New Year’s Chazown 3 (of 5)
Goals
In Chazown, I also wrote on goals. Here is part of the material on goal setting:
First, a good goal is specific. Don’t just say, “I’m going to get into great shape.” That’s a good idea, but it doesn’t tell you what to do Tuesday morning at 6:30. Better to say, “I’m going to lose ten pounds.” Or “I’m going to go from size 14 to size 10.” Or “I just want to jog a mile without dying.”
And put a time frame on it. “I will lose ten pounds by May 31.”
Second, a good goal is attainable. If I said, “I will be an opera singer by year end,” it’s not going to happen. Mainly because I don’t like opera. But even if I did, no amount of training would get me there. For me to sing well would rival the miracle of the resurrection.
If you have two car payments, credit card balances through the roof, first and second mortgages on your home, and a student loan, and you’re resorting to pawning your kids’ Legos, an attainable goal is not “I’ll be debt-free by Friday.” But you might be able to pay off one credit card in three months. How? That decision is up to you. Maybe you will stop eating out or cut cable television.
You can do it. If you keep your goals within reach.
And third, a good goal is written. Writing a goal is the first level of accountability. You would not believe the difference in outcomes between a written and an unwritten goal.
The Harvard graduating class of 1953 was surveyed to find how many students had written goals. Three percent. That’s right, only three out of one hundred had put pen to paper.
Thirty years later, those same three percent had accumulated over ninety percent of the wealth of the entire graduating class.
That’s the power of a written goal. Now turn that same power toward God’s chazown for your life. Just think what a few words in black and white can do.
What are you going to do in 2008?
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Good thoughts on all the above - thanks! Only thing that tweaks me is that the story of the Harvard study appears to be untrue. I looked it up to find out more, and it might be completely made up, sometimes it references a Yale study in the same year that never happened, or it might be inspired by a similar type of survey t Harvard that took in lots of factors and not just written goals.
So my questions would be: if the anecdote cited is not accurate, does that taint the truthfulness of what you’ve posted? I don’t think so - is truth more encompassing somehow than facts? Having aid that, is there another more accurate reason for bulletpoint 3?
Thanks!
I have many goals for this year and I have written them down :) However, the biggest goal that I’m working on so that it’ll become a habit is to DRINK MORE WATER. That’s right. Simple, maybe, but I really can’t stand the stuff…unless it’s mixed in with Diet Dr. Pepper or unless I’m on the elliptical. Oh, and the stipulation to help me fulfill this goal/habit is that I can’t have one of those DDP’s until I’ve fulfilled my water quota for the day.
There, now everyone knows and can bust me at any time :)
The Harvard grads put aside, writing a goal makes you think it through. To write it you have to make it more specific as you consider how to put it to words. It also makes you more realistic about how attainable it can be.
The problem that most people have (myself included ;) is that they throw out a goal like “I’m going to lose 50 lbs this year” and never plan out how to get there. Just joining a health club is not enough of a plan unless you plan on how to use the membership, and what are the goal markers to reach for steps along the way. Writing it down makes me consider how to get from A to B, and will it be realistic to believe that it can work with all of the other responsibilities that I have to accomplish.
For every unverifiable Harvard Grad story you can easily find others that are true. If you read some business books about top business moguls, you can see how many of them had written plans. Even a bank won’t loan you money for a business without a plan to show them. The trick is seeing what is realistic verses writing what you hope you can accomplish.
That being said, a vision from God is always attainable. Just writing that vision down will show you his power when it becomes a success!
Craig - thanks for the post! I will be working out my plans before the end of the week - and putting them on paper!
This post trigged a memory I had forgotten all about!!! In 1994, I taped my top 5 life goals to my bathroom mirror to glance upon every morning and night for motivation. I admit… most, if not all of these goals were completely self-centered (I was in my early 20’s)… regardless, I JUST realized, I have accomplished ALL of them. Wow! I guess it is time to create another list for the mirror. Thanks Craig for the memory zap!
In 2008, I WILL immerse myself in God’s word and learn, I WILL invite as many people as I can to come and “check out” who God is, I WILL be healthy spiritually and physically, I WILL make the most of the resources God has given me, I WILL tap into my creativity and grow my photography business, I WILL enjoy my life and the people God has placed in it, I WILL be INTENSIONAL!
My goals are going to involve quitting things. Things I like but which keep me from THE goal. Things I have done for years because I and others expect me to do them.
I am going to be a quitter.
Rick, Thanks for pointing out that the story is not true. I have read it in so many different places that I assumed it was. So much for assuming.
Cindy, I’ll pass you on the way to the bathroom! :)
PR, Thanks for the comment. Amy and I spent some time last night writing our goals for the year. It is rare that we accomplish an UNwritten goal and rare that we don’t accomplish one that is written. Blessings on your plans for 08!
Jenn, More power to you!
Dave, Interesting thought. Hope you quit well!
I so just stole this idea and did my own New’s Year chazown on my own blog…thanks for the idea!
I also just ordered the book…after reading this series of posts so far, my curiousity is piqued, and I want to read it all.
Thanks again for your thought provoking posts…”Iron sharpens iron” and the ‘Net makes it easier to find that all the time.
Good stuff! I definitely need to write goals down. Writing goals down also allows me to be intentional about how I manage my time. I am actively involved in ministry, and one of my goals is to study and pray every morning, and getting up earlier. I think the last one is toughest. Blessings to you all!
I think another thing that would help is posting these goals in more places that you will get to see more often.
Such as:
- Posting them on a sticky note on your dashboard or desktop.
- Framing them up somewhere in your office. On your desk or something.
- Putting them on your bathroom mirror. (Like, your wife would really let you do that…I am not to sure if I’d be able to swing that one!)
- On your smartphone home screen.
I would really just think about some places you see on a daily basis to keep more focused on the goals/vision.
Thanks again for posting, Craig - I think it’s spot on, with or without the “Harvard study”. I know I’m more apt to get my own daily to-do list done if I’ve taken the time to write everything down first.
Writing it down is essential…I learned that last year…I needed to lose some weight so I decided to blog my journey every Wednesday. Nothing like putting your weight online and knowing that number better drop some by the next week. Over the course of a year, 37 pounds disappeared and it’s stayed off for the last six months!
Now I need to figure out what’s next! Thank you for the reminder!
I’m going to become an astronaut. Sike. I’m going to lose 15 pounds by my wife’s birthday in March. Surprise! I’m skinny!
Rob, Glad you could use the idea. Hope you enjoy the book.
Bryon, I’m getting up earlier too. Ouch.
Boyd, Great idea. Thanks!
Rick, Glad it is helpful.
Anne, Amazing!
Scott, If you do become an astronaut, you’ll be a thin one!
I’ll start with the three things that I noted yesterday:
1. Serving - join a ministry team by end of January
2. Develop home budget with goals of:
a. paying off the vanborghini (wife likes that better than minivan) by years end.
b. increase giving
3. Improve fitness by actually using gym membership minimum of 3 days a week with goal of losing 15 pounds by June 08. Just put it on the work calendar.
*We are still writing family goals!
*We met this morning and wrote down clear campus/team goals & objectives!
*I am going to blog some of my personal goals; especially weight/exercise. The more accountability the better!
The New Year is always a fresh time to be reminded of our Chazown! Thanks for the post, i am looking forward to 08′!
my 2008 goals are. like Cindy to drink more water, finish the 2008 okc memorial marathon with my husband next to me, and stay closer to my friends than in the past - and of course to grow in my relationship with Jesus and show His amazing love to every one i meet and know
#1 I’m going to get a job in ministry
#2 It is attainable
#3 I’m writing it down here :)
What I’m Doing in 2008:
1. Growing in my faith, love, hunger and identity in Jesus Christ until I gain a deeper burden for His Word and the lost.
2. Launching a few Bible Talks on my college campus and at my apartment complex.
3. I’m a Finance major @ GSU, so I want this year to be very productive in pursuing my major.
4. I am buying an iPhone for my birthday this month. My cellphone is practically broke and my iPod broke a few months ago, so I figured, why not just get both @ the same time and be through with it.
5. I plan to attend the Catalyst Conference this October.
6. I will be working closely with the New Birth Outlet College Ministry in Atlanta, GA (Bishop Eddie L. Long - Senior Pastor) this semester to really impact the college campuses in more creative and innovative ways.
I read “going all the way” yesterday (yes the whole book) and I’m committing this year to doing an AM devotional with my wife daily. BTW, Good Book. Glad I got it from the blog give away and I’m going to use many of the packaging and idea for my Youth Group’s series on relationship. Thanks for the inspiration.
Bill, Great goals! I pray you achieve them all and more!
Scott, Glad to hear you are working with your campus on goals.
Misti, A marathon… wow!
Kevin, I’ll be excited to celebrate your new ministry role with you soon!
Antwon, Hope to see you at Catalyst. (I just received a Christmas card from your pastor today.) Blessings.
Dan, Glad the book will help your ministry!
i am just posting back on here that i finished my goal of running my first marathon today here in OKC - i remeber posting it here- so i just wanted to say I DID IT!!:-)God is soooo good!!!
Misti, WAY TO GO!!!
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