I have always been a goal-setter, but not always a goal-achiever. It wasn’t for my lack of trying. It’s just that some goals didn’t work out. I would get so overwhelmed with trying to accomplish them that, like a lot of people, I gave up.
The goals that didn’t quite make it are those that took too long to see results. I would start thinking that I’m never going to achieve it, so I’d give in and eat that piece of cake. You know the goal I’m talking about. Milestones for these types of goals don’t come fast enough for me and without the markers, I lose motivation. You too? Good, I’m glad I’m not alone.
So, what’s the answer?
Do I stop setting goals? No! I am a firm believer in Proverbs 29:18 NASB, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained but happy is one who keeps the law.” Yes, I am taking a little leeway here. This doesn’t exactly include my goal to lose weight or to write a book. Or does it? If I don’t keep a vision of my future self as being healthy and strong, then I may become unrestrained, and give in to the temptations of chocolate and cookies. But if I keep my own self-imposed rules about eating, I will be happy with the results. Regarding my writing goals; if I don’t keep the vision alive of writing that book, I won’t do it. So maybe it does apply to our everyday life. I believe it does if our goals and dreams line up with God’s will.
Pray about it
I pray about everything. Even my inability to realize the plans I have set out for myself. I am constantly asking God for wisdom. Hopefully, he doesn’t get tired of my plea.
During the course of last year, through prayer, I learned some things about planning. I learned that I wasn’t breaking goals down into manageable steps. I thought I was, but the list of steps for each was really long, thus unmanageable. The steps either took an enormous amount of time or felt like they weren’t moving things along fast enough. I needed to get a better handle on them.
Businesses use quarterly plans
I started using a quarterly plan for my writing. As a result, I met more of my writing goals and feel very encouraged about my writing future. I even had my first article published, which was a goal that I had. With this in mind, during the 4th quarter of 2022, I thought this type of planning should also work for my personal life. And you know, I’m pleased with the milestones I have met toward my long-term goals.
What did I do?
I just took the yearlong goals and broke them down into quarterly steps. 90 days or roughly 12 weeks. Instead of thinking I want to lose X amount of weight in a year, I said I’m going to lose 10% of my current body weight in the next 90 days. It seemed more manageable and less overwhelming. I decided how I was going to go about it and that included going to the gym. For a 90-day period, I planned my gym times. 3 times a week for 12 weeks. I felt like this was doable, give or take a few interruptions to my new routine.
I continued to plan my writing in the same way. Also, some financial goals were met during the last quarter using this system. Other goals weren’t met but I did see progress! With those, I’m reviewing, revising, and adding them to the next 90 days. One thing I did not finish was reading my entire Bible in 2022, which is something I strive for, and usually meet every year. Instead of throwing in the towel, I’ll just keep going from where I’m at and finish it during the 1st quarter of 2023 (or sooner.) It’s okay, I’m not beating myself up over it. It would be silly to start reading a novel all over again because I didn’t finish it by my self-imposed deadline, so why stop reading the bible? Just saying.
Give it a try
Do you have aspirations, yet have a hard time seeing them come to pass? Give this 90-day plan a try. What have you got to lose? If at the end of 90 days, you don’t see any progress then you still have three-quarters of the year left to try something else. Try to consistently go to the gym for 90 days. See if you feel better about yourself just for trying! Set whatever goals you want, and break them down by thinking about the steps it takes to get there. What can be done in the first 30 days, then the next 30, then the next? I have a lot of plans for the next year. This isn’t all but, finishing my book is one of them. Decluttering my house is another. And the never-ending lose weight (which I have revised to healthy and strong) is definitely in my plans.
Because I want to see you be successful too, I have created a simple PDF for you to use. You can download it by clicking here: 90-Day Plan.
Here’s to the next quarter! Let’s get some stuff done this year. Tell me in the comments what you are working towards. By sharing you may be inspiring someone else.
Happy New Year!
