Goal-Setting for Christians – How to Spark your New Year Goals

It’s that time of year when goal-setting and resolution-making kick into high gear. As Christians we are no strangers to new beginnings. Yet, too often, we fall prey like so many and fail to realise the power of God at work in our lives.

Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV).

I’m convinced that God’s power is the ultimate source for us to tap into as we plan our next year. It is also my firm view that we should approach goal-setting in a way that reflects our faith.

My prayer is that with goal-setting (and every other area), we will experience God’s power at work in our lives.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV).

Now, it’s one thing to say we want to experience God’s power, it’s another thing to actually apply that power to our lives. As I approach my New Year I’m devising a plan that taps into that ultimate power-source which I’m sharing with you.

My goal-setting plan for the upcoming New Year is based on:

• my own experience with goal-setting;
• my professional experience as a strategic planner (yes, one of my many hats);
• tips from leading experts in the area; and
• the good old, power-packed Word of God.

I pray that this will inspire and empower you on your own goal-setting journey.

In a nutshell my plan has five steps:

1. Pray
2. Choose One Word
3. Set Goals
4. Envision it
5. Live it

Goal-Setting for Christians

Here are the details:

1. Pray

God has a plan and a purpose for each one of us. I’ve learned the hard way what it feels like to live outside of God’s plan and I certainly don’t want to go down that road again. So as I make plans for the year the first thing I aim to do is seek God’s will. I approach him in prayer fully expecting that He will lead and guide me.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV).

2. Choose One Word

It is usually during one of my intentional goal-setting prayer times that God gives me focus. I love having a word for the year to meditate on and guide me throughout the year. This past year my word was ENOUGH and God showed up time and time again to remind me that He is enough for me.

3. Set Goals

This is the real meat of the matter. And truly, goal-setting really isn’t as painful as we make it out to be, unless of course you’re trying to go it alone. When God is at the helm, you’ve prayed through His will for you and sought his direction, it makes all the difference. You can then step into your year with a sure foundation.

4. Envision it

Part of my goal-setting process for the past 3 years involved creating a Vision Board. I incorporate my One Word as well as images of my envisioned future.

A vision board is a powerful tool to keep you inspired throughout the year. One glance at your vision board reminds you of the journey you’re on and motivates you to keep going.

Even if you feel you’re not the creative type, having a visual of your goals will help. Consider what goal-setting guru Michael Hyatt does. He keeps a typed list of his goals framed and displayed in a prominent place. He’s convinced that doing this one thing makes him more productive by far. And we have to admit, he’s one pretty productive guy.

5. Live it