7 Steps to Help You Complete Your Goals
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Habakkuk 2:2). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
Setting goals is an essential part of our everyday life and a feeling of accomplishment. However, many of us find it difficult to achieve and complete this endeavor. Why is that?
Many times, feelings of the fear of failure, laziness, or procrastination can creep in and hinder us from reaching or even planning our goals. Whatever the cause, there is hope to set your goals and complete them.
7 Steps to Help You Complete Your Goals
1. Pray for guidance, endurance, and perseverance.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Philippians 4:6).
You should begin any adventure first with prayer. Why? Because if you believe God is in control of your life, seeking Him for guidance will designate the correct path you should follow and help you stay the course.
2. Set achievable and realistic goals.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Proverbs 3:5–6).
Often, when people first sets a goal, they hear the gunshot from the starting line and they are off and running full force. This approach is not wise. As any runner will tell you, there is a pace that you must plan for to crossing the finish line.
When you set a goal, make sure it is an achievable and realistic goal for you! What has worked for others might not work for you.
An example of this could be, you plan to start a diet tomorrow. You say, “I want to lose 15 pounds within the first week. ” Although this is possible, it may not be a realistic goal for you. Why is this important?
Setting unachievable and unrealistic goals leads to a sense of failure, discouragement, burnout, and disappointment. When these emotions take over, you can see your goals quickly fade in the distance.
Start small. Set a reasonable goal. If you were to say, “I want to lose 2 pounds within the first week,” and you lose 5 pounds, you have exceeded your set goal and you feel elated by your accomplishment. This boosts your drive and encourages you to continue on your journey.
3. Plan out your goals.
The LORD directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Psalms 37:23–24).
Strategizing your plan is imperative to reaching your goal. You must have a course of action and a vision to begin.
- Write your goals in specific detail. Use charts, journals, grafts, or whatever utilities help you in the planning and brainstorming process.
- Plan a budget for all expenses.
- Have an accountability buddy to help you stay encouraged, motivated, and accountable.
- Set a deadline for the goal to be completed. Ex. 3, 6, 12 months. This also allows for accountability.
- Post your plan where you can see and visualize it for a daily motivation and drive.
- Share your plan with others that you trust and will help support and encourage you. This to allows for accountability, encouragement, and drive.
4. Gather your resources before you begin.
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?”
Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Luke 14:28).
Have all your resources gathered and ready before you begin. This will help in the long run and could prevent any obstacles that you may encounter along the way.
5. Expect roadblock, detours, and obstacles.
“If we didn’t have obstacles to overcome & never faced impossible situations, we wouldn’t see the greatness of God’s power.”
Joel Osteen
Always allow for the unexpected on your journey towards your goal. Things can spring up out of nowhere and can cause a snag in your plan. Therefore, you should always plan for the unexpected.
When you are budgeting your plan, put aside some extra expenses and materials so the roadblocks, detours, and obstacles won’t surprise you.
6. Don’t compare yourself to what others have accomplished.
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Galatians 6:4).
Be careful not to compare yourself to what you have seen others accomplish with the same goal you are setting. Keep in mind that their journey differs from what yours will be.
If you have done research at others that have completed the same goal you are planning for and say, “That looks easy. I can do that,” don’t be ignorant that their plan will work for you.
Make your plan unique to fit for your goal, budget, and vision. Don’t be a copycat. Be an original!
7. Stay focused. Keep your eye on the prize.
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Philippians 3:14).
On your journey to finish the race and complete your goal, rest assure, you will face obstacles along the way. However, planning for and expecting these to arise will make the struggle less cumbersome.
Listen for God’s voice and guidance on your journey. Remember, He orders your steps and has a plan and purpose for your life. Trust in Him. Rely on Him. Rest in Him when your journey becomes wearisome.
Don’t focus on how big your obstacles are. Focus on how big your God is.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
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