Once a person is clear on what needs to change in their lives and why it is then appropriate to begin the process of taking the necessary steps to make it happen. The necessary steps often begin with setting concrete goals and at some point, developing action steps aligned with those goals. However, action steps are secondary. Your Dictionary defines goal setting as “the process of identifying something that you want to accomplish and establishing measurable goals and timeframes.” Goal setting is something that is occasionally thought about, but very few people take the time to write down clear and concrete goals in the most important areas of life. Those who are intentional about this often end up having a significant impact on their families, communities, organizations and the world around them.
Goal setting can be a fun and rewarding process. It can also lead to personal fulfillment and living a life filled with purpose and meaning. The process should begin after you have a clear understanding of your current state and behavior. This allows you to consider where the developmental opportunities are and it often provides an incentive to change. In setting goals, begin by considering areas of life such as family/home, financial/career, mental/educational, physical/health, social/cultural and spiritual/ethical. Evaluate where you stand in each area by rating your current well-being or satisfaction in each area from 1 to 10. This should serve to give you an idea of where opportunities are to improve. Prioritize the areas or opportunities that you have identified and set a few goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound). I encourage you to set goals related to becoming and not just having more. Setting goals that are meaningful and relevant to you is a huge step in improving your personal productivity, leadership effectiveness and overall satisfaction with the life that God has given you.
