Now that you have done some reflection on what biblical goals might look like, we can look at how to set goals for yourself. This devotional will guide you through four steps to goal setting and will incorporate how to make your goals reflective of what the Bible teaches us.
The first step to setting any goal is to define what your goal is. Ask yourself, What is it that I want to see or achieve? Be detailed and specific. Here is where you should cross-check your goal with biblical values. Does your goal reflect the values and morals of the Bible?
There are lots of helpful frameworks for setting criteria to help you achieve your goals. SMART criteria are what we will look at briefly to outline how to set criteria for your goals.
- Specific: Ensure your goals are clearly defined and are easy for you to understand.
- Measurable: Incorporate a way to measure your progress. For goals that aren’t already easy to measure based on a built-in quantitative or qualitative measurement, think about using frequency, length or consistency.
- Attainable: Are your goals realistic and would you be able to achieve them by putting in effort?
- Relevant: Make sure your goals align with your worldview and values. This is where you can check that your goals are reflective of a biblical worldview and value system.
- Timely: Give yourself a deadline for achieving these goals.
Using good goal-setting criteria will help you create a clear plan of action. To develop an action plan, break down your larger goal into smaller or simpler tasks. Set up a timeline or an intended schedule for when or how often you will need to complete your tasks. Your action plan is also where you will identify potential challenges and the kinds of resources you might need to complete your tasks.
Make sure you are constantly evaluating your progress. Use tools like your SMART criteria, different timelines, or benchmarks that you have set for yourself to gain a better understanding of where you are at. After you evaluate and reflect on how you are doing, make some adjustments or changes as needed.
Remember to be patient, humble and faithful. You may fail or lose progress, but that is all a normal part of being human. Accept help from God and others during your journey and stay committed to furthering your growth even as it becomes challenging.
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