4 Promising Ways To Achieve Your Personal Goals
We all have personal goals.
Maybe yours include…
- Saving for Retirement
- Traveling the World
- Losing 5, 10, or 20 Pounds
- Having a Consistent Exercise Routine
- Spending Daily Time in the Word and Prayer
- Going to Bed Earlier
- Managing Your Time More Efficiently
- ________________
Those are just some of the possibilities. So, pause for just a couple of moments and list the personal goals you’d like to accomplish. We need to know what they are if we’re ever going to achieve them.
Now, let’s consider some wise advice from William Arthur Ward on how you and I can achieve our personal goals…
“Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently.” ~William Arthur Ward
Achievement is defined as the successful completion of an accomplishment, either by hard work, ability, or courage.
I’ll admit that W. A. Ward’s quote inspires me. I believe that with the consistent application of those four steps, we can accomplish much in life. The only thing I would change … I think it’s important for us to put prayerful preparation before purposeful planning.
Prayer surrenders our goals and our efforts to God, as we intentionally ask Him to help us align our goals with His will.
Four of the Best Ways
to Achieve Your Goal
Jesus said…
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
So, let’s start…
- Prepare Prayerfully
When you and I prayerfully ask God to give us goals that please Him, He will guide and direct our hearts. Each one of us has been created for God’s glory; we can trust Him.
David wrote…
So they would all trust God
Psalm 78:7 (NCV)
and would not forget what He had done
but would obey His commands.
When we begin with prayer, we remember who God is and all He has done. The One who loves us and made us will guide us to set goals and dream dreams that bless us and glorify Him.
May we stand with the people who asked Jeremiah…
Pray that the Lord your God will show us what to do and where to go.”
Jeremiah 42:3
2. Plan Purposefully
Now it’s time to make some plans. Take your list of goals and put it next to your list of commitments and responsibilities. You may have to say “no” to some things so you can have time to say “yes” to the more important things.
Remember God’s promise to His people…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
He wants good things for you…
We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
Romans 8:28
3. Proceed Positively
Achieving any goal requires effort. However, it rarely feels like a burden when we are using our God-given gifts and abilities to accomplish our personal goals. Proceeding with a positive attitude can have a powerful impact on the outcome.
Paul wrote…
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8
4. Pursue Persistently
Sometimes God’s will and our plans come with a longer timetable, but when we persistently pursue God’s plans, He will see them accomplished at exactly the right time. So, don’t give up. Get up each day and pursue your personal goals and trust God’s timing.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
Whatever your age or season of life, remember these words of C. S. Lewis…
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer for God’s Help
to Achieve Your Personal Goals
Heavenly Father, I’ve tried so many times and failed. I want to learn a new skill, but give up quickly after a couple of frustrating failures. I want to put down my phone and go to bed earlier, but old habits die hard. I want to exercise faithfully and manage my time wisely, but when my days come to an end, I know I’ve given in to well-practiced weaknesses.
Every moment I live, and everything I have is a precious gift from You. I want to achieve the goals You want for me. Please forgive me for failing to steward my blessings well. Please help me focus on You through Your Word and prayer to know Your will and plans for me.
Help us remember that, whatever our age, we are never too young or too old to set new dreams or achieve new goals. Every morning begins a new day. A fresh start and a new opportunity. Yesterday’s weaknesses are behind me, and with Your promised strength, I believe I can achieve whatever You place before me.
So, please help me remain persistent with a positive attitude. When I am determined to carry on in faith, trusting Your loving direction and the Spirit’s help… I believe I will achieve things that please You and bless me.
I thank and praise You for Your power and presence. Your grace, mercy, and love enable me to live with faith, hope, and love as I pursue my personal goals. Amen.
Here are several quotes and verses to inspire us…
“It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal.” ~ Helen Keller
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” ~ John Wooden
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8
Remember…
God knows everything about you and loves you perfectly. You are precious to Him. If He gives you a goal, He will give you what you need to accomplish it.
So…
Trust Him. Love Him. Praise Him. Follow Him.
And repeat often…
I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 (NCV)
May the Lord be with you and bless you as you pursue your personal goals.
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Philippians 4:13 is on the cover of my current thankfulness journal, and I love seeing that reminder about all we can accomplish with Jesus who gives us the strength we need. Great ideas for setting goals no matter what our age might be. Blessings, Deb!
I love that, Martha! Yes, in Christ alone is our hope for the future and strength for today. We are so very blessed! Hugs, dear friend!
Such treasures of wisdom here, Deb! I so enjoyed reading this post. I was chatting with a dear friend the other day about my upcoming birthday this Summer, and we were encouraged by all that God continues to do in and with my life in the sixteen years since the stroke. Even though it was terrifying, I’m thankful that I trusted the Father. What a privlege that He has turned my passion into a ministry that points people to Christ. Thank you, Deb for your consistent dedication to honor our heavenly Father and be an encouragement to others. You are always in my prayers, sister.
Thanks much, Horace. I think about you often. I don’t know what your plans and goals were for the future at the time of your stroke, but I thank and praise Him for the way He has used you to encourage many of us in our faith and living with hope for the future. You inspire me in ways that help me stay focused on Jesus. Thank you much for your prayers and your friendship. God bless you!
Deb, I was discussing your post with Russ and we both agreed that our age our ages of 80 and 81 that our goal is to enjoy every day that we have left on this earth and be thankful to the Good Lord for them; and not let distractions keep us from it. What a blessing life is, and the Christian life is the best blessing of all.
God bless you my friend with a beautiful, enjoyable and safe week.
I’m not too far behind you, Sue. I think my greatest goal right now is to continue sharing the Lord’s love wherever I am, and to give more of my time-wasting bad habits. I pray that you’re enjoying a blessed week. Hugs to you, dear friend!