Don’t wait for perfect conditions to get started on your 2014 plan. Do it now! Those three simple little words will change your life. Do it now – “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Eccl. 11:4 (NLT) As 2014 begins you will still have imperfect conditions in your life, so why not get a head start over the next 2 weeks and get going now! Don’t wait for that perfect day to get started, perfectionism leads to procrastination and procrastination will keep you from living your life as the masterpiece God created you to be.
Hopefully you have already developed and written a plan for 2014 (Read Life Palette blog from Monday for help in this area) and hopefully you have taken the 4 steps to give your 2014 plan clarity (read Life Palette blog from Tuesday to clarify your plan). With your 2014 plan written and given some clarity now it’s time to set some goals. Surveys reveal that only about 5% of people in America write out their goals – surveys also reveal that those 5% are the top wage earners in our culture. There is a connection, it’s simple, they have vision as a part of their Life Palette, they know where they are headed, and what they want.
Are you motivated? Are you ready to get your goals down on paper? Don’t get distracted, do it now. You are created as God’s masterpiece therefore it’s important that your goals are in line with His. Here are some good guide lines for setting your personal goal in 2014 from Jesus’ life: “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and favor with man.” (Luke 2:52 NIV) Notice the four areas that Jesus grew in:
1. He Grew In Wisdom – That’s Intellectual Growth
2. Stature – That’s Physical Growth
3. Favor With God – That’s Spiritual Growth
4. Favor With Man – That Relational Growth
While you may have a professional goal that you are making a part of your plan, begin by setting a goal in these four personal areas, they will add value to everything you do in your professional life as well. As you set goals in these 4 areas make sure each one is a S.M.A.R.T. goal.
S.M.A.R.T. GOALS:
S. Specific
State exactly what you want to accomplish (who, what, where, and why).
M. Measurable
How will you demonstrate and evaluate the extent to which the goal has been met?
A. Attainable
Stretch and challenging goals within ability to achieve outcome. What is the action-oriented verb?
R. Relevant
How does the goal tie into your key responsibilities? How is it aligned to objectives?
T. Time Bound
Set one or more target dates, the “by when” to guide your goal to successful and timely completion (include deadlines, dates and frequency).
Next Steps To Get Started On 2014:
Use the S.M.A.R.T. goals guidelines and develop goals to help you live your 2014 plan, be sure to consider the 4 areas above that you see in Jesus life.
