Introduction

If you are like me, you strive to manage your time wisely without a wasted minute in the day. You hope to balance work, hobbies, and self-care to maintain your sanity. I have always struggled to stick with a schedule and complete every task on my to-do list. Even worse, I started every new year with a list of goals and expectations that I never seemed to meet. Well, today, I wanted to share with you the goal-setting strategy that works, whether you are creating daily, weekly, monthly, or goals for the year. This is a helpful strategy on how to create attainable goals.

Step 1—be picky

The first step to create attainable goals is to be picky with which goals you pursue. Make sure to ask God where your focus should be, what His plan is for this year, and how your goals can match that. If you would like to read more about God-honoring goals, click here.

Step 2—break it down

 The second step to create attainable goals is to break them down. Ask yourself, “what resources do I need to achieve my goal?” If you want to be a better cook, you can start by taking a cooking class.

1. What resources do I need to achieve my goal?
2. How do I attain those resources?

Step 3–Create measurable goals.

The next step to doable goals is to ask yourself “at what point would I complete this goal?” sticking with the cooking example, the answer to this question could be to learn five dishes.

1. How will I know I completed this goal?

Step 4–Setting physically doable goals 

You will also need to be wary of setting expectations that are over your head in order to create attainable goals. Ask yourself if achieving this goal is possible mentally, financially, and physically. Instead of studying in Paris for those cooking classes, try cooking classes near me. This tip might be an obvious factor, but sometimes it’s that obvious.

1. What is physically doable?
2. What monetary abilities to I need to complete this?
3. How much energy will this require? Do I have the time/effort/energy?

Step 5–Time-bound goals

Ensure that your aspirations are bound to a date and time to create attainable goals. For the cooking example, you could even go ahead and schedule those cooking classes. If not, schedule time in your day or week to practice your skill. Tying your goal to a date and time will help to keep you accountable.

1. When will I do this?  

In Closing

             A very similar system to the one above is the SMART goals strategy. If you would like to learn more about that, click here. Anyway, setting achievable goals is hard; however, putting time and effort into the planning and choosing of your goals will give you a considerable advantage. While probability says you will not complete everything you set out to do, don’t let that stop you from trying your best, achieving at least the majority of your goals, and becoming a better person because of it. No matter what you get done or don’t get done, at the end of the day, your identity is in God and not in your works.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

The Bible also says to do all things for God’s glory through His strength. God will give you the power you need to achieve your goals. All you have to do is ask.

“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:11

If you would like to read more about choosing God-honoring goals, click here.

Until we meet again,

-Alycia