Godly Goal Setting and Getting!!!

So, you're ready to create your goals and set your intentions for 2021? Well, you came to the right place! But we're not just going to set our goals and forget about them, we are going to Godly goal set and make a plan to Go Get! Godly goal setting is just like regular goal setting except, there's an added element of infusing God and your faith into the process. I consider myself to be a person with BIG DREAMS. I have those walk on water, slay Goliath, inspire haters as I walk around in my one-of-a-kind, never seen before, luxury coat of many colors - type of dreams. But previously, if I would experience hiccups and holdups while walking out said dreams it would completely knock me down. Then I would be left sinking, listening to the doubts of others or just stuck in a deep pit that I had no way of getting out of.  After repeating the same cycle, it dawned on me that I hadn't invited God into my process, and I was allowing fear to guide me instead of faith. For so long I would brain dump my fleshly desires into the first journal I found. Never considering what God wanted for my life. He created me, knows my purpose, wants me to release my potential and fulfill His will for my life; so why not ask Him to help me achieve my goals and walk out His will? I also had to check my faith. Allowing fear to hinder me at every difficulty made me realize my faith cannot begin unless the limitations end. Meaning, I can't have walk on water dreams, then only stand or swim in it. Nor can I refuse to get out the boat when I'm called to walk. So, I learned I had to incorporate God into my goal setting, push my fears to the side and let faith guide me. Listed below is my 10-step process to help you do the same. 

Step 1. Take time to think about what you would want to accomplish if you had no limitations? If limitations (including time and money) are no longer an issue so what would you want to do to make this year your most prosperous?

Step 2. Choose the areas of your life that you want to focus on. Often, we don’t know where to start. So, I consider these 6 categories: Self, Finances, Spirituality/Faith, Relationships, Health/Wellness, Business/Career. Ask the holy spirit to help you determine which of these categories should be your top priorities and go from there. 

Step 3. Pray for your goals. As I mentioned before God wants you to release your full potential and to fulfill His will for your life, so why not talk to him about it? The bible tells us in Proverbs 16:3 that if we commit our actions to the Lord, our plans will succeed. So why not consult him for a fool proof plan? It's also important that we talk with God, because the Bible tells us in Proverbs 16:9 that "we can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." You may have a big dream, but this may not be the year or the season to focus on it. So, in order to not waste your time, ask God about what he wants for you to do in 2021. 

Step 4. Step an alarm for 3-5 minutes. Write out 7-10 goals (2 or 3 from each chosen category). Make sure you use the timer to write your goals down quickly. It will help you not to overthink them or talk yourself out of them. 

Step 5. Make some Faithffirmations. Combine your goal and scripture to write a specific, present tense faith-filled affirmation. 

Step 6. Create a vision board. Now it’s time to use pictures to help you visualize and bring your goals to life. I like to use a real canvas that I can hang up in my bedroom but whatever material you have lying around is good!

Step 7. Write out your SMART action plan. James 2:14 asks us "What good is it, if we say we have faith but don’t show it in our actions?" So, we must create a Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-based action plan to help us obtain our goals. Pray first for Gods divine knowledge then begin. But keep in mind that this part can be a bit tedious. But remember goals without plans are dreams and dreams are hard to remember when you wake up.

Step 8. Write out your why. Why you are doing this, what motivates you and words or quotes that encourage you. Write them on pieces of paper and pull them out every time you need some encouragement. When I need encouragement, I often reference the brilliant words of Marianne Williamson. In her poem entitled "Our Deepest Fear", she states "We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of Go. Your playing small does not serve the world." Her words give me the jolt I need to get back on track and remember I am the daughter of THEE MOST HIGH, I descend from royalty, I am the victor and that my temporary pain will turn into a great gain. 

Step 9. Find an accountability partner. Someone that will hold you to your goal deadlines. My pastors are phenomenal and always hold me accountable when I ask them to.

Step 10. Do a goal check. Set alarms in your phone to check in on your progress. I usually do them quarterly so I can adjust my goals and action plan according to what I have or have not accomplished. 

I know this was a lot of steps, but I believe they will truly help you to Godly goal set and get! But I do want to leave you with these last 2 things. First remember to take a break. Make sure you incorporate relaxation and selfcare into your routine. It’s important to accomplish your goals but, it is even more important to live life and celebrate yourself along the way. 

Lastly, I know the process is long, hard and exhausting but Don't Quit. You're too legit! Too legit to quit! Heyy Heyyyyy. No seriously. This is not the time for you to be playing small. Your impact is too important. Your playing small or calling it quits isn't helpful to anyone or serving the world. But it will hinder those that you were meant to inspire and uplift along the way. Whenever I think about quitting, I am reminded of the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes. It says "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load, Or does it explode?" His words remind me that I never want to feel the sore or the stink of giving up on my dreams. That is a burden far too heavy for me to carry so even when it gets though, I force myself to push through. 

Until Next Time

Faithphilly Yours,

Amanda Christine