Setting Goals and Living with Purpose

Have you ever met people who live life passively? They don’t set any goals and live life as it comes along. They think it is unspiritual to set goals. They generally complain about things and expect others to make their life better. If you see them in a year or even three years from now, and their lives are largely the same. They let their circumstances determine their life rather than take control of it.

A person without goals in his life is like a ship without maps and a compass. He will drift aimlessly from day to day hoping to arrive at the nebulous port of ‘somewhere.’ His voyage through life will be left to chance. Without goals, life is uninteresting and without challenge.

In 1954 a survey was made of individuals graduating from Yale University. It was found that only 3% had definite written financial goals; 10% had a clear idea, but had not written it down; 87% had no idea of their goals.  20 years later, these Yale graduates were again interviewed. The 3% who had written goals were more successful and had made more money than all the rest combined.

At the beginning of this year, we need to determine to live our life with purpose. And the key is to set goals for our life. Zig Ziglar, the great motivational speaker said “You need a plan to build a house. To build a life, it is even more important to have a plan or goal.”

Apostle Paul mentions in Phil. 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.”

Paul was pressing on toward the goal. This was a deliberate decision of his heart. He was focussed and that kept him moving forward. It is no wonder that he had the time and discipline to write half of our New Testament and to travel to several places to preach the Word and plant new Churches.

Goals are decisions to action. Goals are maps which give the routes to distant ports in life. Goals help a person know where he is going and how he is going to get there. A goal is more than a dream; it is a dream being acted upon. It is more than an "Oh, I wish I could." A goal is a clear statement of "This is what I am going to do." Goals are not fanciful doubts; they are declarations of faith.

At the very start, we want to realign ourselves with the purpose of God for our lives. We begin this by seeking the face of the Lord. Our God is always moving forward. He wants his people to be pro-active and move on with Him.

So stop living life on an auto-pilot mode. Make specific measurable plans and live life purposefully. Look at the big picture, break goals down into smaller achievable portions and then evaluate it against a certain time-frame. Set goals in the context of the total person that God has made you to be. I suggest few areas for you to consider…

1. SPIRITUAL. What would you like to see accomplished with your walk with God? How about a 15-30 minute daily reading of God’s Word, personal worship and prayer? How about choosing to live Holy every day? How about sharing your testimony or the Gospel with at-least One Person a week? 
2. FAMILY. How about spending more time with your spouse and children?

Plan to forgive and reconcile with a family member.

Plan for a family vacation this year.

3. PHYSICAL. How about joining a Gym and getting healthier and in shape? Plan to eat right and taking care of your Body – which is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
4. PROFESSIONAL. Plan to learn a new skill or upgrade what you know. Excel in your work and pray for a promotion.
5. FINANCIAL. Plan to get out of debt and plan to save each month. Make wise financial investments. Plan to purchase a New House or a New Car this year.

All of us are gifted with One Life and each of us get an equal 24-hour day. Yet some achieve great things and make incredible contribution with their lives while others waste their lives away. Our goals give us laser focus as to what exactly to spend our time and energy on and thus create maximum reward.

 “You Are Never Too Old To Set Another Goal Or To Dream A New Dream”

– C S Lewis