Happy New Year, friends! ‘Tis the season to set goals and make plans.
Goals and planners and calendars, oh my!
I have to say that I’m not a goal setter by nature. I like the feeling of accomplishment but it’s hard for me to set goals. I get a little overwhelmed, a little cagey. I mean, what if I set the wrong ones? What if I go off in the wrong direction and waste time on the wrong things?
My husband Mart is a master goal-setter. He has developed his own system. Around New Year’s every year, he spends a couple of hours with what he calls his personal constitution, a document that outlines his priorities in each area of his life, such as spiritual, relational, vocational, financial, physical, etc.
Through the years, he has done the work to think through what his priorities are and then sets goals that fit in those categories. Then, every Sunday, he checks his progress and makes tweaks where necessary. Most of the time, these weekly check-ins only take a few minutes, well worth the time and assurance that he’s going in the right direction.
With this system, he gets more of the right things accomplished than anyone I know. (He loves to help others by sharing his process with organizations as well as men he mentors.)
I, on the other hand, am wired a little differently. I am less motivated by achieving goals than I am with growth in general in every area. I am committed to my priorities and always have them in mind. When an opportunity comes along, if it doesn’t fit well into an area of focus for me or doesn’t line up with my gifts, it’s easy to say no.
If a commitment fits with a priority but will take a lot of time away from other priorities, I weigh it carefully and talk to Mart and other loved ones before I say yes. I also pray a lot about how to proceed. Of course, sometimes one area of my life requires more of my time for a while, but in general, this is the system that I live by.
I would like to be a little more focused, a little more intentional, and perhaps this will be the year I do that. But right now, my overarching goal is to do well in the things that are before me and to love my people well. Quality versus quantity of accomplishments.
As for how 2020 looks, it’ll be busy but I’m excited about the opportunities. I will continue to share glimpses of beauty here on the blog and @glimsen on Facebook and Instagram, and I’m also planning some new things for Glimsen. In addition, I’m writing and teaching a new study for women at my church and continuing to write freelance articles for a long-time client.
And we have a new dog who is full of surprises, not all of them good, but he’s so affectionate that we quickly forgive him for any infractions. I am, however, looking forward to our training class, which begins next week and not a moment too soon.
So, friends, here’s to 2020. Whether you set goals or not, let me encourage you to make space in your planner and your life for beauty. It will give you a much-needed pause in the day, lift your spirits, and perhaps even give you a fresh, new perspective on life—all good things to add to your new year.
Do you set goals? Do you have a system that works for you? I seriously would love to know what you do. Leave me a comment below.
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