Goal Setting Part 7: The "What" of Goal Setting

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Last time, I suggested working backwards from the desired goal as a planning tool. I mentioned that when you work backwards from the finish line in your planning, you are likely to see new information about steps you need to take or differences in the amount of time that you originally thought you needed to complete your goal. In keeping with that thought, while we’re planning the steps for HOW to achieve this goal, we have consider WHAT we need in order to successfully complete it.  The WHAT doesn’t refer only to things.  It can also relate to people or skill sets and what’s necessary to secure those resources. 

For example, let’s say that you have a goal to achieve a formal certification in project management.  You may determine that you need additional information on risk management in order to pass the certification exam.  You might determine that only a class in risk management will provide sufficient knowledge.  In that case, the resource you need is a greater knowledge of risk management.  Now you need to decide how best to receive that additional knowledge.  Will it be a night class over 6 weeks?  Will you do an online course at your own pace?  Do you prefer a traditional classroom with real time interaction between students and professor?  How much will you be able to spend on acquiring this knowledge? Will you need to acquire financial aid if you take a college class?  If you take a traditional class that’s conducted at night, will you need childcare on those evenings?  Who will provide that? How much will that childcare cost?  Are there other options for gaining this desired knowledge?

At first glance, this can seem overwhelming. It may seem that if you pull one string (question) it will unravel the whole ball of yarn.  In essence, you do want it to unravel.  You need to examine this process piece by piece in order to plan accordingly. Too often, people fall victim to their own lack of thorough planning when it comes to their goals.  If you don’t think through WHAT you need before you begin, you most likely will reach a point during your journey where you have to stop and do it at a later time.  For example, it may be that you need another person who’s a resource to help you out.  If you neglect to secure him during the planning, now you may have to wait until he can work you into his schedule to help you with this piece of your journey.  If that happens, you can end up postponing action towards your goal.

If you do have to stop your journey due to poor initial planning, it’s even tougher for you to get going again once the resource has finally been secured.  People tend to lose momentum and become frustrated when they have to do planning like that in the heat of battle.  You need your strategy and your ammunition before you enter the battle field. You need to bring all the artillery you need in order to win with you when you show up for the battle.  The best way to do that is to think through all the things you need for survival before you even begin the journey.

-Stephanie Baker

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Decently and In Order

Let everything be done decently and in order. I Corinthians 14:40 KJV

Why is it important to do things in an orderly way? Paul wanted the Corinthian's church services to be ones of order and decency...something apparently the Corinthians were straying away from. His exhortation applies well to everyday life too. We don't have to be rigid or perfect, but decent, and orderly, helps us be less stressful, allows us to be more reliable, and lets us serve others more easily.

How has being organized help you live a more peaceful life?

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Getting Organized is Aided by Workable Systems

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I Chronicles 28:11 After David finished speaking, he gave Solomon the plans for building the main rooms of the temple, including the porch, the storerooms, the rooms upstairs and downstairs, as well as the most holy place.

When Audrey gets home, she immediately puts the mail on a corner of her desk, removes receipts from her wallet, puts loose change in a collection jar, checks to see if she still has a good supply of tissues, gum, hand sanitizer and other personal items, and hangs her purse on a hook. This system usually takes her less than five minutes, but she has found it extremely helpful during the morning rush to get out the door. And, she is always thankful during the day to have everything she needs well-supplied and orderly.

In the verse above, we see that David laid out specific plans for specific rooms of the temple. He seems to be very organized and intentional about how the rooms would be laid out and used. Notice the verse even points out rooms that may be considered less important (porch, storerooms.)

It's the same way in your home. Each room has a purpose and there are systems that can be created and utilized within that room. Pick a room and think about what its main purpose is. Then, think about the traffic pattern in the room. Brainstorm what you might need and can implement for making that room (or common area) work more efficiently.

God demonstrates order throughout the Bible. In some places, He was very specific. In others it feels like a more general plan to move people through history. All in all though, we see a God who does things with a purpose and with intentionality. Creation exhibits systems and cycles--sometimes elaborate ones--that show they were not just haphazardly thrown together. With His help, you can design systems that reflect Him in your home.

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