Well, New Year's Day has come and gone, and we find ourselves looking back at 2024 and forward into the current year. What does it hold in store for us--individually and collectively?
A new year is a time for assessing the past year, basking in our accomplishments and ruing what we didn't accomplish. It's also a time for setting new goals, things we'd like to accomplish in the days ahead.
Proper goalsetting involves several distinct steps and principles. First, all of the goals we set must be attainable; they can't be "pie in the sky," unachievable wishes. They must be realistic, reasonable, doable.
Second, one must set deadlines for as many of the goals as one can. Without a deadline, they might never get done because we tend to procrastinate, especially if the goal involves some distasteful effort by us.
Third, try to categorize your goals. For example, at the start of every year I organize my goals into the following groups: personal goals, professional goals, and domestic goals.
Fourth, check off the goals as you achieve them. Seeing that your goals are getting done motivates you to continue working to accomplish those that are yet unachieved. One step (goal) at a time.
Fifth, review your goals periodically to assess how you're doing. This step is like giving yourself a progress report or grade card at regular intervals to let you know how you're doing. Sometimes you might need to revise or add to your goals lists, depending on your progress level. At other times, you might realize that you need to give yourself a good kick in the seat to get moving on those target goals.
Each of us has only a limited amount of time in which to do the things we want or need to do. Although each of us theoretically has 365 days in this new year (technically, since we're already nearly three days into the new year, we now have only 362 days!), no one knows precisely how much time he has left. In Psalm 90:12, Moses prayed, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." That prayer should motivate us to use our time wisely.
As we advance in this new year, may we all be aware of our limited time on this earth and exert the efforts required to do all that we should be doing to achieve our goals. But first we must ensure that the goals we set are worthy goals, goals that will improve ourselves, help others, and glorify the God who made us for work.
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