The beginning of the new year is a good opportunity to set fresh goals. I prefer to set goals instead of resolutions because it is more likely that I will accomplish them if I make them S.M.A.R.T. goals. The acronym stands for:
Specific – it answers who, what, which, where, when or why
Measurable – it answers how much or how many
Attainable – the goal stretches and challenges, but is within the ability to achieve
Relevant – the goal is worthy of your efforts
Timely – it can be given a time-table
General resolutions or goals often are vague and difficult to know when you have success: “I want to read more” or “I want exercise more”. More than what? More than before, but how much did I exercise or read before?
Using the example of reading more, you could make a S.M.A.R.T goal, “I want to read one non-fiction book relating to my work every month by reading one chapter every day”.
Specific: what = read one non-fiction book per month
Measurable: one chapter each day/one book each month
Attainable: one chapter each day takes between 15-40 minutes depending upon the length of the chapter
Relevant – work related
Timely – one book per month, 12 books per year
You may make S.M.A.R.T goals for your personal growth, family life, spiritual growth, finances, health, and ministry. A key to successful S.M.A.R.T goals is writing them down and sharing your goals with a friend who will encourage your journey.
Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither--
whatever they do prospers.
Happy New Year!
Specific – it answers who, what, which, where, when or why
Measurable – it answers how much or how many
Attainable – the goal stretches and challenges, but is within the ability to achieve
Relevant – the goal is worthy of your efforts
Timely – it can be given a time-table
General resolutions or goals often are vague and difficult to know when you have success: “I want to read more” or “I want exercise more”. More than what? More than before, but how much did I exercise or read before?
Using the example of reading more, you could make a S.M.A.R.T goal, “I want to read one non-fiction book relating to my work every month by reading one chapter every day”.
Specific: what = read one non-fiction book per month
Measurable: one chapter each day/one book each month
Attainable: one chapter each day takes between 15-40 minutes depending upon the length of the chapter
Relevant – work related
Timely – one book per month, 12 books per year
You may make S.M.A.R.T goals for your personal growth, family life, spiritual growth, finances, health, and ministry. A key to successful S.M.A.R.T goals is writing them down and sharing your goals with a friend who will encourage your journey.
Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither--
whatever they do prospers.
Happy New Year!
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