Last
week we took a look at the importance of setting
goals for the coming year. As we think of these
objectives, we might wonder what types of goals we
should be setting. This is something personal. To
set my goals I use a loose-leaf notebook with a
yearly calendar in it. I break the notebook into 12
categories. You may find that more or less works for
you. Think about what is important to you and set
out to attain it!
Let's
get started! Below are some helpful ideas:
~Spiritual
Goals~
This
section will help you focus on what you would like
to accomplish spiritually during the year. You might
want to include things like:
*Studying
the Bible more in depth
*Reading
through the Bible in a year
*Practice
the spiritual disciplines (prayer, fasting,
journaling, etc.)
*Learn
to be quiet and listen to God's voice and then do
what he says!
*Read
a certain Christian Book
*Develop
a certain character trait
*Work
on loving your neighbor as yourself
~Family
Goals~
In
this section you will focus on what you wish to
accomplish as a family. It may include character
traits you wish to instill in your children. You may
want to include things like:
*Work
on treating each other with respect
*Discuss
sexuality with my young teen
*Help
your teen prepare to get his license
*Work
on developing a closer relationship
*Help
teens become more independent and self-sufficient
*Train
teens in various practical living skills
*Continue
to develop Bible study skills
*Have
family devotions
*Strive
to eat supper together at least 5 times a week
You
may also want to break it down into separate goals
for each member of your family.
~Marriage
Goals~
This
section will help you focus on improving your
marriage relationship.
You
may want to include things such as:
*Work
on understanding my spouse better
*Read
2 marriage enrichment books this year
*Remember
to show respect and love
*Find
a counselor who can help with marital difficulties
(if needed)
*Plan
a "date night" at least once a month
*Pray
meaningful prayers for my spouse
~Personal
Goals~
This
section will help you focus on yourself. What goals
do you want to attain personally in the coming year?
Do you have hopes and dreams for your own future?
This is the place to write them down!
You
may want to include items such as:
*Take
a college class community college
*Learn
how to use the internet more efficiently
*Learn
how to design web sites
*Read
at least 3 books "just for fun"
*Make
one new friend
*Work
on living healthy - eating better, exercise, etc.
~Financial
Goals~
This
section will help you focus on making ends meet and
saving for the future. You may want to include items
such as:
*Stay
out of debt
*Tithe
regularly
*Work
on living more simply
*Begin
saving $40 per month in savings
*Eat
out only once a week to save money
*Work
out an investment plan
~Business
Goals~
This
is a section every WAHM will want to work on. You
many include items such as:
*Develop
a business plan for a new home business
*Research
new marketing techniques
*Read
at least one book on improving your home business
*Find
a new customer base
~Education
Goals~
Some
families homeschool, others have their teens attend
public or private day schools. Some have children in
college. This section will help you develop
educational goals for your family. You may include
items such as:
*Decide
whether homeschooling is right for your family
*Decide
on which school your teens should be attending
*Help
teens plan their schedule for next year
*Help
teens develop ideas of what careers they'd enjoy as
adults
*Look
into colleges and scholarships with older teens
*Develop
a savings plan for college
~House
Goals~
This
section will help you to put (and keep!) your house
in order. You may include items such as:
*Shampoo
Rugs
*Spring
Clean
*Paint
the Kitchen
*Clean
out closets & toss old clothes
*Read
a book on organization
*Have
house powerwashed & windows washed
*Keep
lawn mowed
After
you set your goals, put your notebook in a place
where it is readily available to you. You don't want
to just write the goals down and forget about them!
Throughout the year, make a special effort to get
out the goal notebook and review it and see how your
doing. If you need to work harder on certain
objectives, then make a note of it and work harder!
If you've accomplished a goal, check it off. If you
do this consistently, by the end of the year, you
will be amazed at how much you've accomplished and
will have the satisfaction of knowing that you did
indeed hit what you aimed for!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Patti
Chadwick is a freelance writer and creator of two
websites,
www.parentsandteens.com
and www.historyswomen.com
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by and sign up for her FREE newsletters!
