Goals That Work

So, its really no secret, I listen to a ton of podcast’s.

I used to listen to more, when i was doing the youth pastor thing, mainly because I had 45 minute commute everyday, there and then back.

But most recently I’ve been listening to Dave Ramsey’s podcast (the fiery Christian financialist) As a few of my goals this year is to save money, become more generous, and just over all become more fiscally/biblically responsible.

But as the New Year sets in, many of us are off, right out of the gates putting our goals into action.

The reality is, most of the goals will go to their grave in February. As the gyms are filled in January they will inevitably, as they are every year, be empty once again in February.

None of us want to be that person. All of us set these goals, to achieve and conquer them!

So the question is “How do we set goals in place that will actually work this year?” In one of Dave’s latest podcasts he gives us 5 things to set in place when thinking through our goals:

1. Specific: So for example if you’re saying, “I want to start a nonprofit.” ask yourself Whats the nonprofit for? Orphaned children? If so, what country? What area? What age group will you start with? How many children would you like to have reached out to by the end of the year? Who is the  demographic that you will be reaching out to be a part of the nonprofit? etc, etc, etc… Specify the details of your goals.
2. Measurable: So you just like me, want to save money this year and be fiscally responsible? How much money do you want to save? How much would you like to give? Maybe you want to read more books, how many books would you like to read by 2013? You want to lose weight how much weight? Making your goals measurable allows one to more easily see their results. Alongside making them specific therefore keeping one knowledgeable at what exactly their going for and after.
3. Yours: These have to be your ideas. Your goals. They can’t be your wife’s goals she’s forcing on you. They have to be something that you own, and you want to accomplish. Otherwise the motivation will fade (assuming it was ever there), and in place frustration will accumulate. If you want you goals to last they have to be yours.
4. Time limit: So you want to lose weight? How much weight do you want to lose? and by when? If you want to lose 360Lbs in one year (hopefully you’re not that big) But that means 36 pounds a month, 9 pounds a week, and over a pound a day. (again just using this to illustrate the point haha) creating a time limit keeps you accountable, and allows you to more easily accomplish being specific, and measurable.
5. Write it Down: Ramsey says it best, “If you don’t write it down it won’t work… It’s simple, keeping it in your head just won’t work.” Write it and set it as your desk top background. Take a sharpie to your bathroom mirror so every day you wake up you see it. Everyday before you go to bed you see it. It will then constantly be on your mind, and therefore constantly keep you accountable.

If you want your goals to still be alive and active by February follow through with these. It’s simple. It’s easy. And it’s obvious. I personally can’t wait until next year to see where all of us are at with the goals that we’re setting and putting into action now…

Is there anything missing form this list that I should add on?