Shaping good goals is critical to your success. Different than your usual goal setting techniques, like SMART goals, (which is great!) these tips have to do with navigating your inner world not your organized and structured self, but the part of you that needs to be motivated and resilient, because that’s where the obstacles to your goals lie. So, I invite you to shape your goals from the inside out with these seven, short coaching tips!
Goal-setting TIP 1 – Do what’s most important.
New Year’s resolutions rarely work – it’s a fact! Yet, we often don’t examine WHY we didn’t reach our goals. Most often it’s because something else was MORE IMPORTANT. Take a minute, right now, and think about what was more important, or got in the way of your last failed goal or resolution? Lots of times my exercise goals take a back seat to relationships, to my schedule, or to sleep. I confess, not everything that’s important to me is best for me!
When you align your goals with your TOP VALUES you add extra power to achieving your goal. You can find out what your top values are by taking my free VALUES ASSESSMENT and then aligning your goals with them. You’ll increase your odds of success AND learn which values shape your life.
HEBREWS 11:24-26, By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
Goal-setting TIP 2 – Grow your strengths.
Sometimes we get it backwards and spend too much time developing our weaknesses. This year as you look at setting goals try something different and play to your strengths. Start by identifying what you’re good at, or what feeds your soul, then set a goal to make that even better! This will elicit a positive motivation that will impact your mood, your happiness and your energy!
PSALM 139:14, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Goal-setting TIP 3 – Don’t goal alone.
Find someone who has the same goal as you do and goal together! Better yet, take the initiative with friends to have a group goal and link arms as you strive toward the finish line. The encouragement, accountability, and support of others is the secret sauce to fulfilling achievement.
ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10, Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
Goal-setting TIP 4 – Keep your eyes forward.
Keep the eyes of your heart focused on the prize. As you work daily to achieve your goal keep the long-view in mind. Keep a picture of your goal visible, or write a note to yourself about what it will mean to 
accomplish your goal and read it often, or set encouraging words or Scripture as reminders throughout your day. Do whatever works to keep your focus on the future while you live fully in the present!
PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14, Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Goal-setting TIP 5 – Take micro steps.
Smaller is better! Setting and achieving goals can make a huge difference in your life, but maybe setting goals for the entire year is way too overwhelming for you. So, if you’re just getting the hang of goal-setting start with ONE small goal today. You can build on that goal, or continue to master that goal for as long as you need to. A string of small achievements builds confidence and confidence sets up your tomorrow for more success!
ZECHARIAH 4:10, Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
Goal-setting TIP 6 – Allow yourself to fail.
Mishaps, speedbumps, and going off-course are going to happen, so allow yourself to fail. Expect the pitfalls, but don’t allow yourself to stay in the pit…get up! Each day is new, each minute gives you the choice and ability to proceed, so take it. It’s okay to adjust the plan and rewrite your timeline, because when you work around failure, he doesn’t win – you do!
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23, The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Goal-setting TIP 7 – Celebrate progress!
Whether you’ve set long-term or short-term goals be sure to celebrate PROGRESS. Progress is the real hero here, so let’s give her the floor and acknowledge how she’s been plugging away. Every day celebrate every choice that brings you closer to your goal. Celebrate your commitment, celebrate your motive, celebrate your resilience, and give glory to God who’s knee deep in the progress with you!
1 Corinthians 10:31, So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Types of Goals
You can set goals in about any area of your life. I’ve narrowed the type of goals I set in my life to these seven. It helps me to focus my growth. You don’t have to do them all, but I encourage you to choose at least one and give it a whirl.
ACADEMIC/LEARNING
You’ll never guess, but I got an electric drum kit for Christmas. Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous, but a bigger part of me reveled in it! This goal is WAY out of my comfort zone, but it’s aligned with my value of life-long learning and creativity AND carries a lot of excitement along with an added boost to my brain health.
WORK
Group Coaching will happen this year! I’m committed to making a difference in the difference makers and love the idea of doing this in community. Stay tuned!
FINANCIAL
Financial security is another one of my values and I’m striving this year to contribute to my retirement fund. Not so fun to put money away, but just plain wise… another value of mine.
PHYSICAL
I have been doing WW for the last couple months because I will be taking a trip to Costa Rica in February. I’m motivated to feel and look healthier and am pretty confident I can reach my goal… I’m less confident about maintaining it! To make lifestyle changes that impacts my chocolate chip cookie intake is the real challenge.
RECREATIONAL
Travel is always one of my fun goals. I mentioned that I’ll be going to Costa Rica, but Scott and I are also looking to take a rail trip through Germany during the Christmas season. Planning is just as fun too.
RELATIONAL
Overall, I’m praying for a pure heart in all my relationships this year and will work emotionally and spiritually toward that end. I am also part of a mentoring program, so I plan on investing in those relationships as well. Relationships take time and effort, but they are what all my values are geared toward.
SPIRITUAL
New this year will be me being mentored! I’m so excited about this because the focus will be living a life from ‘calm’ and will include several retreats with opportunities for solitude, silence and stillness. Obedience is my number one value and I’m expecting to get direction and know what God wants of me in 2019 through this type of spiritual work!
ZECHARIAH 4:6, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Here’s to a fabulous, unfettered 2019 – may all your dreams turn to goals that God shapes, drives and accomplishes through His Spirit!
As a Christian Life Coach, I can help you move from where you are to where God wants you to be. If you are interested in goal-setting, growing more as a disciple and/or expanding your emotional intelligence, then let’s chat. I’d love to be your champion in what God is calling you to do!
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