of faith, you will only rise to your full potential when you set goals and take action to achieve them. Have you ever baked southern biscuits? It is so disappointing when you take them out of the oven and they did not rise. They were made to rise. Those biscuits baked in the squat position. Many women wait for a perfect time to begin goalsetting. After the children are grown, when they have more money, when the weather improves, when the economy improves and after vacation…see those who wait get baked in the squat position. They are waiting for changes out there before they do the changes within themselves. God has made you to rise. Don’t wait! The rule is simple. ‘Do it now’.

Be confident that you can accomplish these goals. Scriptures says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do everything through Christ, who gives us the strength.

Promise

“Riches and well-being are in his house. And his right-standing with God will last forever.”

Blessing

“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.”

GOAL SETTING–FOUNDATION AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH: Lesson 9 Bonus Content

Mar3

Living with intentionality and purpose will put you on the path to excellence.The goal setting worksheet is a tool which will be used to write spiritual directed goals that lead to spiritual growth and health.

Scripture Memorization

Habakkuk 2: 2

“Take the vision, write it down, make it plain so that you can run with it.”

Read the book of Habakkak. Habakkak desired change. He was overwhelmed by the circumstances around him. Habakkuk lived during one of Judah’s most critical periods. His country had fallen from the heights of Josiah’s reforms to the depths of violent treatment of its people. Ungodly men were acting in ungodly ways. In the first chapter, Habakkuk asked God why? “O LORD, how long shall I cry” (1:2) His circumstances demanded that he ask God about the unrighteousness around him. Because he believed in God and believed that God had an answer to his problem. Habakkuk listened to God. God granted him the gift of a truth that satisfied his longings as well as provided the solution to his present situation. “The just shall live by his faith” (2:4) By chapter 3, the prophet’s prayer, we read that Habakkuk found his hope, strength and joy in God. “He will make me walk on my high hills” (3:19)

Dear friend, you also can find your hope, strength and joy in the God of Israel. As you approach lesson 9 with the desire for change, let your heavenly Father guide you. Like Habakkuk, we can desire change and find direction in seeking God’s plan for us. 1) Pray daily 2)Look with expectation for God to speak to you and read His Word daily 3) Listen for God to speak and receive it in your heart 4)Simply write the vision/dream down 5)Run with it knowing that God-given dreams are possible.

The Study

Lets review the terms GoalSetting/Assessment/Objectives

Goal setting involves establishing specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound goals. Work on the theory of goal-setting suggests that it’s an effective tool for making progress by ensuring that participants in a group with a common goal are clearly aware of what is expected from them. On a personal level, setting goals helps people work towards their own objectives—most commonly with financial or career-based goals. Goal setting features as a major component of personal development.

Goals provide a sense of direction and purpose
Goal setting capitalize on the human brain’s amazing powers of problem-solving and goal-achieving.

Goal commitment: People perform better when they are committed to achieve certain goals. Goal commitment is dependent on:

The importance of the expected outcomes of goal attainment.
Self-efficacy – one’s belief that he is able to achieve the goals.
Commitment to others – promises or engagements to others can strongly improve commitment.

Goal-commitment: the most influential moderator, becomes especially important when dealing with difficult or complex goals. If people lack commitment to goals, they lack motivation to reach them. To commit to a goal, one must believe in its importance or significance.

Attainability: individuals must also believe that they can attain — or at least partially reach — a defined goal. If they think no chance exists of reaching a goal, they may not even try.

Self-effi cacy: the higher someone’s self-efficacy regarding a certain task, the more likely they will set higher goals, and the more persistence they will show in achieving them”

Assessment definition:

The purpose of a personal self-assessment is to get to know who you are better. Understanding where you are helps to give you a clearer picture of where you want to be. Personal self-assessment assists in identifying your likes, dislikes, personal characteristics, values, wants, needs, strengths and weaknesses. First knowing who you are is a significant step that must be taken before you can begin writing goals for yourself .

First of all, you have to be honest. You should set aside your fears and insecurities. This step will determine the success of the self-assessment process. It is important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Look in the mirror and face the person that you see in front of you. Take time to reflect on your imperfections and take note of your best features as well remembering that God made you exactly the way you are and that you have value and purpose. You need to look at who you are inside and out. Reflect on your good and your bad characteristics: physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually.

As soon as you have reflected on your strengths and weaknesses, take note of your likes and dislikes. It will be better if you can also include the reasons why and what triggers you to like or dislike them

Next, take note of the things that make you happy and the things that make you sad. Ask yourself what makes you to get out of bed each day and what makes you feel frustrated. This will help you identify your joys and sorrows that will serve as your foundation for building on your happiness and learning from your sorrows.

Your personal self-assessment should also include a list of your interest. What are the things that you enjoy doing during your free time? Are you the type of person who spends time sitting and reading or do you prefer getting out and participating in a sport or any physical activity ? This will help you understand your interests and where you would excel in service to others.

Another factor to consider is your personality. Are you the type of person who likes to talk to other people a lot (extrovert) or are you the type of person who prefers to work on something alone(introvert). It is important to know your personality type to identify where you would be most effective in community service (work, career, volunteer, ministry)

Aside from understanding your personality, you should also take note of your skills and abilities. What are you good at? Talents and natural abilities can help you identify what opportunities would enhance your potentials.

In conclusion, making a personal self-assessment will make you more aware of what you are really made of. Personal assessment will assist in pinpointing areas of vision for your life regarding your faith, family and community..

Determine Objectives

List (in simple terms) what you will have to do to reach your goal. Create an exact detailed strategy! Be realistic whether the goal can be achieved short term (1-5yrs) or long term(5-10yrs).

Objective Definition according to www.businessdictionary.com: ” An end that can be reasonably achieved within an expected time frame and with available resources. In general, an objective is broader in scope than a goal, and may consist of several individual goals. Objectives are a basic tools that underlying all planning and strategic activities. They serve as the basis for policy and performance appraisals.”