*We are so grateful that ALL of our 2018 PowerSheets are headed to happy homes! Sign up to know when we restock our Six-Month Undated PowerSheets later this Spring!
If you are just joining us for this series, welcome! Here’s Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Want to listen to this post instead of read? Here you go!
First, thank you all for the birthday wishes! I’m so grateful for another year of life, and that I get to spend my birthday each year here with you, preparing well for the year ahead.
I wanted to give something to YOU today to thank you for this amazing year, and my publishers made it happen. I’m giving away 50 copies of Cultivate to the first 50 people who fill out this form! 🎉 Today is a good day!
Planting out winter garden—pansies!
Welcome to Part 4! We’re getting ready to plant some good goals. Are you ready?! YAY! Me too!
Before we dig in, I want to remind you of this truth: just like planting seeds in my garden, making cultivated goals come to life requires physical action. And another action. And another. Over time, goals that were once leaps of faith you took on a blog post here, turn into new lives! The process of cultivating—breaking the soil, planting, tending, and waiting for the harvest—is where life happens. It’s where change and growth happen. The journey to making it happen is where the good stuff lives.
I know you overachievers want to have done everything yesterday (me too!), but I have also been reading every single comment on this series. Taking this step-by-step is helping many of you make remarkable discoveries! I’m so pumped by all the light bulbs I see going off!
You are starting to see clearly, and it’s happening little by little.
Little by little progress adds up. This realization has changed my life!
It’s okay to grow slow. In fact, it’s really GOOD to grow slow.
Little by little these zinnias in my garden grew this year from the tiniest seeds. Little by little babies grow. Can you imagine if you got pregnant and then the next day gave birth?? Oh, my stars! You wouldn’t be ready. No time to prepare. No time to buy diapers or mull over a name. or assemble the crib, or celebrate. You would have missed the time of preparation and ripening that happens over nine-ish months.
It is the same with our goals. Friend, trust that your goals matter enough to make them happen well. They matter enough to take little steps forward every single day, and some big leaps along the way too. Your goals matter enough to tend to them like a garden.
And, yes, there have been a few watermelons and tomatoes in my garden that seemed to appear overnight. (And the mint! SO MUCH MINT.) You may make your goals happen faster than you think if you take it day by day by day instead of jumping ship when you mess up (which we are all bound to do!).
But just because you make a mess doesn’t mean you become one.
Let’s pick out some good seeds to plant this year! You ready for this? It might feel scary the moment before you pick them, but it will feel SO GOOD when you take that leap of faith and finally do the things you’ve always wanted to do!
Welcome to the final four—Four Goal Uncovering Tips: (I just got bonus points from my husband for making a basketball reference-ha!)
1. First, review everything again! Do not skip this step. Remember, this is goal uncovering. Uncover one more layer and get to the good stuff! Read through everything you’ve written again. Read every word. Re-write or add to things once more if you need to. Cross stuff out, revise things, add to your lists of what did and didn’t work (I added a ton to mine!). Add more to your YES and NO lists. Refine your 2018 Pinterest board. Take pins out that don’t fit well. Use extra paper if you need to. Uncovering good goals is like a treasure hunt. Get messy and dig a little deeper.
I did and I can’t believe what I almost missed had I not done this step! I went back through my 2017 PowerSheets and WOW! I uncovered a huge list of good things that happened. If you are a PowerSheets user, I can’t recommend this enough! Here’s what I found…
This was like harvesting sweet potatoes. If you’ve never done it, you must try it one day! You start digging and you find the first potato which is so fun. But, then you find 20 more… and another dozen… and more and more! Sweet potatoes multiply under the surface. Apparently good things do too. It’s so easy to forget them! Once I started digging, I kept finding more and it left me with such gratitude for the Lord’s faithfulness!
With my little gardener after our sweet potato treasure hunt a couple years ago. So fun!
2. Write out some goal ideas. Next, make a list of the first “goal ideas” that come to mind for this year. This is just a list of ideas! If you want to, take a big deep breath and put on a favorite inspirational song as you start writing these ideas. I’m also going to stop and pray before I write mine, and ask Ari to pray for me too. Your goal ideas don’t have to be perfectly written—just write what comes to mind first when you think about the big picture. Feel free to share some of your goal ideas in the comments, too!
3. Check your goal ideas to make sure they are rooted in what matters. Now, let’s sift through the goal ideas and see if we can find any weeds. It’s easy to make goals that sound good or goals that other people have that you think you should have, too, just to keep up. Let’s notice when we are tempted to do that and dig in deeper to our own unique soil. The idea here is to SIMPLIFY your life, not to give yourself a new to-do list of random things that sound good. Be intentional about what you decide to spend your time on this year, with your own unique gifts and talents. How you spend your time is how you spend your life. Check each of your goal ideas to see if they are leading you in the right direction.
Do a GOAL CHECK and ask these essential questions:
– Will this goal help me to cultivate what matters?
– Will this goal help me get to where I want to be when I’m eighty years old?
– Does this goal help other people?
– WHY do I want to make this goal happen? Am I desiring this goal for the right reasons, or am I striving for “perfect”—or whatever I’ve been chasing?
If the answer is NO to any of these questions, then it’s possible it’s not the best use of your precious time. Don’t run in circles with goals that don’t directly connect to what matters most. Focus on what really matters to you in the big picture. Cross goals out that don’t 100% fit. Be bold and take leaps of faith as you write.
If you are a believer like me, here are some questions I’m asking myself:
– Does this goal help draw me and others closer to God?
– Is this goal rooted in God’s truth? (Find scriptures to match!)
– Does this goal rely on my strength or God’s?
– Does this goal help me steward what I’ve been given well?
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea. When I was a personal trainer in New York for many years, clients often would come to me with a number and say, “I want to lose 10 pounds.” I would ask them, “Why 10 pounds?” Usually, when we got down to it, it was just an arbitrary number or a weight they were in college. There was no real heart connection to the goal of losing 10 pounds. But, when we dug deeper into why they became out of shape in the first place and what they wanted most in life, a picture of true fitness started to emerge. Instead of, “I want to lose 10 pounds because that’s what I weighed in college” (not very motivating and more self-defeating), we worked on goals like, “I want to be healthy and strong so that I can live long enough to walk my daughter down the aisle. I want to live a long, happy life so I can be a better husband and show my kids how to be joyful and healthy, too.”
True story.
That goal worked.
That was motivating.
Get real with why you want these things to happen and connect them to something that really matters to you. It will help you act on your goals instead of tossing them aside.
You never know how long you have left here on this earth to love others and use what you’ve been given to grow good things. Life is too short and too meaningful to coast through. The good you do today has the potential to change generations. That’s why uncovering good goals and having a clear focus is so important.
We can’t do it all and do it well, but we can choose to cultivate what matters.
The alternative is spending your time lost in distractions. Lost in Instagram. Lost in the chase for perfect, or significance, or approval, or whatever it is that has been holding you back from really living. You may find yourself restless, knowing deep down that there’s more to this life. If that’s you right now, you are in the right place! I know that feeling well, and this is your chance to choose change.
To get uncomfortable.
To think bigger than you.
To press into the fear and give it the boot!
Take a big breath in (really do it) and a big breath out. Think of where you want to be when you’re 80. What will be important to you then? Plant those seeds with your 2018 goals. Take some leaps of faith and write out goal ideas that are potentially outside of your comfort zone. Good goals are worth the hard work it takes to plant them. Soak them in the sunshine, water them little by little, and get ready for a flourishing garden full of blooms–and a harvest to share!
There is so much goodness to come when we actually write out our 2018 goals tomorrow (using a special method I’ll tell you about then!). For now, keep making a mess and digging into that rich growing ground of yours!
Your turn! Todays Goal Uncovering Steps:
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
2. Write out your goal ideas.
3. Check your goals.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Need some extra motivation? You’ve got it! Comment with your answers from each step as we go through this series to be entered to win one of these inspiring prizes below. One person who comments with answers to every step in this series will win a bonus prize: one of everything from the Cultivate Shop! Yes!!! This includes 2018 PowerSheets, the Cultivate What Matters sticker book, books, journals, art prints and so much more!
A big thank you to everyone who entered! What a joy it was to hear your responses and get to chat with you in the comments! Congratulations to our winners below! If you’re a winner, fill out this form to collect your prize!
1. 10 sets of 2018 PowerSheets! — Gail boos, Sara Baker, Carrie Condra, Cydney Levin, Melissa Kelly, Cierra LaShay, Kara Wallitsch Tydlacka, Charis K, Staci Good Bedenbaugh, and Cara Gordon
2. A Fitbit Flex — Amber Cavasoz
3. A gift card for a massage — Chris Koiro
4. The 2018 Floret wall calendar — Jen Harris
5. A 2018 Yearly prayer journal from Val Marie Paper — Heather Chollar
6. Keepsake Kitchen Diary from Lily and Val — Zulema Uscanga
7. Farmgirl Flowers bouquet — Bianca Norman
8. Our popular PowerSheets Companion Bundle — Christy S
9. 1-year membership to Thrive Market — Vanessa Wright
10. 2018 Simplified Planner — Sarah Gonzales
11. ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?! A free house cleaning! — Kara Earhart
12. 5 signed copies of Cultivate — Madelyn Smith, Emily Soroka, Julie Davis, Cortney P, and Shannon Hunsley
13. A seat at Financial Peace University — Kady Curtis
14. 5 signed copies Make It Happen — Keatyn Bergsten, Emily Montgomery, Jenna King, Samantha Hawthrone, and Kaitlyn Payne
15. Write the Word All Seasons Collection — Lacey Cabalas
16. A Meyer lemon tree – a family favorite around here! — Lindsey Abrego
17. A 6-month membership to Skillshare — Veronica Ilioi
18. A LegacyBox! (Amazing!) — Kerry Batty
19. One of everything from the Cultivate Shop! — Sarah Kemer
Giveaway ends January 30th. Winners will be announced on January 31st here on the blog. Hard goods are for US entrants only. If you don’t claim your prize within 48 hours, another winner will be selected, so mark your planners and stay posted! : ) Also, this post contains some Amazon affiliates links. No extra cost to you and all proceeds are donated!
Read Part Five of my 2018 Goal-Setting Series!
P.S. We’re HIRING for three new positions in 2018!
keep reading
171 Comments
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:00 am
I am excited to go through this series and use the power sheets for this year! Recently the years seem to pass by so quickly and the dreams and goals keep getting left behind! Thank you for your work!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:30 am
I’m so excited for you, Daisy!
-
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:18 am
Excited about this!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:18 am
Why? Because what we do here on this earth, in this life, matters. It matters most to the ones closest to us and I want to know I didn’t waste my precious time on things that don’t matter. Praying that I do a good job cultivating my marriage and finances in 2018 but understanding and believing that there are oceans of grace with my name on them.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:31 am
Praying the same for you, Kyle!
-
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:20 am
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
– The biggest thread was looking at the changes I could make without uprooting again. No job changes. No apartment moves. Nothing that would be interesting on a Christmas card! How can I learn to be steady and still grow. How can I learn patience with God’s timing.2. Write out your goal ideas.
Create, anything, not for work. Steward my body well in all areas. Take more time for myself. Love my family wholly. Learn more for work and myself! Consecrate my whole life to God.3. Check your goals.
In process4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
In process but overall — because when I’m eighty I don’t want to be disappointed with how my life is. I want to be a sower of all that matters to my heart and have a lived-in faith (I’m an LDS convert). Looking forward to putting these goals to work!-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:31 am
I LOVE your thread, Sarah!
-
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:21 am
This was one of my favorite parts of the process – brainstorming my ideas and writing out the WHYS. I can easily see how I haven’t achieved my previous goals because they were just something I decided but never thought through. I also really, really need the daily reminder that good things grow little by little. If I take it day by day, moment by moment, I will succeed.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:31 am
Yes!!
-
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:31 am
Thanks so much for sharing all your goal setting tips! I have a hard time setting them because I never had faith I’d meet them. The PowerSheets have definitely helped me think differently about goals, so I can be more successful in cultivating the life I want.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:31 am
Thanks so much for sharing all your goal setting tips! I have a hard time setting them because I never had faith I’d meet them. The PowerSheets have definitely helped me think differently about goals, so I can be more successful in cultivating the life I want.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 11:09 am
Every time the email from this series pops up, I eagerly run to my bedroom for ten minutes of quiet and read it because I know it’s going to be amazing. And it always is. I went through my Powersheets this morning (again) and realized I had become so obsessed with not leaving a blank page I wrote down things that don’t matter! My neat pages are now filled with scratch throughs and are now messy, but it’s a beautiful mess! It’s so hard not to fill our lives with stuff, cramming it to the brim in hopes we accomplish something and feel successful, but in reality accomplishing nothing. I’m stepping back and taking it slow. Thank you again so much, and happy birthday!! PS: I’m continually surprised by how you always answer every single comment. That’s amazing, and I love that you take the time to invest in us like that. 💜
-
on December 27, 2017 at 11:23 am
Goal ideas: develop & simplify routines that work for our family, don’t always put myself last, love on our home, cultivate an exceptional marriage, read 24 books, grow our organic farm, make & design 3 new products for my shop, celebrate the small stuff, take my kids on adventures…
-
on December 27, 2017 at 11:42 am
As I have gone through the prep work, I initially thought my answers weren’t “enough” I wasn’t able to fill up a page or be super deep. But something hit me while reading this post–these were what God was showing me I need to work on. And He has, in a way, been showing them to me in the last couple months to prepare me for now. I may only have 5 goals but a couple cover multiple areas of life. Like one of my goals is to work on my health holistically (all areas)–so this includes my emotional/mental health, my physical health and my spiritual health.
Realizing that I didn’t need to think deep cuz they best goals were what have been at the forefront of my mind has been freeing -
on December 27, 2017 at 11:59 am
This part feels the hardest to me so far ! I think part of it is getting it written out. I have done two goals so far. Being intentional in how I live, and Resting in God’s presence. Hurry steals from both of these. A tangible reason why growing slow is good. Thankful for the posts, and opportunities in many ways because of them. Happy birthday to you today!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 12:15 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
Done, it was kind of emotional to do this. I really saw the threads I want to cultivate – husband/home, business, self, finances…oh and faith! that was a big one I saw.2. Write out your goal ideas.
There are some very specific goals within these categories but the main stuff is what I wrote above – cultivate self, home, husband, business, finances, faith so I lumped it in those categories.3. Check your goals. Each of them intentionally blesses others, gets me to where I want to be when I’m 80, helps me cultivate what really matters, needs to involve God at the center or it won’t happen, and so on. Your checklist above really helped me feel confident in my goals to move forward because they do all check out!!
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Business – it impacts others and our future family as well. our freedom means we can serve others at a higher level for God’s Kingdom.
Marriage – Brian deserves me to be better for him. Our purposeful meaningful relationship will help with goal number 1 above as well.
Faith – because it’s time to surrender – to give my dream to God!
Finances – we are called to live as a debtor to no man. It will give us a firm foundation to build on and lend to starting our family.
Self – I matter. I can be better. I want to be healthier and more in shape when we start to have children next year. This very important!Part 4 has been very helpful for me to be sure before I move forward and confident in what I’m choosing to cultivate. It’s been a journey, but I’m ready!!
Thank you Lara, and happy birthday!! Thank you for blessing us with your book, we should be giving you gifts! But hopefully all of our progress and comments bring you joy!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Oh this looks amazing and like something I totally need in my life!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 12:49 pm
some goal ideas I have are: read the entire bible this year, get my health in order, organize everything and keep less, take financial control, love others through patience, kindness, and support., and create the career I want and not just work for others.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 1:10 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
Threads: family- work balance. education. spiritual growth.
2. Write out your goal ideas.
Goal Ideas: financial literacy. cpce. blog. more family time. stronger faith. rebranding. relationship with my team. find a business mentor. be a mentor. read 10 new books. read the Bible chronologically. travel. published. cultivate a relationship with _____. witness.
3. Check your goals.
Check: narrow them down and ensure they are focused and in-line with cultivating the life I want with my children.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Proposed goals:
– read 10 books + the Bible.
why: a closer relationship with God and His word. Also, education.– Leap into ______ with a full heart.
why: cultivate a focused home life for my children.– Focus fully on being immersed in my children.
why: because it’s awesome.– Financial Literacy.
why: education.– CPCE
why: education and experience.– Business mentor
why: education– Experience spiritual growth with my significant other.
why: to be more involved in our home church.– Complete an adventure race.
why: to be healthy and have something to train for.– Blog.
why: to share knowledge. -
on December 27, 2017 at 1:19 pm
1. I’m working on this. Thinking about the goals from my PowerSheets for this year, some of them didn’t happen consistently or well because I let more unimportant daily things interrupt me. This is a challenge about working from home, which I’ve been doing now for 5 years. I didn’t realize how bad it gotten until this year. In prior years, I was more focused. So, I want to evaluate this area more.
2. I have some goal ideas ready they include:
– Loving my true identity in Christ
– Cultivate trust in God and my own trustworthiness
– Faithful mornings with the Lord
– Help my husband dream, do, and delight.3. To check my goals, I’m using the faith based questions that were in this blog. So, I’m going to look up Scriptures to especially check that I’m rooted in God’s truth.
4. – Loving my true identity in Christ
Why: As a believer this is central to life in this world. As someone who is training to work in ministry, it’s important I don’t lose sight of who I am in Christ.
– Cultivate trust in God and my own trustworthiness
Why: I found I had a lot of fear this year, and I need to trust God more.
– Faithful mornings with the Lord
Why: I want my morning to set the tone for my day and keep me connected with God.
– Help my husband dream, do, and delight.
Why: My husband supports and helps me with my dreams, so I want to do the same for him. We had a very hard fall with the traumatic death of a close friend of his, and I want to invest in my husband to help him heal and grow in 2018. -
on December 27, 2017 at 1:24 pm
Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Be intentional in growing closer to God
Why: To cultivate a relationship with the Lord where I can sense and follow the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, while also loving others like Christ loves us.Be Disciplined about Daily Nutrition
Why: Eating less junk and more healthy foods will not only help me lose weight but will also give me energy to really live life.Be Disciplined with Fitness
Why: To increase endurance and stamina, and to develop more energy.Be disciplined with incorporating healthy habits in my life.
Why: To take better care of myself. To have more energy. To prepare for TTC.Love my husband well.
Why: To strengthen our marriage. To improve communication. To show him how much I love him through words of encouragement, acts of service, and special small gifts throughout the year.Encourage and love friends and family well.
Why: Stay connected, show support, listen and encourage, and love. Each of these things will not only impact my friends lives, but will also fill my life with priceless moments.Be disciplined with our finances.
Why: To cultivate a lifestyle of financial freedom, and also be good stewards of our money.Introduce adventure into my life.
Why: Its time to start getting outside and really living life.Cultivate hobbies into my life.
Why: Bring more fun and excitement into my life.Be disciplined in growing in my career, and continue to grow stronger as a servant leader.
Why: My career is a big part of my life, and I want to be the best marketing director I can be and to do that I must stay up to date on digital and social marketing trends. I also want to continue to inspire my team, and encourage them to achieve great things in their careers too. -
on December 27, 2017 at 1:27 pm
I wanted to share that I encouraged my husband today, (already working on the 2018 goal!) by helping him with some goal setting he is doing for his own personal growth. I’m so proud of him!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 2:28 pm
I have been loving this process- my issue with this next step is that I feel EVERY needs to be addressed. So I need to peel back the layers more to uncover what is truly important to get me started.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 2:43 pm
1. Oh, it felt so good to go back through them! I walked through my 2017 PowerSheets filling out the recap pages at the end, then I went through my 2018 prep pages with those things in mind. Talk about motivating and encouraging!
2 + 3. I’ve made my list and I’ve checked them twice 😉 Strength. Dignity. Laughter. AND for good measure I’ve sent them to my blogging besties, Rachel, Dana, and Annie, and today we’re assigning quarterly accountability partners to help us make what matters happen!
4. The why:
STRENGTH. I want to cultivate spiritual and physical strength in 2018 because I want the Lord’s best for my life, and I want to be able to wholeheartedly run after the dreams HE has for my life as best as I can for as long as He calls me to it. Spiritual strength in Him will help me stay focused and clear on what He would have me to do, and physical strength/health will help me be able to do so well.
DIGNITY. I want to cultivate dignity in 2018 because I believe prioritizing financial responsibility and creating meaningful work will set me up for success in the future as well as make my days less stressful. I want to be financially free to give and adventure, and I want to see God’s hand in my workplace and commitments.
LAUGHTER. I want to cultivate a life of laughter, of joy and gladness, in 2018 because I believe God has goodness for me here and now in this season, and I don’t want to miss it. I want to be content with what I have and where I’m at, while also infusing my day to day with the little lovely things that make life meaningful.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 3:00 pm
Hope your day is filled with lots of sunshine, giggles from your kiddos, and cake! Happy Birthday, Lara!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Goals:
Be in the word (learning and retaining through scripture memorization) and prayer every day
– Why: I’ve noticed the necessity of it for me to be the best person, mom, wife I can beOffer a loving, no-expectations, fun, intentional home for my family
– Why: Because I want my family to feel most loved, safe, free and welcome in our homePut Family First
– Why: Because God has entrusted me with a husband and kids to pour into, love, serve and share Christ with
It’s time to put the phone down, start meal planning and hire a weekly sitter to get work done during designated work timeCultivate a life of gratitude
– Why: If I can focus on all that HE has given me and I stop complaining, stop wasting money and focus on instilling a heart of gratitude in my kid’s lives as wellPut others first
– Why: Because it is a command from the Lord to LOVE Him first and others second – me last! -
on December 27, 2017 at 3:28 pm
1. The threads I keep seeing are that there were a lot of good things going on—especially within our family—in 2017. So I want to really pay attention to those good things and intentionally cultivate what good things are growing at home! Church—relationship-building and being “all in” at church were the thoughts that kept popping up as an area of weakness. So I’m going to focus on Home and Church this year.
2. Well, my goal ideas were varied and sundry, but they seemed to narrow down quickly to HOME: having some date nights with my husband! consistent parenting! more focussed homeschooling! CHURCH: all in, baby, all in! FUN: I have really neglected my love of making things—crafts, food, writing. I want to allow myself time to do those things—homemade Christmas 2018???
3. Checking goals—I had a lot of “do XXX 30 minutes per day,” “do XXX for 60 minutes per day,” etc. I realized that I could very quickly fill my days with rules and timetables and not leave room for real life. So that’s one area that I need to get a better view on when to carry out some of these ideas…
4. My WHYs for Home—it’s home! I want my kids to grow up and say—PRAISE GOD for my mom and dad and how they raised me. I want our home to be warm, welcoming, and happy. Church—my husband is a church planter in a Hispanic congregation. I have really allowed my shyness to keep me from building relationships and being a good helper to my husband. This year I want to show my husband that I love him and that I love our church family by being ALL IN at church. And my WHY for Fun Stuff—it is such a JOY to make something for others, whether it’s a meal or a handmade scarf. I really want to have time to learn how to do some new things. It will be good for my kids to see me learning, making mistakes, making a mess. 🙂
-
on December 27, 2017 at 4:09 pm
I love adding the why to goal setting! And that the idea isn’t to add to our to do list but enrich our everyday life & become more of who we are created to be. Praying over my 2018 goals now!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Dig under the surface: I did! I even went back to a many-paged mind sweep I did around this time last year, to review my year, and see what I can cross off, and what still needs more work! I found that I got more accomplished than I thought I did! 🙂
Make a list of goal ideas: I did – this was great! I think it’s a pretty solid list…I reviewed them and they all help me to cultivate what matters. They either help my spirituality, my family, my health, helping others, or pursuing my writing! So they’re all good…now I just need to narrow them down! 🙂 They’re even specific, not just broad strokes. But can I do them all or will I get overwhelmed? -
on December 27, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Thank you so much for sharing these tips. I always feel so scattered at the end/start of the year!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 4:27 pm
“Just because you make a mess doesn’t mean you have to become one.” Lara, this is by far one of the (many) best things you’ve said during this series. So many times I have allowed failures to ruin me. Thank God for grace. And YOU!! Wow.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 4:39 pm
Uncovering goals was such a layered process. I had to set aside my corporate training to set S.M.A.R.T. goals and just listen to my heart. I found that many ideas were tending steps to a goal and not individual goals themselves. My overarching “why” for this year is to live to the standard of the gifts God has given me. I want to steward the gifts He’s placed in me well.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 5:25 pm
I just chose my word for the year: illuminate. I want the light of the gospel to shine in and on and through every area of my life. When I’m 80 I want a life well spent for the Lord. To live with my life in light of eternity and not wasted. To be mature in Christ, abiding in His presence, grounded in the Word, joyfully living and serving the Lord in the midst of everyday life. To be a faithful steward of what I’ve been given as a wife, mother, and sister in Christ, and as a tender of my home – our enghedi- a simple place where we live and love and cherish Christ. As a homeschooling mom if 4 that are 6 and under I’m learning more and more that it’s in the everyday small things that God is using me for His glory, for my kids’good and for my joy in Him.
I want to be faithful to all that God has for me while being gloriously reflective of Christ in the everyday moments.
I’m still working through my goal ideas. I’m loving this series. Thank you!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 5:48 pm
My goals are so much less of a to-do list and more of a “how I want to live” list, which is a wonderful feeling!
-Pray in all things
-Read through the bible (I have always failed at this…this is honestly the scariest goal and one I know I need to do.)
-Take weekends off work: family time, ME time, God time
-Dance parties in the kitchen
-Facetime with family, Text with friends
-Have talks and collaboration on keeping our budget on point
-Keep my business goals focused on God not earthly rewards-
on December 28, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Hey Kim! I just noticed your goals – good ones! Want to encourage you in your goal of reading through the Bible in 2018. I will finish my goal on 12/31 of reading through the OT in chronological order. I am SO glad I did it. Read NT in 2016 (easier goal for sure!) Wow, I have been blessed! So much better than Bible studies here & there, taking nuggets to apply to life, or zeroing in on specific sections and knowing some things well but not the breadth of scripture. I used youversion Bible app, and oftentimes referred to Matthew Henry Bible commentaries online for greater understanding and sometimes listened to various sermons to accompany my reading. I wish you well – you CAN do this and I believe God wants all of us to do this to know Him better & understand our place in history (which is really, “His story”).
-
-
on December 27, 2017 at 6:07 pm
Step 10: Final Four (cute name!)
1) After reviewing everything from my 2017 PS goals and steps 1-9, I noticed the following:
-so much many of my fears and regrets had to do with everything I was doing wrong (gaining weight, missed opportunities, what I did not accomplish), so I flipped the script to focus more on gratitude for all the things God has allowed me to have and do. I needed to focus on finishing grad school and God’s grace is sufficient concerning the goals that didn’t get done.Also, I realized that many of the good things I experiences this year were the result of taking risks, being vulnerable, and asking for help when I really needed it. It allowed God to open the door for others to show their love and support (i.e. church friends, counselors, preceptors, family, etc.)
Lastly, I added 3 more yes’s/no’s to my list in step 7: yes to planning my prayer and devotional time each day–> no to saying I’ll do it when I feel led or leaving it to the last minute; yes to learning and memorizing scripture to apply daily–> no to mindless, unfocused bible study (both at home and at church); yes to trying new things that are “good” goals that take me out of my comfort zone (i.e. reaching out to a friend once a week to talk about Christ)–> no to self-doubt and avoiding genuine connection
-
on December 27, 2017 at 6:15 pm
Step 10: Final Four
2) Here is my list of goal ideas so far:
-participate in 1 intentional act of service per month
-join a service board at my church
-start a faith-based health/nutrition blog
-walk or exercise at least 3x per week (schedule this!)
-make a budget an use Total Money Makeover by dave Ramsey as a guidebook
-connect with 1 friend each week to be a blessing and share Christ
-Journal in my Write the Word journal each week
-restart my 365-day bible reading plan
-follow through with tutoring job and share money earned with family
-develop a weekly self-care routine
-get help from a financial advisor or accountant
-develop a professional portfolio and get a mentor
-participate in professional volunteer and networking events 1x per month
-study/read professional work and resources 1-2 hours per week -
on December 27, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Step 10: Final Four
3 and 4) Here is my narrowed down list with my whys:
-participate in 1 intentional act of service per month–> opportunity to serve God and serve others in my community, obedience to what God has called me to do, brings joy to others
-start a faith-based health/nutrition blog–> something that has been on my list for years and I finally feel ready to do it…an opportunity to shine the light of Christ in a unique way
-walk or exercise at least 3x per week (schedule this!)–>better my physical health to be an example for my family and allows me to do more in this life for Christ
-make a budget an use Total Money Makeover by dave Ramsey as a guidebook–> overcome years of financial strongholds and become a better steward of the material gifts God has given me so that I can serve Him and others more fully
-connect with 1 friend each week to be a blessing and share Christ–> this is my mission and I know it won’t be easy because I know several ppl who are not followers of Christ…I need to do the hard things to reach out and watch God work miracles in the lives of my friends
-Journal in my Write the Word journal each week–>journaling has helped me sort through bottled up emotions and challenges in my life for years. I want to focus more on prayer journaling and this is the perfect start
-restart my 365-day bible reading plan–> I need to make it a habit to read God’s word daily. He is my only hope in this world and I have a need/desire to seek Him wholeheartedly through the Bible
-follow through with tutoring job and share money earned with family–> I’ve always wanted to tutor and help mentor young kids (I don’t have any of my own atm), a great way to invest in the futures of our children
-participate in professional volunteer and networking events 1x per month–>I want to make an impact in my city and serve the hungry as an RD
-study/read professional work and resources 1-2 hours per week–> I still have so much to learn as a new RD and I need to stay up-to-date with the research, practice guidelines and strategies needed to be the best RD God wants me to be. This is a big part of my professional growth to use my God-given giftsPhew! This took a looong time, but totally worth it! Can’t wait to “finalize” my goals in step 5!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 7:40 pm
My threads seemed to point towards foundation, stewardship, and brightness: roots and wings.
Some of my goal ideas are to:
*build daily habits of hydrating, eating nourishing foods, and moving my body for at least 30 minutes
*read through the Bible
*limit sessions with clients to 50 minutes and use the last 10 minutes for paperwork
*find a budget that works for my husband and I and stick to it
*doing John Gottman’s “The Art and Science of Love” with my husbandMy Why: I’ve been given one life with one body and one set of blessings. To waste them through distraction, fear, or anything else is dishonoring God, but to use them purposefully is to bring him glory.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 7:40 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
2. Write out your goal ideas.
So many goal ideas! I narrowed them down to these:
#1 Cultivate my heart and mind with Contentment
#2 SIMPLIFY our home and lives
#3 Cultivate a richer marriage
#4 Be PRESENT and INTENTIONAL about Family Time
#5 FOSTER a welcoming, safe environment for friends to enter into.
#6 Choose JOY over comparison.3. Check your goals.
Each of my goals will help me cultivate what matters in these areas of my life. When I’m 80, I want my kids to be grounded, I want my marriage to be solid, and I want my friends to still be there with me laughing about the good ol’ days. 🙂
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
For Goal #:
1: Because I am tired of living for the future and the next chapter. I want to be present and satisfied with what I have NOW.
2: Because less is more and when I’m 80 I won’t remember (or focus on) the messes but I will remember the memories. Simplifying will make room for more important things!
3: Because I want our marriage to be a light to others. Because our marriage needs daily, weekly, and monthly tending. <3
4: Because our boys need the dedicated time with us. They are only this little today and these will be the moments they remember.
5. Because we have always wanted our home to be a sanctuary to others – a light house in the dark.
6: To help me stay grateful and content. To remember that social media is mostly fake. It only shows the good and not the full picture. -
on December 27, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Thank you for all your love and encouragement! You make all of your customers feel like they are your friend and special! Happy Birthday! Wishing you an abundance of blessings! Ps- so cool that the one years sold out on your birthday!!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 9:03 pm
My goal ideas today revolve around 3 “whys”:
1. I want to know God more and be equipped to share His truth with others.
2. I want my home to be inviting, a place other people want to be, so I can build relationships with people I love.
3. I want to read more of the books I own instead of spending money on ones I may never get the chance to read.So some of my goal ideas are:
-Keep up with my church’s Bible reading plan with my husband.
-Read a daily devotional.
-Wash the dishes before going to bed.
-Vacuum more.
-Cook more.
-Read my books (and then sell the ones I don’t want to keep!). -
on December 27, 2017 at 9:08 pm
Incredible as always Lara!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 9:11 pm
I have been working with a co-worker/friend on removing negativativity from her life. She has been refocusing on making herself happy over trying to please everyone. Plus removing negative people from her life has already improved her outlook on her future, her right now, and most importantly, how she feels about herself.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 9:17 pm
1. Realized I wanted goals that aren’t my own. Grateful for this step.
2. Goal ideas: begin working out/running, help grow the start up I’m working for, Financial Security, Have fun
3. each of these helps me grow and become a better me without doing TOO much.
4. whys- because I want to be in better shape & I love how relaxing running is, because this start up is the job I’ve been dreaming up for the last 3 years and I love the women I’m working with, so we can stop renting, because I didn’t have a ton of fun over the last year- I want to laugh & smile more. -
on December 27, 2017 at 9:40 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
I feel no direction and purpose/guidance so I flounder and search for others who seem to have the magic formula. I ultimately do not trust God has the answers and feel alone in the search to make this life work and feel better.2. Write out your goal ideas.
As much as I resist goals and limits/boundaries I need to do this because each year is the same – no changes and feeling unsuccessful.
Time: Forming routines that foster engagement instead of distraction.
Financial: Use Everydollar to track spending and set up a savings goal for that vacation.
Relationships: Set up monthly dates with hubby, children, friends.
Thought life: Practice gratitude instead of could of, should of, would of.
SMILE!3. Check your goals.
My goal ideas do cultivate what matters. These address daily, weekly, monthly and year long intentions. It also addresses how to turn my searching and longing into looking to God for discipline and purpose.4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Time: My life is how I spend my time. Instead of chasing I’ll be settling into my soil and cultivating where I life.
Financial: Being aware of my triggers and searching outside of myself, God, the home I’ve been given, the people I live with is going to help me be a better steward.
Relationships: I hide from people and vulnerability. I need to be open to deep relationships and enjoy myself and others.
Thought life: Ultimately who I think God is, who I think He thinks I am, and who I think I am will greatly affect how I treat myself and others.
SMILE: I can be way too serious and forget to enjoy life. I need to tell my face and heart often that this journey is meant to be enjoyed instead of endured. -
on December 27, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Happy Birthday, Lara!
Goal ideas & Why:
– Grow and active community & love them well
Why: I crave deeper connection, to get to know each person well (and serve them well). I want to cultivate heart-to-heart connection in meaningful ways. I want to gather with people and create a space for us to grow good things in our lives and by loving people well and taking time to know them, I can do that well.– Cultivate contentment in our daily life
Why: I want to experience a moment to moment contentment throughout an entire year. Spiritual joy. Instead of using energy in pursuing things to feel content, I want to feel content in my now so that I can use my energy to grow what really matters.– Cultivate meaningful friendships, grow my faith in relationships.
Why: I have a belief that I’m no good at relationships – and I’m ready for transformation in this area! I want to learn how to love people well, cultivate fruitful friendships, and celebrate the goodness in people! I want to cultivate friendships that will last.– Grow our company, expand my mindset and learn to think (and embrace) bigger. Grow with the big plan/God’s plan
Why: Letting go of control (my plan, my agenda) and letting God in.– Joyfully and easefully settle into our new home. Feel peaceful and supported throughout the entire process. Start by minimalising so that we are prepared when the time comes!
Why: This is a huge milestone for us, and I want it to feel and be a joyful memorable experience! I pray that the process goes gracefully! I want to prepare for this. -
on December 27, 2017 at 10:23 pm
Im going to take the rest of the evening to back through my powersheets to add, cross out, highlight, and sticker with another perspective. I want to select good goals. ones that matter to me.
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:41 pm
Thank you for making the goal setting process so clear and easy for setting my goals! I can’t wait to read tomorrow’s post and write down my final goals for 2018!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:48 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
This was a good one for me because it caused me to go back and change my word of the year. I realized that so many of my goals have been goals for years that I put off because I am waiting for the perfect moment. Well, I need to do it NOW, even if the action steps are minuscule.2. Write out your goal ideas. 1) fitness as a priority for energy and because it makes me feel good 2) work w a nutritionist to increase energy and get to a healthy weight 3) grow as a homemaker and learn to serve family well (meal planning, organizing , finances,) 4) grow as a Charlotte Mason homeschooler. Learn as much as I can about this life-giving method of education and implement it in our home 5) grow in my faith through bible reading, journaling, prayer, and fellowship wth Christian women friends. Make Sunday service a priority 6) read 55 books this year 7) go deeper in my relationships. 8) focus on loving my husband and on improving our communication. I need the Lord for this one especially 9) more alone time without guilt . Time to think and dream and pray 10) Try 100 days alcohol free just to see how it feels and if it benefits my life
3. Check your goals. Each of them intentionally blesses others, gets me to where I want to be when I’m 80. I want to please my Lord in all I do. I want to have had GOD, family and marriage at the center of my life, and I want to be alive at 80!
Thank you Lara, and happy birthday!
-
on December 27, 2017 at 10:49 pm
I noticed the theme of finding contentment in God’s timing. I’ve been fighting the process this year and I’m ready to thrive in this place.
So many goal ideas! Where to start! I want to read through the Bible this year, Host a girls night in my home to cultivate my friendships, record a CD for my Grandma because she’s asked for this and I want to do it for her, fast once a week, succeed in early morning prayer, take time to read books instead of scrolling through social media at night – All of these things will make me feel healthier, less stressed, and closer to God.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 12:58 am
1) I highlighted and stickers my Powersheets (almost against my will) to dig deeper and find threads. Ended up being eye-opening and heart-breaking in the best way!
2) I grouped my goal ideas differently than they were originally grouped during the life evaluation and it worked much better for goals!
3) I checked my goals and they are God-honoring and essential pieces of self-care that I desperately need.
4) Goal idea: diet – why? To cultivate a healthy lifestyle to model to my husband and children. Goal idea: exercise – why? To nurture my body and steward my physical body well on Earth. Goal idea: spiritual/mental growth – why? To grow closer to the Lord and relieve anxiety. Goal idea: finances – why? To be able to give more! Goal idea: people – why? To find community in prayer and encourage my family.
Oh Lara, I love this series! Praise God! -
on December 28, 2017 at 7:07 am
I am just going through this section in my Power Sheets! So much to unpack. So much to reflect on. I’m in a good place as I enter 2028, but it’s an unfamiliar place. Writing down my goals and the WHay behind them has already been useful. A new opportunity came to me this week and as I wrestled with saying yes or no I immediately thought back to what I want to accomplish this year. I want to live a life on purpose and I can’t do that just floating along.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 12:33 pm
I will have to mull more over this whole series and all of my answers to it. I wrote down just three ideas for me- reading the bible daily, praying with my husband daily, and getting a hobby again. They are rooted in God, and in my goal of surrender for this year… The hobby is not to clutter my schedule more, but maybe to force me to spend more time in QUIET (doing something I enjoy that is not a responsibility) so that I can hear God. I don’t have any hobbies anymore.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 1:47 pm
My goal ideas and the why.
• Walk in gratitude daily
• Why: Gratitude will help me focus on the positive and give thanks for the beautiful things in my life and not to create a reality rooted in negativity.
• Cultivate a loving, happy, judgement-free home.
• Why: I feel like a loving, happy and judgement-free home helps to cultivate healthy, happy people. I want a stress free environment for my loved ones and myself.
• Be better disciplined in healthier eating and exercise.
• Why: I want to live a long happy and healthy life that my children and grandchildren want to model. I want to lead by example and overall just FEEL GOOD.
• Be better disciplined with finances
• Why: I want my husband NOT have to work 2 full-time jobs in order to make ends meet so that he is able to enjoy watching our children grow up live and in person, not through pictures or facet-time.
• Cultivate a habit of intentional prayer
• Why: I want to build upon my spiritual growth and allow my self the time needed to have daily conversations with God.
• Cultivate a habit of expressing my artistic talents
• Why: I want to grow the artistic skills with a daily intentional practice that with hopefully strengthen my skills and birth a business. -
on December 28, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Lara,
I love what you said about being careful not to take on someone else’s goals…just to keep up. I have done that for so many years! This reflection is so good. It is hard for me to dig in my own unique soil! I am not sure I know what that is. I am digging down into what my goals are for not just myself, but my children’s education! Double the joy! 🙂 -
on December 28, 2017 at 3:06 pm
my goal ideas are rooted in what fires me up: loving on people, periods of rest, making things, being in nature, going to church, taking care of my body, and working on my research. it felt good to work on uncovering how these can become actionable goals.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 3:25 pm
My why is that I need to grow in my relationship with God to be the best wife, mom and friend and witness to what God has done.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 3:27 pm
I did my prep work back during the beginning of December and them put my PowerSheets away during the holidays and coming back to them in the past few days and reading and re-reading what I wrote made everything just leap out at me. It was amazing! I never thought this would be where I ended up at the end of this year (it’s been HARD) and so thankful for this tool to help me PERSEVERE (my word!) into 2018 and do some changing!!!
My threads that I discovered after underlining and rereading turned into my goal ideas. Answering the why is crucial.
1. Marriage/Husband – Why? Because our marriage and love is worth fighting for even during a year of struggle.
2. Faith – Why? Because during many storms this year, I turned to faith and it has changed my life. I want more of the Lord’s goodwill in my life.
3. Self-care/health – Why? Because I am important. I need to tend to my own needs so that I can be the best mom and wife.
4. Family time – Why? Because being more intentional with our time is worth the effort, and to have FUN together!
5. Finances – Why? Because I want to stop arguing and make this area stronger instead of a stress inducer every month.
6. Letting go of control – Why? Because it’s okay if I cannot fix everything. And I am not a failure it I cannot fix something that is not in my control.2017 – you were hard. The hardest.
2018 – I am ready for CHANGE! Bring it on! -
on December 28, 2017 at 3:32 pm
First timer! Going through the Goal Setting PDF for general inspiration and then will start the series. Thank you for your honest, transparent process!
-
on December 28, 2017 at 3:40 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
Lots of sadness here but so much transformation to be made.
2. Write out your goal ideas.
My goal ideas are very broad at the moment but I want to review them more for specific and measurable goals.
3. Check your goals.
My husband helped me with my gut check. He’s my rock star!
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Life is about living for Jesus and respecting Him enough to put boundaries in your life so people know what you stand for. -
on December 28, 2017 at 3:43 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
The biggest thread is my battle with perfection! Loved your line “Just because you make a mess doesn’t mean you become one.”
2. Write out your goal ideas.1) Follow a Bible reading plan
2) Discipline in fitness and nutrition
3) Save for big purchases at the end of the year
4) Travel and adventure
5) Declutter home and create spaces that are life-giving
6) Exercise creativity regularly3. Check your goals. *check*
– Will this goal help me to cultivate what matters?
– Will this goal help me get to where I want to be when I’m eighty years old?
– Does this goal help other people?
– WHY do I want to make this goal happen? Am I desiring this goal for the right reasons, or am I striving for “perfect”—or whatever I’ve been chasing?4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
1) Follow a Bible reading plan – Why? I want to intentionally have a plan for studying God’s Word
2) Discipline in fitness and nutrition – Why? I want to improve my health so I have more energy. Discipline is not something I’m good at, so sticking” with something even when I’m not perfect will build mental and physical strength.
3) Save for big purchases at the end of the year. – Why? We need to be prepared financially.
4) Travel and adventure. – Why? I rather accumulate more memories than more belongings, and travel is my favorite way to spend time with my husband.
5) Declutter home and create spaces that are life-giving. Why? Clutter weighs me down and stresses me out!
6) Exercise creativity regularly. Why? I don’t identify myself as a creative, but find when I have the opportunity to participate in a creative outlet, it ends up fueling me in a good and happy way! -
on December 28, 2017 at 4:01 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads. This was so helpful!
2. Write out your goal ideas. Seek God daily, Establish an exercise routine.
3. Check your goals. My goals will help me become what I want to be when I’m 80 and live that long!
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea. I need more Jesus in my life to guide my decisions and give me strength. I need exercise to give me the energy to seek God.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Step One– I walked through everything I had written down and definitely found things to add. I didn’t find much to take away but it was helpful to go through again and add some good things that happened and also some ideas that I forgot.
2. Write out your goal ideas– Family: Social Media-Free Weekend per month, Limited Phone Use when my oldest gets home from school, Family Game Night- 1x/month; Sunday=Sabbath, Listening to podcasts, Family Devos (Consistent!), Make sure I’m ready by 7 a.m on school days so the hurriedness out the door is diminished
Marriage: Date Night Out– 1x/month, No phone after 9 p.m, Go to bed together
Health: Drinks 1/2 body weight in ounces, Clean Eating, Exercise/Strength Train at least 3x/week, All things in moderation
Church: Be more strategic with children’s ministry; Devote 1 hour of planning time every week to focusing my attention here
Jesus: Daily Bible Reading/Prayer (with a friend maybe!); Instead of mindlessly wandering the internet during car pick-up, devote time to reading God’s word or things that will make a more lasting impact; Write prayers out
Finances: Track spending/Stay in budget range, Find an app that works to do this
3. Check your goals- Goals Checked!
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Family goals: I have 18 years with my children and less even now that they are growing up! I want to be present with them and invest in their character and their understanding of who God is and the world He has made.
Marriage goals: My marriage impacts everything else in good and/or bad ways. Therefore, it’s important that I have a strong marriage that demonstrates grace, love and patience.
Health goals: I don’t want to be distracted by food and personal appearance, as much as I have been in the past. I want to be healthy. I want to honor God with what I put into my body.
Church goals: I focus on children’s ministry because my the course of my life was transformed because of children’s ministry. I
-
on December 28, 2017 at 5:49 pm
I went back through everything I have written so far with a different color pen for each area I said I want to focus on at the beginning of this series. It was encouraging to have it all marked up this way as I started to brainstorm goal ideas. Wrote out so many ideas of goals and things I want to be able to do at the end of the year. And crossed out some ideas that didn’t relate to the areas I want to grow in the most this year. Praying over this messy list and working to combine all the ideas into just a few, measurable goals. My main why: because I want to be a good steward of all (body, mind, work, marriage, family, friendships, etc.) that the Lord has given me.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 6:55 pm
1. Common thread: becoming the (insert title here) God intended (mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, disciple)
2. I am still working on my goal ideas but here are a few: love God well, serve my family well, love myself well
3. In process 🙂
4. In process 🙂
-
on December 28, 2017 at 8:13 pm
1. Looking back through everything I’ve written – a longing for genuine, life-giving community and life in my home is clear.
2. incorporate sabbath into my life, grow our appetite for God and His ways, less technology and more time with my people, budget for more generosity, grow in my prayer life, intentionality with my hubby, grow genuine community.
3. yes – they focus on ‘my’ people, my spiritual maturity, and an appetite for Christ.
4. Sabbath: I believe that God gives good gifts and He has asked us to trust Him through Sabbath and I want to lean in and learn more about Him and His grace.
-Growing our Appetite for God and His Ways: Our palettes are powerful – what we are exposed to we want more of. I want my longings to be for Him and His ways rather than the easy and cheap ways of the world. I long for this for my sweet babies as well.
– I want my eyes off of technology and on my hubby and babies because they are going to last throughout this lifetime and I don’t want to regret missing their smiles and sweet faces. Eye contact communicates value – I want them to SEE that I value them.
-Budget for Generosity. We save well but we don’t share well. I believe this is God next ask for us as a couple in our trust of Him. Releasing control here is going to be scary but I trust Him that He will be faithful.
– Prayer: I want to grow my heart and trust here – I turn too quickly to control and trust myself, I want to release that to Him more fully.
-Intentionality with Josh: Beautiful things grow through hard work. I want beauty in our relationship and I’ve been too tired and drained by other things for too long. No more.
– Genuine Community: As a family we need people we can be honest with and truly seen – I know that getting life-giving community in our lives will encourage and motivate us. We need this after a depleting season in community. -
on December 28, 2017 at 9:51 pm
This step is hard for me. I still have work to do, but I am sure that my goals are going to involve a daily prayer/gratitude practice, cleaning and decluttering my home so that I can have my doors open to family and friends, following a financial plan so I better manage my resources, and practicing brush lettering as a creative outlet.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 10:13 pm
I didn’t think I could find a word.
I did.DAYENU.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 10:28 pm
The common threads I kept seeing as I went back to look at my prep work were time and relationships with mu husband and children. These are the ideas I’ve written down so far:
Cultivate Spiritual Life – family worship, Bible study & memorization (hiding God’s word in my heart), cultivate gratitude, deeply ground and root our home in God’s truth, not what the world says
Why? Because we are eternal beings and our focus needs to be on Christ, only the eternal will last
Refresh Family Relationships – encourage, support and cultivate my relationship with my husband, schedule date nights and time together, cultivate the hearts of our children, spend intentional one-on-one time with each of our children, eat meals together, do family activities together that bring us joy
Why? Relationships is why God created us – to connect to others and I desire deep connections with my husband and each of our children for as long as God allows me to be here
Manage Time Well – this was a strong recurring thread for me. I did not manage my time well last year and it showed. I’m ready for a time of refreshing and to move out of discouragement and overwhelm. This includes, replacing distractions with Bible memory and spending time with family, having a menu plan, establishing a solid morning/evening routine, incorporating weekly/monthly assessments with my husband, turning off electronics by 7 p.m.
Refresh Mind, Body and Soul -This last year was a struggle for me with my health ups and downs. I want to read insightful, encouraging books (this is something that fires me up!), exercise, start an herb garden (something I’ve wanted to do for a couple years), SLEEP, playing piano, taking time to nourish myself
Why? I want to be ALL there enjoying every moment with my family, not tired and worn down, and stressing over everything there is to do.
Cultivate a life-giving home – I want to read good books together and play worship music, enjoy fun and fellowship with others, have our home be a place of refreshment, not stress
Refresh Homeschool Schedule – I’m not sure what this looks like yet for our particular season in life. Still have some digging and praying to do on this one. 🙂
Why? I want our kids to love learning, so they can develop their talents and interests for God’s glory. -
on December 28, 2017 at 10:45 pm
Whew!
All I kept saying was “Amen” and “Yes ma’am!”I dug a tiny bit back over what I read but I realized I didn’t dig deep enough when you asked us to ask ourselves WHY for each goal.
So, Amen and Yes Ma’am – I’ll be doing that tomorrow.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 11:14 pm
10.2- Ideas: start grad school, take career building classes, learn to cook, go on more adventures, establish a self care routine, lose weight, build cheer program
10.3- Do they matter?: Some do and some don’t. The things that will help me become who I want to be when I’m 80 like: establishing a self care routine, losing weight, building my cheer program and career.
10.4- I want to do these things to not only make myself proud, but also because all of these things impact the people I have in my life now, and the people I will have in my life then.
-
on December 28, 2017 at 11:15 pm
This process just keeps getting better and better! I keep going back through in rereading my notes and took a highlighter with me this time. I wrote out my goal ideas, and so many scriptures keep coming to mind. So encouraging to write goals that draw me into more of God’s presence and truth instead of chasing perfect and comparison. Michael ideas focus on one, cultivating the soil of my heart with God’s truth, presents, and light. Two, laying down healthy habits in my work as a homemaker so that I have more space and energy and time to cultivate what matters. And three, to cultivate my physical health so that my body can support cultivating what matters instead of distracting me from it. I wrote my whys by each of my goals – fact, there is more wise and goals! I love having meaningful goals instead of random todo lists!!!
-
on December 28, 2017 at 11:17 pm
Oops, typos! 🙂 That should read “my goals, not Michael” and , ” there are more why words than goals “.
-
-
on December 29, 2017 at 1:33 am
Love the idea of really looking at the deeper why if each goal and thinking about where I want to be when I’m 80 and does this line up with that!
-
on December 29, 2017 at 5:50 am
Build basic rhythms rituals and rest to build a deeper roots as foundation for being more fruitful in all areas of my life.
Rebuild my body with a ongoing choices to eat well and move my body.
Rebuild my heart and pruning get to the roots of my procrastination habits of food and social media numbing.
Rebuild my mind focus intentional reading and creating to replace mindless reactive social media consumption.
Build my spirit’s responsiveness and connectedness to God.
Motivation: to be more fruitful and able to steward my call and gifts and serve more out of a place of fullness rather than drivenness or insecurity. -
on December 29, 2017 at 8:16 am
Those are great goals, Lara! I’m zeroing in on a word for 2018 still, and it looks like it’s going to be JESUS!
-
on December 29, 2017 at 9:55 am
I have pretty much the same goals as the last couple of times I have done this goal setting series. The only things that change may be my action steps. My why is definitely centered around a new truth that I want to be a faithful, persevering steward of the blessings and roles God has graciously given me, and I want to love my family and friends well, with His love. My goals won’t ever be fully accomplished because I will never arrive at perfection til Jesus comes back, but I will humbly rely on His grace to continue to transform me into who He wants me to be to steward what He has given me.
-
on December 29, 2017 at 11:27 am
Goal ideas:
1. Actively prepare for the 24 hour run/walk for cancer in April./ Live an active life. (Health/Recreation)
Why? Healthy body; prove to myself I can do it/ make myself proud; charity fundraising2. Activate accountability through establishing routines. (Health/personal growth)
Why? No snooze button will help with punctuality. Tidy Desk, Tidy Mind.3. Constructively process emotions (Health/Recreation/ Personal Growth)
Why? Journaling and practicing gratitude will help me control anxiety instead of letting it control me. Bonus subgoals: Learn hand-lettering, read 70 books4. Cultivate Fruitful Relationships (Friends/Family).
Why? The Fruitful Friendships workbook revealed some unhealthy themes in my friendships and working to remedy those will help me be the friend I want to have.5. Be proactive at work. (Work/Personal Growth)
Why? Find the busy that works for me. Finding projects and remembering my purpose & original passion will help to combat boredom in the office and comparison to my coworkers.6. Publish & Present (Work/Personal Growth)
Why? Sharing knowledge is important to me as professional development is important in my field. And the fact that it’s a requirement for promotion is a good incentive. -
on December 29, 2017 at 11:47 am
Step 10:
My rough draft list of goals include weight loss, drinking more water, exercise, eat better, love better, take care of me, spend less and save more, tithe, pay off debt, budget, grow in the lord, pray, learn to say no, learn gratitude, sabbath rest, memorize scripture, minimize, focus on school, give, eyes up, phone down.
After thinking about the why for this idea list I eliminated and combined goals. I chose 6 overall goal categories.
HEALTH
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
RELATIONSHIPS
SCHOOL
FINANCES
SELF-CARE -
on December 29, 2017 at 12:11 pm
As I review and rewrite and rethink and add to and delete what I have written down so far, I am amazed at how natural this process feels for me. I truly believe that God is going before me in this year of me turning 40 and allowing me to truly embrace it like I have never done before. The excitement builds.
I jotted down several goal ideas – 15 or so including things that pertain to my health, my family, my home, my job, my interests, my cooperative with my husband and my faith. As I reviewed what I had written in other sections, I was able to quickly reduce the list to 6 goals that I will pour my all into this year:
1. Make health a priority – why? because I have only been given this one body and I need to do my best with it.
2. Turn 40 with grace and style – why? because this life I have is a delight to my Creator.
3. Be consistent with a Bible Reading Plan – why? Because I have found throughout this past year that when I spend time in the Word EACH DAY, everything changes for the better. and I am finding that I crave it.
4. Cook at home most of the time. why? because being a steward of the time and money God has given our family is important and cooking at home (with help from the gang) will fulfill a LOT of different goals all at once.
5. Learn the ropes of business ownership. why? because the company we are taking over is our legacy and our future and ours to steward well
6. Schedule consistent time to bless others in our home. why? because we have an abundance and we are called to share that with others.
I continued to write my “whys” with my other ideas and saw how I could combine some of them together to be more focused within these 6. -
on December 29, 2017 at 1:28 pm
This one was a little more difficult for me! Not quite as black and white.
1. The more I look through things that I have written, the more I see the need for perfection. I want to see value in the imperfect growth.
2. Some of my goal ideas include – Moving more (being active),guard what I commit to and commit to things that matter, steward our money well, be steady, show Jesus, be grateful, be a good friend, play with my girls, love Will well, etc.
3. Goals have been checked and rechecked and prayed through!
4. Working on every ‘why’ today and tomorrow.My husband and I go on a planning date every year. We will be doing this over breakfast tomorrow morning and I am so excited to talk through my goals with him and talk through what we plan to commit to together in 2018. I am SO EXCITED to cultivate more through my Power Sheets and focus on the moments and giving myself permission to ‘Savor the Slow’.
-
on December 29, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Step 1: My Goal Ideas
1. Listen to and learn from myself in order to live in a way that honors my body, mind, and spirit.
Why? Because I feel like my health, physical and mental, is so wrapped up in what others thing, or feel, or have advised, that I’m simply going through motions and not taking care of myself or doing what’s best for me.2. Get back into my body, recreationally.
– Similar to one but distinct, I don’t take time for myself. I’m a thinker by default, but for me, taking time for myself is doing things that physically root me in my being, and I need to do more of that, walking, praying/meditating, being still, napping when necessary, dancing.3. Be more intentional about making / maintaining friendships.
– I kind of let things happen as they may. I move on, people move on, and i don’t let myself remember, recall, or desire to continue to connect with people. No more.
. -
on December 29, 2017 at 4:45 pm
Final Four!! (Love that joke!)
I enjoyed going back and refining the whole reflective process. It was funny the things I had missed or forgotten. I have been inspired to group my goals into beautiful, creative names by so many other wonderful posts! So in that spirit, my trimmed-down goal ideas include:
1. How lovely is thy dwelling placing: These goals are related to creating a sound home, body, and vocation, including planning meals, hiking with friends, designing apartment decor, increasing my work skills, and improving our financial security.
2. Praise the Lord oh my soul: These goals involve more giving, serving, gratitude, more involvement in the founding of a young adult group, singing, and holding myself accountable to a more positive and honest inner-dialogue.
3. Out of the depths I have called to You: These goals include personal prayer, listening to God’s word and servants on earth, sustaining goal-setting conversations with friends, and holding myself accountable to my goals.I have a long list of specific goal ideas and the reasons why I chose them. But for these cultivated goals, they all connect to my word of the year: listening. I am searching for a vocation and these goals are designed to encourage me in the search and grow my capacity to listen, instead of chase after jobs.
-
on December 29, 2017 at 5:53 pm
I’m going take 3 min every morning…after I brush my teeth…to sit still. I can pray, meditate on a scripture verse, listen to a worship song or just look out at nature. And I’m going complete that application to Seminary by the 31st Jan and choose to “move” 3-4 per week….do they matter? Yes, I want to be practice being still so that I can hear the voice of God and I’m going to choose to see working out as a blessing, not a chore. The Lord has me in training, getting equipped both spiritually and physically because He has me running on mission. I want to be a women who dances in His grace, stands on holy ground and runs on mission for His glory (thx Jess Connolly!)
-
on December 29, 2017 at 6:31 pm
Kathy and Jenny here for 2018 goal setting, part 4
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
[Kathy] 这些目标有些已经在脑子里，有些是翻看从前所写的过程中再次跳出来，
[translation] I had some goal ideas already, and reviewing what I have written before really helped me confirm some ideas, and also birthed some new ones.
[reflections]
Jenny – I feel a reminder of reviewing what were written can be inserted to every page of PowerSheets Chinese version 🙂
2. Write out your goal ideas.
[Kathy]
https://photos.google.com/u/1/share/AF1QipNPrQRzfwi1EM9Y72JmYauOqsJ5wtXu-FFIZQ-\-y5c9Yt4G6pzGVsUXwlGzMgo_FA/photo/AF1QipMdDeDMRpJDX6oONi_Sp3novoJnXBrO_rpyEa90?key=QW9rZmJPM1VlcTZTWXJrblVwY0ZVem5xc0lZS3JB
https://photos.google.com/u/1/share/AF1QipNPrQRzfwi1EM9Y72JmYauOqsJ5wtXu-FFIZQ-\-y5c9Yt4G6pzGVsUXwlGzMgo_FA/photo/AF1QipM0bokikgBGdltb_x8AvrxbKzWFMcXty7WOZfhz?key=QW9rZmJPM1VlcTZTWXJrblVwY0ZVem5xc0lZS3JB
[translation]
First level:
1. More intimacy with the Lord.
2. Human relations: family (husband, kids, mom, husband’s family, family on mom’s side, family on dad’s side), companions in the Lord (discipleship sisters, other saints), friends (classmates, mom friends), neighbors and others. Let me be reminded that human souls are incredibly precious in God’s eyes, so the ultimate goal is to serve men.
Second level
Living: homemaking, home atmosphere, cooking (diverse and simplified), family finance, household duties, learning and training
[reflections]
Kathy – I would thank Jenny again. She reminded me to think specific goal ideas. My typical way of doing this part could easily entangle and confuse me, which I know will take me long hard time to break out. I feel so thankful for a passionate, responsible and insightful PowerSheets companion.
Jenny –
3. Check your goals.
[Kathy]
https://photos.google.com/u/1/share/AF1QipNPrQRzfwi1EM9Y72JmYauOqsJ5wtXu-FFIZQ-\-y5c9Yt4G6pzGVsUXwlGzMgo_FA/photo/AF1QipNEugqmfWhJHVRTInAv0n1r1eWNARDlNfi2B_rv?key=QW9rZmJPM1VlcTZTWXJrblVwY0ZVem5xc0lZS3JB
https://photos.google.com/u/1/share/AF1QipNPrQRzfwi1EM9Y72JmYauOqsJ5wtXu-FFIZQ-\-y5c9Yt4G6pzGVsUXwlGzMgo_FA/photo/AF1QipPzYkCx6rbWYaw1jRZ4LHTXjSmEdp0cy1LvKWmR?key=QW9rZmJPM1VlcTZTWXJrblVwY0ZVem5xc0lZS3JB
[translation]
Goal 1: Get closer to God. Understand more clearly God’s gifts, His plans and how to use me. Walk with God in year 2018!
Goal 2: Get closer to David my husband, love and help him more practically. Bless him on his connections and interactions with parents and kids.
Goal 3: Grow to be a blessing to my family, kids, and marriage which I am managing as a full-time housewife (Handy cooking + healthy home environment + household duties + time management).
Goal 4: Prayerfully and consistently care for mom. Cultivate our healthy relation with godly boundaries, to help her come closer to God.
Goal 5: Cultivate intimate and influential relation with my kids, and guide them to live godly life.
Goal 6: Continue to keep company with and bless my church discipleship sisters, and other saints.
Goal 7: Cultivate healthy living (exercises, work and rest, moderation)
Goal 8: Offer help to mom/mom-to-be friends.
[reflections]
Kathy – This part is most challenging to me. I can write down to-do list, but had no clues for setting specific goals. My first attempt resulted in too vague and general goals. What a huge challenge caused by cultural difference and way of doing things. I had to do it again. Thank the Lord and Jenny’s help, a second pass gave me much clarity, and the original 3 general goals got categorized and objectivized to 8. Maybe more specific goals can help me see clearly how to proceed. I am ready to give it a try! This is what I learned from this step: Never be afraid of making efforts on things that matter.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea
[translation of Kathy’s whys]
Why for goal 1: This is foundation of all – my family, friends, daily living. It helps me choose what matters.
Why for goal 2: This is where I can testify “Christ is the Lord of my family” the best, and embody truth of my faith
Why for goal 3: My house is not only a residence for my family, but a place of God’s blessings and His presence, where everyone enjoys dwell.
Why for goal 4: Only God is my mom’s Savior, and I would be His chosen channel for her to see Jesus.
Why for goal 5: Jesus is my kids’ lifelong companions, and I, as closest to them, will influence them profoundly.
Why for goal 6: This is my burden and ministry in church, and I believe I am the one most blessed.
Why for goal 7: This is where God’s glory can be seen through men. May I present more of His beauty and fragrance.
Why for goal 8: As a mom of two, I know feelings and anxiety of other mom/mom-to-be friends. They have urgent and practical needs. I would love to help them a little.
[reflections]
Kathy – From here things became much clear and easy. Really, as long as I got specific goals, everything else follows naturally. -
on December 29, 2017 at 7:29 pm
Goals…create a new company to encourage women to be all that they can be in the Lord.
Write 4 chapters of a book.
Create a 1 minute video every other week on Instagram page ( heart Kristen).
Move to east coast without tons of complaining. This will be the hardest thing I’ll do this year. 😀
-
on December 30, 2017 at 12:17 am
My why..
New Company… to encourage women in the Lord while creating income for my family to save up to adopt a little girl from Asia.Write a book… (at least 4 chapters). After living outside of the country for 12 years, I feel like I have been so blessed and would love to share the wisdom I have gained by living in Asia and Europe.
1 Minute videos- I love love love sharing what the Lord is teaching me, that is my gift! I feel compelled to share what the Lord gives me in short videos.
Moving to East Coast with out complaining. Moving is not by choice but how I go certainly is. I want to leave California with joy. It will be a fight but I have to fight for joy.
-
-
on December 29, 2017 at 7:33 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
Reviewed, and worked on my Pinterest board to help me focus. God, Health, Creativity, Adulting, and Planning stood out2, 3, & 4. Write out your goal ideas., Check your goals, and Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
I ended up stringing these three steps together, and came up with the following:1. I want to exercise at least 30 min every morning M-F, because a) I need to take care of my body, b) It will improve my lab #s, c) It will make me feel stronger and more active in my life, d) I can’t do it without God, and e) Being healthier helps my family and friends because I have more energy and am happier, which transfers to them
2) I want to spend 30 minutes every morning (or most, anyway) reading the Bible and praying/seeking/being with God because a) I need Him and b) I want to be closer to Him. c) This brings me peace, which d) allows me to be peaceful with others
3) I want to dedicate time to crafting, because creating a) makes me happy, b) gives me a break from my routine, and c) allows me to make others happy with my gifts and fruits of my crafting.
4) I want to dedicate time to the necessary “adulting” tasks – financing, filing, organizing, because a) this helps my family have a strong foundation, b) everyone can find things, c) everything looks neater/less chaotic, and d) everyone is happier and more peaceful
5) I want to dedicate time to planning outings – for myself, couples time with my hubby, family time, and connecting with friends, because a) I want to grow the relationships with which I’ve been blessed, and b) I want to find and foster new relationships in my new home state.
I started my Pinterest board!!!
https://www.pinterest.com/craftykuz45/cultivating-my-best-year-yet/ -
on December 29, 2017 at 9:47 pm
Last year I had many goals. I graduated grad school, had a baby, started a full time job, moved 3 times, moved 12 hours from home and we built a house. This has been the most challenging yet rewarding year yet.
I have 3 goals this year.
1) Be deeper rooted in my faith. Stick to a bible reading plan.
WHY? When I am rooted in Christ I am confident and do not falter, like a deeply planted tree. When I am not in God’s word I complain and compare. This world cannot satisfy the longings of my soul.2. Tackle student loans.
WHY? We are working hard to be debt free. This is the last of our debt. We want to save towards a legacy and future for our family, paying off this loan will give us the opportunity to do so. Also we will have more opportunities to serve and give to others.3. Love my husband and family.
WHY? Nothing else matters. God gave me a spouse and son to do life with. I want to love them and support them. I want to be a wise woman who builds her home 🙂 I want to focus more on spending time with the ones I love versus social media, cleaning, distractions. -
on December 30, 2017 at 1:40 am
My goals vary from my relationship with the Lord, my health, my relationship with my kids, stewarding my friendships well, submitting to my husband. And a couple more.
The why to my goals is to bring Glory to God in all things that I do. To work as I am working for him and not myself or others. TO grow my relationship and understanding of God. To put the words I speak and hear into motion for others to grow closer to God in their relationships. I have to steward my time well and that starts with waking up in the word. Being bathed in the word daily. I desire to know his character more and better this next year. -
on December 30, 2017 at 1:51 am
After going over everything and reflecting, I’ve zeroed in on a few goal ideas. Build strength and lose fat, continue improving and building deeper connections with my husband and children as they grow, cultivate a stronger inner peace/happiness in my own mind and to refine and improve routines at home to make life flow easier and make the mundane tasks more enjoyable .
Why? A healthier body, healthier relationships and a healthier mindset will enhance my life and my family’s life now and into the future! -
on December 30, 2017 at 10:42 am
Hi again, Lara and friends!
My goal ideas are nature (camping quarterly with friends or just husband, selling animal encounters since I get the wonder of a little kid again), marriage (lots of ideas here: dinner conversation, emotional check-ins, practical check-ins, plan dates and vacations ahead of time, physical touch daily), worship music (in the car, all day Sunday, getting ready, etc.), Fun/joy (quarterly visits with my bff, watercolor, new recipes, lettering signs of encouragement), and personal (embrace acceptance over criticism, find better ways to respond to stress).
Planning dates and vacations ahead of time is one that seemed more selfish, so I’ll rule that out because it doesn’t align with my overall goal to avoid the “my way or the highway” syndrome. A few things like trying new recipes I already do satisfactorily so I don’t feel the need to make it a goal.
My “why’s” are because I want to focus on a deeper relationship with my Savior and husband-to-be and a healthier relationship with myself.
-
on December 30, 2017 at 12:10 pm
This is all so helpful! I’m reading through the whole series today because it’s my morning off.
1. I’ve already gone through the prep work 2 or 3 times but I think I’ll do it one more time because I’m still not settled on all my goal ideas
2. My idea list is too specific, it’s turning into a list of things to do which is what I’m trying to say no to. But one idea I’m going to focus on is developing spiritual disciple
3. Because it will grow me closer to God and I long for a stronger relationship with Him
4. The why is because I need Him to survive. I need Him to thrive. He is the only one who can refresh me truly (which is my word of the year) so I’m very excited to jump into this goal.
Now to get some other ideas narrowed down! -
on December 30, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Find inner happiness to complete myself. Before I can move forward, I need to be happy with myself and enjoy life.
Grow friendship without worry someone will judge me. Letting go of fears to find friendships I was once scared to make.
Be confident in myself. I worried so much about what people will think of me. I need to voice my opinion to feel I have a part in my life.
3. Check your goals.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea
-
on December 30, 2017 at 2:04 pm
A couple of my first goal ideas are (not necessarily order of importance):
1. To aim to give my daughter more undivided attention each day. To make it measurable, I’m thinking that I can block out 3 hours specifically for playing, reading and exploring outside– for me to drop everything and simply enter HER world.
WHY: so that she will KNOW that she is important to me, and our bond will grow stronger. To maximize what is left her fast flying formative years and set a good that will be critical as she gets older and more distractions compete for her affections.
2. To spend some time each day (a few hours a week) purging and decluttering my craft supplies and organizing what is left. I have many ideas to flesh out but my work space is complete chaos.
WHY: so that I can finally take action on my vision and get back to creating with my hands–something I have loved since I was a child and have not made consistent time to do for way too long. I will feel renewed and closer to God when I am just creating and making beautiful things for the love of the process.
3. To be more deliberate about spending quality time with my husband and putting my phone away when we have time together.
WHY: so that we can have open, connecting conversation more often, keep learning about each other and what God is doing in our hearts, and deepen our bond. I will feel more confident in the strength of our love and resist the isolation that I am prone to feel when I give in to the tendency to stay inside my own mind. I will shut down the tactics of the enemy to plant doubt and exploit insecurity by strengthening our intimacy. -
on December 30, 2017 at 7:21 pm
I just purchased the Cultivate book and I am beyond excited for it to arrive. While it was not in the budget to purchase the power sheets this year (major sad face) I am staying up on all of your posts and thankful to be inspired on a daily basis.
-
on December 30, 2017 at 7:41 pm
My Goals (in progress!)
1. Intentional/faithful daily time in the Word and prayer. Aim to read through the Bible in a year while faithfully using my 2018 prayer journal
WHY: To lead to deep, life-altering, heart change. To be made new on a daily basis. To know what I believe. To nurture and cultivate a deeper relationship with my Savior.
2. Spend, give and save in a way that honors the Lord, is wise and blesses others.
WHY: To steward what we have been given well and create margin for opportunities, things out of our control and to better love others with our “stuff”.
3. Self-awareness — to better know and understand myself as a woman, wife, mother and daughter of God.
WHY: To build up confidence and assurance in who God created me to be, so that I can love those in my life well. I can’t pour out of an empty glass.
4. Prioritize activity & rest that refuels and resets my physical and mental health.
WHY: To honor the Lord with my body, soul, mind and strength. -
on December 30, 2017 at 8:51 pm
First year doing this and I am loving it!
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers.
Done. Most of what I struggled with in every area (finances, spouse, etc) is that there is too much. The stuff, the commitments, etc. always doing that one last thing… and all the extra is drowning out God’s voice, making it hard to follow his lead and feel his peace.
2. Write out your goal ideas.
I came up with 5. Including purging and minimalising everywhere I can, taking the Sabbath, prioritizing vacations (rest) and experiences over purchasing stuff. And praying more. Asking God into every part of my day.
3. Check your goals.
Done, noticed they all effect one another.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Loved this check list. Helped me to see more clearly which is priority and how if I can achieve one goal then maybe it would make others no longer necessary. If that makes sense. 🙂
-
on December 30, 2017 at 8:58 pm
1. Common thread – build a routine, schedule time with God, let go of my old self to create a new one.
2. Build A Routine, stick with it for 2018. Make time for God. Complete an Ashley Horner trainer (got one for Christmas, SO excited!!!). Sunday resets/prep for the week ahead. Believe in myself. Drink H2O. Fuel my body well. Blog everyday for a year (so I can find my voice and write a book someday!). Read more books.
3. Had to eliminate a couple for now. Maybe I can make them a monthly goal at some point. I asked each idea the questions you listed. The ones that stayed put were Build A Routine, Make Time For God, Daily Workouts, Sunday Resets, More Books, Blog Everyday.
4. – Building A Routine will ground me. A routine grounded in God will center & guide me.
– Make Time For God will help carry me through my goals, the good days, and the bad. God deserves my time and I would love to have time set aside everyday to show Him my gratitude.
– Daily workouts will improve my physical, mental, and emotional health. My kids will see their mom caring for her body. Workouts will make me happy, even on the days I don’t feel up to it.
– Sunday resets offer cleaning of the house. They offer meal prep, a reset and rest period for the week ahead. Planning ahead means less chance of me falling off the wagon (in regards to work outs).
– More books will help me stay focused on my goals and learn. They will also allow me a set time to relax and take some time for myself.
– Blog Everyday for the year will help me find my writing voice, allow me to look back a year from now and see how I’m growing. It will also hold me accountable. I also hope it will give me the opportunity to connect with other women who are looking to change themselves also.Thanks Lara! This one was AWESOME!
-
on December 30, 2017 at 11:34 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
My goals turned out to be much more heart focused that the superficial goals I usually write! Thank you for this resource!
2. Write out your goal ideas.
I had so many goal ideas. I finally realized I had about 6 different themes with my goals and all of them connected to what really matters to me.
3. Check your goals.
I ended up putting some of my tiny goals into larger goals, then had to reword them so that they were a little more heart centered, where I need the most work. For example, my workout goal was too specific, with days and times and a specific workout, so I switched it to be about working out and resting diligently, with gratitude for my body. My retirement savings goal, instead of having a specific number turned into, “Contribute to our retirement prayerfully and faithfully.” I need to be connecting with God regularly to see how these goals take shape.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
I can’t share the specifics of all 7 goals I went with, but I wrote every “why” down, and highlighted where the threads connected with what I had written on my “Cultivate What Matters” page of the power sheets! So powerful! I can’t wait to start the new year! Thank you!
-
on December 31, 2017 at 5:17 am
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
God, relationships, and taking better care of myself so that I may serve others more fully. Those are the threads I have seen throughout my prep work.
2. Write out your goal ideas.
My spirituality, bible reading, prayer, being more open to talk about God with others, uncover more spiritual gems through my study of God’s word, move more, eat healthier, apply godly qualities with my family and strengthen our relationship with God together, being patient in the wait and keep a positive mental outlook on life.
3. Check your goals.
God, myself, family, ministry, mentality, physical health, and others.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Draw closer to our grand creator and make him my best friend, strengthen my relationship with my family, I want to show my appreciation to God and share the good news with others, I want my mindset to reflect Jesus outlook on life, I want to have more energy and strength to better serve God and others. Just a summary or a sparknote version of my goals. In the PS they’re so much more depth to why I choose these goals.
-
on December 31, 2017 at 7:34 am
Going through this series, I realize I have been fearful of setting goals and being purposeful because I don’t want to fail. I don’t want to start something and not follow through. I also always felt like it was selfish of me to dream and plan my way- when God may have something different. I didn’t trust my own heart and mind to make up goals and plan my days. Reacting every day to the things that come my way feels easier than planning and trusting God to be proactive. Digging deep into the good things and bad things has allowed me to step back and really think and dream about what I would love for my life to look like- purposeful, truly doing things that matter to me and not just a list of wishes that would me things perfect. I’m still in the thick of figuring out the exact goals, but Im coming to a better understanding of the importance and how it will impact my family and my relationship with God!
-
on December 31, 2017 at 7:36 am
I’m still trying to figure out my goals, I know two for sure but the other ones I can’t get clear yet. Hoping that going through my Power Sheets some more will help.
-
on December 31, 2017 at 10:23 am
This is my second year with the full-year workbook (I did a couple of 6 months before that), and I love starting the year with a clear vision!
-
on December 31, 2017 at 1:49 pm
Yoga at least 3 times a week
WHY? I want to do yoga 3 times a week because it will teach me discipline in my body, will allow me to grow in an area that’s just for me and see progress in something, it will allow me to grow stronger and healthier this year so that I can invest more physical time into the kids
Schedule the girls I disciple, if I don’t have time figure out what works for us and work with that
WHY?? I want to disciple the girls and do it well so that I answer the unique call God has placed on my life without getting burned out by doing it on my own strength or over doing it.
Weekly intentionally encourage shale and each of the kids
WHY??? I want to encourage them so I am noticing the things I love and adore about them rather than the things that bother me. I want them to know how precious they are to me and God and I want to help them by letting them know where they are doing well.
Write out goals of what I want to save for, plan for one large purchase of something beautiful a month rather than several not beautiful wasteful purchases
WHY?? I want to Write out goals of what I want to save for, plan for one large purchase of something beautiful a month rather than several not beautiful wasteful purchases so that I know what I really want. This way I know things I really love and think are beautiful rather than a lot of smaller purchases that just take up room.
Read the bible in entirety how do I wake up early for this
WHY?? I want to read the entire bible so that I better understand the full story of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit I would love this to become a yearly ritual
Figure out where I personally want to grow, figure out one area and start with that. I can add more as the year goes on if I accomplish this one area
WHY??I want to Figure out where I personally want to grow, figure out one area and start with that. I can add more as the year goes on if I accomplish this one area so that I know what I really want to work on instead of giving into perfectionism and trying to work on everything. I want to have small attainable goals so that I can move forward in areas and finish them rather than a lot of good “starts” and no finishes.
Set small goals for the house and figure out ways I can work towards them
WHY??? I want to Set small goals for the house and figure out ways I can work towards them so that I can know what I really want the house to be like and so that I can feel like I made progress to it. I want to LIVE comfortably in our house and not constantly put off getting things done. -
on December 31, 2017 at 2:44 pm
This process was very helpful. I took some time to really think and pray about what I should pursue in this season. Like Lara says, “you can’t do it all and do it well.” Touche!
-
on December 31, 2017 at 5:44 pm
After rereading, my themes are adventure. Maybe I get bored easily or maybe I just like to experience things, but I like adventure. Even if it is just trying a crazy recipe in my kitchen. And hiding/avoiding. I have made a number of decisions in the last several years to be able to not be found or remembered. It’s not a healthy way to go through life.
Goal ideas:
1. See friends because friends are important. And seeing them usually involves some sort of adventure.
2. Finish a scrapbook because my littles like looking at them and it makes them feel special.
3. Post to FB for my photography because it is time to put my work out there. And it needs to be done regularly to count.
4. Organize my house and day because the mess is driving me nuts. We are no longer forced into a too small house.
5. Take a photography class because I need to decide where to take this very intense hobby.
6. Send greetings because friends don’t know you are thinking about them unless you let them know. -
on December 31, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Yoga at least 3 times a week
Schedule the girls I disciple, if I don’t have time figure out what works for us and work with that
Weekly intentionally encourage shale and each of the kids
Write out goals of what I want to save for, plan for one large purchase of something beautiful a month rather than several not beautiful wasteful purchases
Read the bible in entirety and wake up early for this
Figure out where I personally want to grow, figure out one area and start with that. I can add more as the year goes on if I accomplish this one area
Set small goals for the house and figure out ways I can work towards them -
on January 1, 2018 at 12:54 pm
I may need to rethink my word of the year…or maybe it will actually be an outflow of humility! Confidence Solo. My husband is taking two classes and firming up his own set of goals. It will change the way we have been doing life. There will be less of him around…less for me. I am deeply saddened at the thought of being ALONE. This is a fear, but often where I find myself these days. God is pressing me into ALONENESS so I can be TOGETHER (?) with Him. This hurts! Not the being with Him, but the realization that I cannot have the fellowship with others that I desire. Not having this fellowship has left me alone, pressed into Him, and has freed me from an over-inflated expectation of others, which would often leave me decimated as a person. It has been good, but sooo painful. It is a slippery slope between feeling sorry for myself and standing strong and confident IN Christ. I am so glad God is sovereign and in control or I would have slipped off that precipice already. He is holding on to me when I cannot hold on any longer and collapse into self pity. Humility. Yup. I think that is it! 🙂
-
on January 2, 2018 at 4:26 am
I’ve got 6 goals. Feels a bit overachieving, but I feel moved by God, I can do this! Progress, not perfection!
-
on January 2, 2018 at 9:15 am
Step 10: Review everything again. Rewrite or add, cross things out, add to things, take pins out, use extra paper, get messy
1.) Community, growing, being intentional, time, money, love, focus
2.) Love well in prayer and deed
Steward my time wisely
Create Financial peace and stability
Heal my body
Live with Purpose3.) Check!
4.) Love well so I can instill blessings that last generations
Steward my time wisely because if I create rhythms in my time and meet deadlines, I can make head space for the little things that matter more than “when am I going to load the dishwasher?”
Create financial peace and stability
Why? I can’t continue going on without a budget and plan anymore, running out of money at the end of the month and having to use a credit card. It’s time to get serious with a budget. If things get to a place of peace and stability, we can grow and give and serve more diligently!Heal my body
I want to live my life powerfully for the Kingdom of God without limit and reservation. I don’t want to wonder if I will wake up too sick to move that day. I have been gifted lives to love and steward and I want to do it well, not just turn on the TV because I can’t seem to handle the energy of my children that day. Thank you, Jesus!Live With Purpose.
I did this last year to a certain extent and it was so fulfilling, freeing, and fantastic! I can’t imagine living my life without purpose again. 2016 was the last year without purpose. I want God to drive my life, not me and not aimlessness. I have ROOM for the best things! When my life is planned purposefully, nothing that’s best for me gets passed by, because I can clearly see if it’s right for me and my season or not. I’m not wondering whether I should have said yes. I have confidence in a God who knows my future! -
on January 2, 2018 at 10:37 am
The” why” for my goals comes down to building healthy foundations based on love for myself as part of God’s creation rather than based on “punishing” myself into change because of a sense of shame about how I’m “messing up” or “doing it wrong” or “not enough”…I want to be the best version of myself for my husband, for future children, and to honor God. I will start, step by step, now. Two verses were brought to my attention recently: Luke 2:40 and Luke 2:52…both state that “Jesus grew”…even JESUS had to go through a PROCESS of growth, and so do I – little by little.
-
on January 2, 2018 at 11:38 am
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
-Loving the people in my life
-Meaningful connections
-Feeling energetic and healthy
-Stewarding the things God has given me2. Write out your goal ideas.
-Take care of my body.
-Use my money wisely.
-Build community
-Find a job.
-Simplify what I have.3. Check your goals.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
-Goal: Take care of my body.
-Why: The Lord gave me this body, a vessel for my soul and a vessel to love and live with. I want to steward what He gave me. I also want to be healthy , energetic, and strong so I can move and play with my nieces and nephew for years to come.
-Goal: Use my money intentionally.
-Why: God entrusted me with the money and resources that I have, so I want to steward it carefully, prayerfully, and intentionally. I want to be able to live on my own, pay off my loans, travel, and give generously.
-Goal: Find a job that impacts people and uses my gifts.
-Why: I want to use my gifts and passions to bless others. I want to make a difference in kids’ lives. I don’t know which step is next and I want to follow God as He leads me.
-Goal: Dwell with God and listen to His voice.
-Why: His voice is the one that really matters. So often I seek advice form others and listen to so many voices in the world I want to get quiet and still and really hear God’s voice. I want to live in reckless dependence on Him
-Goal: Love and serve the people God puts in my life.
-Why: I am called to love deeply and unconditionally and live with a servant’s heart. I want to reflect Christ and pour out His love. It’s not always easy to love and serve the ones I live with or the less fortunate.
-Goal: Go deep in my friendships.
-Why: I want to build a community that is genuine, honest, and centered on the gospel. I want to be bale to have deep conversations with my friends where we leave encouraged and challenged, and it all starts with vulnerability.
-Goal: Simplify what I have and live with less.
-Why: People are greater than things. I want to cultivate beautiful, meaningful relationships and memories instead of clutter my life with lots of stuff. I want to be content in Christ and not in things. -
on January 2, 2018 at 11:56 am
Hi, Lara (and Cultivate gals!) 🙂
Happy 2018!
My goal ideas still feel VERY messy right now, but this is what I’ve brainstormed so far…
My focus verse for the year is Mark 12:30. I am writing all of my goals with this verse in mind:
“AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL (life), AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND (thought, understanding), AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.”
With that in mind, here are the goals I’ve brainstormed so far:
– Know God more and trust Him more
Why: I want my pursuit of knowing God to be the center of everything I do. And I know that as I grow in knowledge of Him, my trust and confidence in Him will also grow. I’ve also realized I have been struggling to trust Him with some of my deepest desires (like marriage) and I want to surrender that desire into His Hands this year and TRUST Him to have a good plan for my life and for those desires
-Grow STRONGER (emotionally, physically, and spiritually)
I LOVE what my sweet friend Bailey had to say about this above… ” I want the Lord’s best for my life, and I want to be able to wholeheartedly run after the dreams HE has for my life as best as I can for as long as He calls me to it.”
-Practice praise
Why: Praise is powerful, and I want to make it a more regular part of my life (especially in prayer). “Praise is really the most vital preparatory ministry to the working of the miracles. Miracles are wrought by spiritual power. Spiritual power is always proportioned to our faith.” Dr. Jowett, Streams in the Desert
-Continue to be a good steward of all the blessings, gifts, and margin in my life.
Why: This was one of my 2017 goals, but I feel it’s vitally important that I continue to steward my life and resources for Him. I will have new ways of focusing on this goal this year, but the heart behind it remains the same: to live fully for Him and build His Kingdom, rather than my own. -
on January 2, 2018 at 3:09 pm
1. Dig, peel, look for threads. My MAJOR thread was my calligraphy business. For so long it has just been a hobby that makes me a little money but my writing reflects that it is so much more to me than just a hobby.
In the end of digging my main goal of goals is PRAYER. Prayer is the umbrella over all my goals. If I am not committed to praying for the things I say are most important. . .than are they REALLY most important??2. Gol Ideas: a few of my ideas are: Finish Everyday Watercolor, Take Modern Calligraphy Summit 2.0, partner with 2 photographers this year, do at least 3-4 weddings, begin a prayer journal, travel to Denver, clean out ALL my closets, train our puppy, begin preparing to have a baby, invest in a deep study of God’s Word, be able to run a mile without stopping-then possibly a 5k!
3. Check, most of my goals seem realistic. I definitely need to be more specific with some and really be able to have a solid plan behind them. In the end, a lot of these goals excite me!
4. WHY?! Well as I write I can see that at the root of each thing is a passion of mine. There is something behind it that fires me up. Like the reason I want to take all the classes and be involved in weddings and events is bc I LOVE creating things for people. I love gift-giving and sharing. My relationship with God is the center of everything so I want to invest and cultivate that because I know that if that is healthy and thriving then everything else will come as an overflow.
-
on January 2, 2018 at 3:37 pm
This was an interesting exercise. Again, you have challenged me to dig deeper and because of this I have uncovered that my goals remind me a circle…one goal (if accomplished) leads to my next and (if accomplished) leads to the next, etc.
First, I had about 52 goal “ideas”!!! Then, sifting through them ,realized many were not important for this year but perhaps another season (become a mentor, help animals)…so I next realized many of them could be joined together as one reasonable goal covering a few important tasks, such as
= Take better care of my physical health with more sleep, some exercise, continuing with my diet, so that my body can be a temple and a tool for the Holy Spirit to use me when works needs to be done through me, and so I won’t be weak, tired, or injured.
This goal (if accomplished) leads to
=preparing me for taking better care of my mental health (sleep alone helps a lot there) by creating (anything) for a purpose, have regular quiet time with the Lord to tap in to my gift of intercession and prophecy, journaling to improve gratitude and contentment in my soul and to keep tabs on answered prayers. As well as being obedient with chores, and consistent with discipline .
This will lead to
=being a better wife and mom (more energy, more, margin, more connectedness, more intimacy)
And ultimately lead to
= a full circle goal of expressing and receiving within the home more gratitude, honoring of one another, respecting one another, obedience
…this all supports my word of “give life”…to my soul, to my kids, my marriage, my faith, my home…
I love the why…what stood out to me the most and felt so good to be a pure, genuine feeling was that these are not selfish goals – the *why* is to be available and prepared (ready!) for being put to use by my Heavenly Father when that time comes at exactly His time…and not “oh i’ll Do that when my back doesn’t hurt in a week…or when my house is cleaned first…etc) That was awesome to uncover. Thanks again, Lara! Enjoying each step more than the previous one thus far! -
on January 2, 2018 at 7:18 pm
When I went back to review what I had written I discovered three other things that I want to say “no” to: fear, laziness and shallow love.
I sat a wrote goal ideas for each area of life.
For health my idea is to pursure fun fitness. My reason behind this is because I want to be a good steward of my body. The fun factor helps give me an upfront reason to keep going.
My goal idea for recreation is to intentionally take a sabbath. I feel I can minister and operate better when I am rested. This seems opposite of recreation, but it should be my biggest priority in down time!
My goal idea in the area of friendship is to invest in the mess. Each individual has their own messy life. It is easy to pass by others’ difficult season’s with surcace level greetings. I want to be a friend that is safe for others to come to when things get tough.
In the area of finances I want to act in faith that God will move mountains. It is easy for me to get stingy when finances are tight, but I am not much of a believer when I refuse to trust God to do what He says He will do. He is the only one that can move the mountains.In the area of family I wrote to trust and believe in the future because God has good plans for our family. It is hard for me to trust, but I want to grow in this.
For spiritual and personal growth I would like to pray daily. This seems silly, but I am not the best pray-er. And I want to be! When I am 80 I want to be a prayer warrior. My soul needs me to connect with my creator and if I keep track of all of this in my journal is gives me a great place to review later.
At work I woulf like to lead with humility and truth. I can be incredibly prideful, but I am called to know the truth in humility. Finally in my marriage I want to plan intentional dates with my husband each week. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but our marriage deserves the investment of intentionality!
There you have it, my ideas. I wasn’t sure if I needed them for each of these areas, but I figured it would be a great starting place! -
on January 2, 2018 at 11:40 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads. My threads are to hunker down and make my family life healthier. Starting with myself and Christ.
2. Write out your goal ideas. I have a bunch floating in my powersheets right now- but a big one is for my “quiet time,” my health, my marriage, and heart time with my kids.
3. Check your goals. Done
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea. Wrote this out in my powersheets!
-
on January 3, 2018 at 10:50 am
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads:
The thread I found was wanting to cultivate my family – all the goals I created somehow connect to loving/supporting/serving my familySteps 2/3/4. Write out goal ideas, check, add my WHY
– Grow in my faith
WHY: Because Jesus has to be #1 for everything else to work– Love Hubby well
WHY: Because he deserves to be loved deeply, fiercely, and tirelessly every single day-Love Baby Girl well
WHY: Because she has been entrusted to me so I can teach her how to love-Develop realistic wellness routines
WHY: Because I can’t give from an empty cup– Limit time-wasting activities
WHY: Because when I’m 80, I want to look back on a life well spent– Cultivate our home
WHY: Because our home is the physical foundation of our family-Build my blog and website
WHY: Because it’s the first (scary) step to putting myself out there as a health coach, and sharing what I have to offer with the world– Cultivate my business offering
WHY: Because Jesus has called me into this new career to bless others and help them live healthier, more intentional livesI checked my goals in prayer. I’ve spent quite a long time working through my goals for this year, and I think what I’ve ended up with is focused on blessing others with my life. I’m so ready for what’s ahead!!
-
on January 3, 2018 at 12:43 pm
This year my main goal is to treat my family better, create space in my life so that I don’t get stressed out and react, but I want to be intentional and treat them as fellow heirs of grace. 💛
-
on January 3, 2018 at 4:36 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
– My threads seemed to be confidence, simplicity and longing for God.2. Write out your goal ideas.
– DONE. and I made a MESS, it felt so freeing.3 & 4.
Cultivate Confidence
Why: I want to be confident because this affects my choices, attitude and shapes who I am. This goal will help me move into the harder things, the bigger leaps and the better life.Create a life-giving home
Why? Because homes are where life happens, lessons are learned and people are loved. Legacy starts at home.Live WELL.
Why? I need to take care of myself mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually so that I can love and minister to others well.Love Jesus passionately
Why? When he is number one, all else falls into place.Make wise financial choices
Why? Because God gave us every dollar that we have, and I want to honor him with them.Love my husband well.
Why? Because he is my number 2, and my life partner. He is a part of my legacy. -
on January 3, 2018 at 5:38 pm
Step 10: Goal Ideas
-make time for myself (WHY: because I need to take care of myself if I want to be able to fully take care of others)
– once a week or a couple times a month
– don’t feel guilty about it
– take care of myself-be consistent with cultivating our home (WHY: because my husband and my children deserve a life filled with love, peace, and joy)
– find a routine that works for us and commit to it
– make financial stability a priority
– create peace, rest, and joy-grow (WHY: to focus on what is truly important and to learn to see it in myself all the time)
– spiritually, make time for God each day
– read and study, in depth, one book of the Bible each month
– read one book each month (for fun)-make friends (this sounds so lame, but it’s really a goal, a huge one) (WHY: it takes a village, it’s important to have friends to talk to who are in the same situation as you)
– accept the fact that we won’t be anywhere near family anymore and make friends
– accept help, it takes a village and I need to create a new village since we are leaving ours -
on January 4, 2018 at 12:01 pm
I definitely saw themes in my goals after I wrote out my yes and no list. It was clear I want to focus on loving others, since I think my past year or so I had really been focusing on loving myself (which was needed!) but now it’s time to look outward! I have filled myself up and now it’s time to invest in relationships that will matter when I’m 80!!
-
on January 4, 2018 at 2:06 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
– The biggest thread was making small adjustments to my life schedule to allow margin for things I want to do outside of work. In addition, I’m struggling with be content in the place in which God has me in this season of life and looking at my attitude in the midst of that.2. Write out your goal ideas.
1. Be home more in the evenings to allow time to run, read, and cook more. And to make SURE my quiet time happens.
2. Emphasis on Scripture memory and prayer. (How can I remember song lyrics from middle school but not Scripture?!)
3. Investing in relationships–focus on time with roommates and small group/college friends, dig into deeper conversations with my boyfriend as we begin to map out the future.a3. Check your goals.
In process4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
In process but primarily because I don’t want to live with regret when I’m 80 about not using my time on this earth well. -
on January 4, 2018 at 7:39 pm
I am still working out the logistics (what will be yearly goals and what will fall more into monthly check-ins), but I would like to focus on creating and implementing a morning routine that will remain consistent, as well as creating a circle of friends who will hold me accountable for staying on top of long-term projects.
-
on January 6, 2018 at 9:07 am
Get closer with God( WHY: He is the only way that I will be able to do anything important in this life.
Cultivate my home (WHY: this is where my family lives and they should feel a sense of safety, refuge, and space to be free. I want to create that kind of space
Build my finance: (WHY: when I’m 80 I want to have lived a full life without the limitations because I didn’t take care of my finances and can’t live my BEST LIFE!
Spend time with myself (WHY: because I matter!! I will not be able to give to anyone else if I don’t strength myself
Be a better Social Worker (WHY: I want to feel that I have given my very best to each child that I come in contact with. Knowing my stuff helps me to feel confident in doing my job.
Be present with everything I do (WHY: the time in invest with my loved ones build memories that last when I’m 80 years old to reflect one. It’s not going to matter that I worked extra hours but it will matter that I had time to play barbie with my daughter, that I watched movies with my sons, and that dinner time was a place to talk about all the crazy things that happen in our lives to make it beautiful. -
on January 7, 2018 at 1:58 pm
To be content with where I am in life
It might be hard but you can do it
To live in every moment
To listen to everyone
I can make a difference in someone life even if it something as simple as just telling them that they mater and have a purpose.
My family is always growing in so many amazing ways.
I learned how to let go of two sisters and watch them start their families -
on January 7, 2018 at 2:32 pm
I want to earn 2 promotions within my company. I want to set up and utilize a Command Central within my home, in order to keep my life more organized. And I want to de-clutter every room in my house.
-
on January 7, 2018 at 4:18 pm
Love reading my 2017 Powersheets and learning from that journey.
-
on January 7, 2018 at 8:55 pm
1. Digging: I continue to note that I feel stuck. I need to find ways to take steps towards cultivating personal and professional growth even in this season of waiting.
2. Goal Ideas: Finding a new job that is life-giving and purposeful is huge! I love what I do, but I can’t help feeling like there is more for me out there. Wow!! So cheesy!!!!
3. Check Your Goals: I feel confident that my goals are attainable. If I set out reasonable steps for myself, I can uncover the next chapter in my life!
4. WHY: I want to do something with my life that has purpose. When I am 80, I want to feel I contributed to something that matters.
-
on January 7, 2018 at 11:00 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
My thread was that good things can’t grow without water, sunshine and healthy soil. We are running around on empty around here and my health, relationship with Jesus and recreation need some nourishment!
2. Write out your goal ideas.
Grow with Jesus
Allow myself to take care of my needs too. Have fun!
Feed my body with good food and movement3. Check your goals. Check!
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Grow with Jesus. – So that everything else can happen. So I have enough strength to be the wife and mom and friend that I want to be. Because it’s worth everything.Feed my body- Neglecting myself really hurts the whole family. It’s not selfish to take time for breakfast and go the gym 3 times a week.
Have fun! If I’m having fun, then my family is too.
-
on January 8, 2018 at 2:39 am
1. The threads I’m noticing are self-care, prayer, and eliminating distractions.
2. Goal ideas: go to bed on time, exercise daily, eat healthfully, pray and read Scriptures daily, cut out distractions that interfere with homeschooling.
3. They are healthy goals that are worthwhile.
4. Go to bed on time – if I get enough sleep I will be healthier and more productive
exercise daily – it will help my chronic health issues
-
on January 8, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Steps for Step 10:
1. Dig under the surface for more layers. Review & add.I found threads of using key phrases and value messages. Most of them led to areas of letting go (via pre-deciding activities and what I won’t do and with regards to thought cycles). What also came to the surface often was steady. Not as a word in the goals, but as a theme. Steady and forward. It’s how I feel led to proceed each day in the various areas of life. When discouragement tempts, because I did something I didn’t want to do, I can choose to get up again and move forward at a steady pace.
2. write out goal ideas. LOTS of goal ideas have been written on stickies, on the pages, and in other notebooks. In the past I’ve chosen a few goals but they weren’t ones I was read to work on. I’m spending time in prayer this week as my goals continue to be fine-tuned. This way, I can move forward at a steady pace and let go of the things I don’t need to focus on in the next season.
3. Check your goals. When I did this I realized a trend of goals I didn’t like. It’s caused me to step back and re-evaluate again so my goals include more of what’s important to me beyond work.
4. Why? A lot of my goals have to do with gaining clarity so I can move forward in a sustainable way. They have to do with longevity. Also, with health in mind, body, and soul. Understanding why helped me notice when my goals were out of whack and not in line with what I truly value.
-
on January 9, 2018 at 1:39 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
This step took me much longer than I had expected and was just so valuable ! I noticed threads of goodness, family/community, and intentional personal growth throughout.2. Write out your goal ideas.
Goal ideas!
1) Make time to regularly trail run and weight train.
2) Meditate/pray for at least 5 min each morning before my girls wake up.
3) Limit my phone use to specific times each day (phone as a tool, not distraction).
4) Spend most evenings in quality time with my husband (“hobby time”) instead of TV.
5) Listen to the Bible daily.
6) Invest in honing my newfound love of calligraphy.3. Check your goals. Checked!
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
1) WHY: to continue to cultivate health, ease my back pain, and teach my daughters healthy activity by example.
2) WHY: to cultivate my sense of dependence on the Lord, to calm my frantic mind and start our mornings peacefully centered.
3) WHY: to cultivate intentional presence with my daughters and people I come into contact with throughout the day.
4) WHY: to cultivate our marriage, our friendship, and our passions.
5) WHY: to saturate my thoughts with the Word throughout the day, to be uplifted and spiritually oriented, especially during this season when I can’t easily sit down and read (young children!)
6) WHY: to cultivate a culture of creativity and beauty in our home, to practice bravery and show my daughters that learning new things can be fun! -
on January 9, 2018 at 10:26 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
I skipped making a vision board when you asked us to in a previous step. So, when I saw the empty page when I was reviewing, I thought I should at least give it a thought. (I was definitely afraid to dream big). I used Pinterest and created a board I LOVE (and am excited to keep refining). It has really inspired me again to keep digging through the dirt. (By the beginning of these steps, I was sick of all the work and ready to get to the tending sheets!)
2. Write out your goal ideas.
1) Pursue wellness for myself (and not simply to combat infertility)
2) Grow a Christ-centered, simpler, and more minimalistic home.
3) Prioritize creativity & learning in spinning, dying, weaving, & knitting.
4) Connecting with friends nearby and far away.
5) Cultivating intimacy and trust in my marriage.
6) Slowing down and making time for true rest
7) Use my oil business to share my story and care for & connect women.
8) Cultivate & care for an uplifting and encouraging women’s environment in the campus ministry I work for.
9) Continue to grow my relationship with and trust of the Lord.3. Check your goals. – DONE! (This was super helpful because I actually reworded and revised some of them to get at what actually matters about the thing I want to do!)
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
1) I want the physical ability to do the things I want to in life. I want to feel strong! I want to heal physical things that may be affecting my emotions.
2) I want to create a physical environment that points my family and those who visit my home towards God. I want to cultivate contentment and beauty in my home.
3) I feel most like myself when I am dreaming & creating. I want to actually spend my time making things, rather than scrolling and just looking at beautiful things.
4) I am craving relationships with other women. And I need to make them happen rather than just waiting for them to happen.
5) I never want to stop growing my marriage. I need to be intentional about this this year because the initial excitement is wearing off, but I want to make sure I continue to focus on loving Ben well.
6) I struggle with this a lot and I know it would help to calm anxious emotions. I need to trust that it is not a waste of time to rest. I want to be free from feeling like it all depends on me to get it all done.
7) I want to connect women to resources and community that will serve them. I want to save money for and adoption someday. Also, this really excites me!
8) This is my job, but I want to make sure I am focusing on this part of my job and not the planning/administrative parts. Building a women’s community is why I do what I do and I want to keep that in the front of my mind.
9) Following the Lord & trusting him is the most important part of my life and I want my actions, interior life, and prayer life to reflect that. -
on January 10, 2018 at 11:34 pm
Step #10 Analyzing every goal through the *WHY?* glass adds another level of intentionality to the whole process. I enjoyed this refining process. I feel at peace with my goals. Thank you for the guidance 😊!
-
on January 12, 2018 at 6:27 am
Step Ten:
1. Review everything you’ve written again, and look for the threads.2. Write out your goal ideas:
Bible reading a year / daily habits to stick to in home / weekday vegetarian / train for and compete in ‘Goofy’ race in Jan 2019 / Birthday cards! / Celebrate and commit to traditions / Clear clutter to make SPACE3. Check your goals.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea:
Reading the bible in a year: connect with God, grow my faith / Stick to daily habits in home: to become a better version of myself, to take full advantage of the one life I am given, to serve the purpose God has for me / Weekday Vegetarian: to take better care of my body and my family’s health, to be a good steward of the earth / Train for and compete in ‘Goofy’ race: invest in my health, stress relief, consistency in an inconsistent season of life / Birthday cards: to shower others with love / Celebrate and commit to traditions: to have a joy filled home, to center our celebrations around christ / Clear clutter to make SPACE: to make space for priorities that matter
-
on January 12, 2018 at 3:13 pm
After digging through again and writing out goal ideas, I saw that my goals felt rather ambiguous … but all came back to the idea of STAYING and embracing the mess. My habits in the past have been to find NEW goals and new ideas every time anything feels messy or hard. So, my goals this year are:
1. STAY in my faith; to stay in the mess and challenge of following Christ BECAUSE “Where else can I go? You alone, Lord, have the WORDS OF LIFE>” — John 6:68
2. STAY in my marriage — because TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE
3. STAY in mothering, because “Children are not a distraction from more important work; they are the most important work.” C.S. Lewis
4. STAY focused on personal health and growth, on simple choices daily that make a big difference — BECAUSE I cannot pour out what I do not have
5. STAY investing in our home… because I want my children to consider our home a safe place, a place of trust, a place where they and we can be refreshed
6. STAY in the mundane and practical — potty training two girls, introducing household chores for our son, personal finances, and evaluating church involvement — because practical things matter to foster a meaningful life and future.
7. STAY in homeschooling BECAUSE we have the opportunity to have the greatest influence in our children’s lives, to help shape them to be lead by the Spirit and not just another by product of the world’s educational system
8. STAY in my business — don’t quit! Because it is a practical means of providing for my family while staying at home, int his season
9 BONUS GOAL — relationships/friendships — how can I refocus and let go of the elusive idea of being friends with everyone to cultivate a few fruitful friendships? BECAUSE I cannot do this alone
10 BONUS GOAL — powersheets 2019 — begin to cultivate ground for a local Powersheets group for next year, because I love powersheets and want to connect with and support other women local who are interested in transforming the way they set goals and seek change!
-
on January 16, 2018 at 11:42 pm
MY BIGGEST GOALS
1: Develop daily disciplines ( reading the WORD, reading, filling MY cup so I can pour in to others) — because I cannot pour from an empty cup and right now I am depleted. I deserve better and so does my family.
2: Have more fun. I am a task-oriented perfectionist and I want to be more deliberate about cultivating friendships and doing things for pure enjoyment (hobbies, road trips, friend-dates, etc). Because again, this will allow me to take a break and pour back in to my soul … so that I am refreshed and encouraged and can be a more life-giving wife and mom.
3: Reach a promotion in my company that would allow up to pay off ALL debts this year and allows us to save and give without limits. Right now we are enslaved by debt and it has created quite the strain on meeting basic monthly needs, and what we get to do for fun as a family.
-
on January 17, 2018 at 12:17 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
To be content with what God decides is best and with what I have. To be uncomfortable in my sin and not seek comfortableness (is that a word? haha). To be joyful in the sacrifice.2. Write out your goal ideas.
daily prayer/scripture
daily time with my hubby and each kid (3!) and begin the process of discipling my children
hospitality
Life giving home including homeschool well – continuing my own education and teaching that God is above all and that is why we learn.
cultivate my creativity – use my talents to glorify god and to bless others
pay off debt and save3. Check your goals.
in progress4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
I don’t want to wish I had done things differently when i’m 80 -
on January 17, 2018 at 12:18 pm
I encouraged my best friend by sending her a line from the book I’m reading!
-
on January 18, 2018 at 9:32 am
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
– The biggest thread was looking at the changes I have made over the last year and realizing I need to celebrate those more. I need to yield my spirit to God more and do the work and celebrate. And to celebrate with others, to build a community even though we move often. I need to say yes to people.2. Write out your goal ideas.
health, spending time in the Word, marriage, mothering, creativity, building community, a house of joy, and building my business to encourage even more mothers to enjoy motherhood.3. Check your goals.
I waited a long time to write them, I prayed and ran and feel liked I am saying Yes to what God wants right now.4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Done– it all comes back to a life well lived in and my light shining bright and not hiding due to fear. -
on January 19, 2018 at 2:33 pm
1. The thread I see when I look back through everything I’ve written is the craving for stillness, peace and good habits. I see that what I truly want is the stability that only comes from the Lord. So in moving forward in 2018, I want to have goals for moving towards that. Because I will not achieve any stability apart from the Lord and I will fail if I don’t put Him first.
2. Goal Ideas:
-Read more Scripture-why? I want to read the Bible in a year. My day should begin and end in the Word and that is what I want my heart to meditate on, not things of this world.
-Read in general-why? I used to read all the time. And then getting older, for some reason it has fallen away. So I want to get back into it.
-Healthy choices-why? This encompasses so many things that I want to incorporate. Choosing reading over Netflix, moving over sitting, etc.-
on January 19, 2018 at 2:39 pm
3 and 4.
When I went back through and checked everything, my word for the year just kept popping up. I am learning that everything we do has a purpose. If we are believers, we know this to be a fact. We know that the Lord uses everything in our lives for our good and His glory. That’s why I chose the word “Intentional.” Because knowing that the Lord is intentional in how He loves me and guides my life, why would I not be intentional with how I live my life? Therefore, I desire for all of my goals for 2018 to be intentional. And not just intentional for me, but for everyone I encounter; to better love my Heavenly Father, my husband, my neighbors, etc.I’m so excited about this year and this whole process that you have written out for us, Lara! It’s really helped me feel better about 2018, instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything.
-
-
on January 19, 2018 at 4:08 pm
I had so many goal ideas when I started thinking about them, and your questions really helped me narrow them down and figure out the real “why” behind my ideas. I feel like I am going to be able to start out strong instead of feeling overwhelmed and inadequate before I even begin!
-
on January 19, 2018 at 9:01 pm
Step 1 – Review all the work done prior and look for threads – my threads were growth in relationships – and work on those with attention and labor
Step 2 – Write out my goals
1. Cultivate my relationship with God
2. Cultivate my relationship with Scott by loving him well
3. Cultivate my relationship with Peyton by pouring kindness, faith, self-control, love, confidence and discipline into her
4. Cultivate a healthy life by eating well, exercising, and allowing time for self-care and recharging.Step 3. Check my goals – I did have some other things listed as goals but I realized that these weren’t necessarily goals but ways to recharge and be able to meet my stronger goals
Step 4. Why’s for each goal
1. By fostering my faith in God, I will be strong and confident in other areas of my life with the ability to pour into others with kindness, humbleness and genorisity.
2. By loving my husband well, I will create a harmonious home life and partnership to persevere to the end of our life – till death do us part.
3. By feeding into Peyton’s life, I will build a compassionate, loving, faithful, God fearing daughter that will do great things in the world.
4. In order to meet these goals, I need to be healthy – mentally, physically and spiritually. I must feed my mind, body and soul with good and positive energy.Wow – so amazing to actually write this out – I can’t wait to see the progress I make through the year. How exciting to have a focus and direction instead of just the plain jane new year’s resolutions!!!
-
on January 21, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Better late than never, RIGHT??? Slowly but surely…I have been working on these!! So here are the ideas I have and the WHYS:
– Go on a date with my husband at least once a month and go on at least one getaway this year. WHY? To help us stay connected in the busyness of life. To cultivate our marriage.
– Spend one-on-one time with each of the three boys throughout the month. WHY? To give them my undivided attention; to connect with each child in their own special way; to fill their emotional/love tank
– Have a no internet/electronic day each week. WHY? To keep my perspective and focus; to say no to comparison; time management; to give more important things my attention
– Set a specific block of time during the day that I can look at social media. WHY? To keep my perspective and focus; to say no to comparison; time management; to give more important things my attention
– Create a “curfew” for my phone. WHY? To keep my perspective and focus; to say no to comparison; time management; to give more important things my attention
– Have someone over to the house at least once a month. WHY? To cultivate friendships with others; to use the gift of our home
– Write at least two blog posts a month. WHY? To share the message God has placed on my heart with others; to help others; to minister and encourage
– Keep a prayer journal throughout the year. WHY? I can’t do anything else on this list if I don’t pray!
– Start going to National Parks and keep record in a National Park Passport. WHY? To cultivate memories as a family
– Buy/build a new house with four bedrooms. WHY? To have the ability to do respite foster care; parents/grandparents feel more welcome to come stay; more space; ability/freedom to invite more guests;
– Become an affiliate (on my blog) to at least three places. WHY? To sustain the costs of the blog; supporting businesses that I believe in
– Do something for myself at least once a month. WHY? I need to make sure I am taking care of myself; I love and care from my overflowPS – I encouraged a friend by calling her!
-
on January 23, 2018 at 11:08 am
I am thrilled at the idea that I can get organized in one place with all my thoughts, plans, and most importantly my goals. Thank you for the motivation to keep me better on track.
-
on January 23, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Here are my 2018 goals:
1. Love my family well – vibrant, soul-filled marriage and joy-filled kids
2. Simplify our home/lifestyle
3. Simplify our keepsakes
4. Rest & retreat – meditation, prayer, mindfulness, taking care of my body through nutrition & fitness
5. Thoughtfully planned photography business – defined parameters & desired outcomesWhat I love about these goals is that they aren’t SMART, but the action steps I’ve created from them to do each quarter are. It makes them seem so much more attainable. I am so excited to go after quarterly goals instead of monthly goals this year. It takes the pressure off, especially when adding another little one to our family in a few weeks. These goals all align with the legacy I want to leave, which is so much more important than productivity to me now!
-
on January 23, 2018 at 11:53 pm
Day 4
Stengthen areas of my life:
Health-exercise, eating better
Why-take care of the bird God have us. We are the Tenple of God. I want to be healthy when I’m old.
Finances-get rid of debt, have financial cushion
Why-because God dos not want us to be a debtor. It reduces stress. It will free up money for helping others, travel etc.
Marriage-spend more time with Chris-exercise, Bible study
Why-He deserves my time. To make our marriage strong.
Organize house-library, closets.
Why-to move my things out of Mom and Dad’s house. So I don’t buy things I already have. Less stress because I will know where things are.
Me time-albums, planners, reading.
Why- to refuel me. To give me a chance for creative outlet. -
on January 24, 2018 at 11:20 am
Goals:
1. Share FREEDOM with my communities. I have the opportunity in March to speak on the topic of Living in the freedom of Christ’s victory in 3 different venues. I’m excited–and I am inspired to create a “gallery” of scripture, quotes, questions, images to help those in attendance ponder and pray on how God wants to move them into more freedom in their life. It’s a HUGE undertaking, but I have already completed the first few steps and I’m feeling set-up for success!
2. Cultivate healthy habits. I signed up for an e-course on implementing healthy habits (starting with super small “seed” habits. I’ve been following along and doing well already!
3. Feed my spirit and soul with consistent time with God.
4. Connect intentionally with my husband. (Schedule monthly faith, finance , fun dates each month)
5. Savor each day. This can look different each day–but my main idea is to be intentional about being present with my family, and then, taking time each evening to reflect and celebrate what I accomplished.I love that these aren’t all SMART goals, but they are inspirational–then I can take them and use my monthly tending list to set some monthly SMART goals. 🙂
-
on January 24, 2018 at 11:23 am
Goals:
1. Share FREEDOM with my communities. I have the opportunity in March to speak on the topic of Living in the freedom of Christ’s victory in 3 different venues. I’m excited–and I am inspired to create a “gallery” of scripture, quotes, questions, images to help those in attendance ponder and pray on how God wants to move them into more freedom in their life. It’s a HUGE undertaking, but I have already completed the first few steps and I’m feeling set-up for success!
2. Cultivate healthy habits. I signed up for an e-course on implementing healthy habits (starting with super small “seed” habits. I’ve been following along and doing well already!
3. Feed my spirit and soul with consistent time with God.
4. Connect intentionally with my husband. (Schedule monthly faith, finance , fun dates each month)
5. Savor each day. This can look different each day–but my main idea is to be intentional about being present with my family, and then, taking time each evening to reflect and celebrate what I accomplished.I love that these aren’t all SMART goals, but they are inspirational–then I can take them and use my monthly tending list to set some monthly SMART goals. 🙂
-
on January 24, 2018 at 11:28 am
1. I dug some more and uncovered a lot of self doubt. Some of it is good because now I know I have to believe in myself to accomplish my goals, but I also know I need to believe in grace for myself.
2. I have way too many goals to write out here, but I’ll write my first ten that I put on my “Brainstorm” page.
-Read the bible daily
-Pray daily
-Lose __pounds (I’m not going to say how much haha)
-Read 200 books
-Write 1 short story a week
-Read 1 poetry book, &1 Christian book a week
-Save $
-Do my daily chore chart
-Plan a date once a month
-Exercise 5 times a week, walk on weekends
3. These first ten were mainly ones I feel pretty good about, and they reflect a lot of things that are important to me. I do want to write more, but I think one short story a week in this season of life is just too much. Also I chose not to focus on finances in a huge way although saving small amounts (especially for Christmas) has definitely found its way onto my tending lists.
4. These are the WHYs of each of those goals
-Reading and praying daily: WHY? To bring my closer to God which is the most important thing
-Lose weight and exercise 5 times a week and walk on weekends: WHY?I want to be healthier and more energetic to get things I want done, done. I want to feel more confident about my body.
-Read 200 books, including one book of poetry, and one Christian book. WHY? Reading is relaxing and I’m a more joyful person when I can do it. Also I want to spend more of my free time NOT watching TV, so I am trying to read in larger quantities. Poetry is important for me, and I have a Christian book book club so if I can read those books it will help me build my friendships.
-Save Money WHY? We want to eventually get to the point where we are secure enough to be able to see family (especially the ones across the country) and travel when we like, and have enough left over to be generous in our giving.
-Do daily chores: WHY? It’s really important for me to have a clean living space. I want to create a beautiful home for my husband, and I feel so much more peaceful in a clean house. Also I feel more confident inviting people over.
-Plan a date once a month: WHY? We worked so hard last year, that we didn’t get a lot of quality time together. Our marriage is strong, but I don’t want to just glide by. I want to invest in it to keep it strong. I want time together without screens distracting us. -
on January 25, 2018 at 11:07 am
These posts are changing me! Love the mindset they’re getting me into as I start this new year!
1. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
I loved reviewing (i’m going to have to review a few more times to uncover everything!)2. Write out your goal ideas.
Live in financial freedom
Invest in my family with joy
Grow my prayer life
Serve my friends3. Check your goals.
This was super helpful step to make sure I’m doing it for the right reasons.4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
Live in financial freedom – so that I can be prepared for the future and give well
Invest in my family with joy – stronger and healthier relationships. To build them up.
Grow my prayer life – strengthen my relationship with God. So i can be joyful!
Serve my friends – to share God’s love with them. Appreciate and love them well. -
on January 27, 2018 at 4:39 pm
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads.
I reviewed a few weeks ago when I went thru this blog post the first time and I’ve found throughout this first month that continuing to review is SUCH a great thing. Reminding myself of my Why and my big picture is critical!2. Write out your goal ideas.
-health- caring for my body
-marriage- cultivate intentional pursuit of husband
-spiritual- grow in spiritual disciplines
-spiritual- discover true freedom in Christ3. Check your goals.
Done! I think all these things definitely get me closer to where I want to be when I’m 80 and allow me to leave a legacy that matters!4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea.
-health- I want to be used by God in any capacity and able to physically follow through on his callings, also for general confidence and more energy!!
-marriage- I want to still be in love after my kids are grown and gone.
-spiritual disciplines- be more like Jesus!!
-spiritual freedom- experience new depths of his love and grow in my relationship with him -
on January 29, 2018 at 4:54 pm
1. threads of needing peace and strength and hope
2. wrote all about them here: https://alphabetresolutions.com/2018/01/03/my-seven-goals-for-2018-and-how-im-starting-work-on-them-this-month/
3. My goals check out! so grateful for all the prep work for keeping me focused and calling me out on goals set for the wrong reasons.
4. Did this! Some of them are more private but a theme running through them came back to my word of the year- Endure and how to cultivate what endures. Also my kids and wanting to leave them a legacy of health and spirituality and good memories came up a ton
-
on January 29, 2018 at 6:27 pm
Love reading this series each year! I have truly learned how to change life changing goals ! I am excited for 2018 !!
-
on January 29, 2018 at 6:46 pm
1 – I made some things more doable. For example, instead of a personal retreat for me twice a year, I c hanged it to once/year. 2 & 4 goals and whys: 1-monthly family dinner on calendar, get ideas for guys weekend/outing, get ideas for girls weekend/outing, ask for suggestions and help finding a place for a family vacation the last week of August. Why? To establish regular interaction with my children out of the nest, family memories, & foster closeness and unity. 2-Go to bed by 11pm and get up by 8am. Why? So I will be more rested and able to perservere and be intentional as a mom, homeschool teacher, wife, & homemaker. 3 – Order Dinner A’Fare once/month or every other month. Why? It will determine 12 meals for me and aid me in being more intentional as the meal provider. #3 – Check your goals:; I have done this as I am going through everything again to type it in here. Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” This verse goes along with my word “intentionality”.
-
on January 29, 2018 at 7:23 pm
I have LOVED this series. I feel like this along with power sheets have really helped me to narrow down my focus for goals and things to be intentional with in 2018.
My goals:
1. Be intentional in my leadership roles this year (BSF/Community Group/Church). They are a priority. Give it good time. Invest.
2. Help Olivia (My two year old) grow in intelligence and social skills.
3. Feed Bella (My 9 month old) Make her food and nurse her until she turns 1. (We are only 3 months away! This has been such an accomplishment for me!)
4. Move 2-3 times each week (walk with the girls, workout, play. Just get moving!)
5. Work with my husbands and stick to our budget for at least 6 months. (This is a goal we have set together!)
6. Love my tribe (My family and community) foster hospitality and a ‘lived in’ environment in our home. -
on January 29, 2018 at 7:30 pm
I have LOVED this series. I feel like this along with power sheets have really helped me to narrow down my focus for goals and things to be intentional with in 2018.
1. I have DUG and DUG.
2.and 4. My goals + My Why
1. Be intentional in my leadership roles this year (BSF/Community Group/Church). Why – They are a priority. God has allowed me to be in these roles and I want to do them well. I want to live with eternity in mind and this is a way to point people to Jesus.
2. Help Olivia (My two year old) grow in intelligence and social skills. She is growing so quickly. I want her to be able to grow and be intentional with her specifically now while i am home with her.
3. Feed Bella (My 9 month old) Make her food and nurse her until she turns 1. (We are only 3 months away! This has been such an accomplishment for me!) Why – She needs to eat! Nursing her is something that I can do for her to increase her health and save my family money.
4. Move 2-3 times each week (walk with the girls, workout, play. Just get moving!) Why – Exercise is important for our health. I have not been good at moving, but I want my girls to know that its important so I need to live it!
5. Work with my husbands and stick to our budget for at least 6 months. (This is a goal we have set together!) Why – we want to save for a van and pay off student loans.
6. Love my tribe (My family and community) foster hospitality and a ‘lived in’ environment in our home.Why – I have been given margin in my schedule/time right now. I want to use it for the glory of God and point people to Him!3. Checked and re-checked! These are things God has laid on my heart and I am so excited to focus on them this year.
-
on January 29, 2018 at 9:22 pm
Your turn! Todays Goal Uncovering Steps:
1. I’ve been digging all month— LOVING the Powersheets and this series!
2. Write out your goal ideas: eat healthy (why? To have healthier choices now that impact me long-term!), make and tend to a blog (why? Maybe to have a creative outlet and find my voice?), give myself space for being creative (why? So that I stop saying “I’m not creative” every time something creative comes up, simplify things (why? So i stop wasting time over-thinking and re-analyzing), be intentional with my spending and my saving (why? Again, more long-term benefits that come from this one!), learn more (why? so that I stop feeling so behind on things!), be on my phone less (why? To be more present!!)
3. Check your goals— I really liked getting lots of ideas down on paper before solidifying anything!
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea… Listed up above!!
-
on January 29, 2018 at 9:59 pm
1. What stuck out to me: I really need to set limits with technology, specifically with social media to make space to really, actually cultivate what matters to me in my life. I keep complaining about not having time, but why am I not spending my snippets of time reading part of a chapter of a book or reading part of a chapter of the Bible or praying a Psalm. I find myself only wanting to spend big chunks of time on my goals, but as a stay-at-home mom, I don’t have that many big chunks of time. But I do have people and goals that take up big parts of my life. I need to give them as much time as I am able, in whatever form that time happens to come right now.
2. Goal ideas: Finish my thesis. Read through the Bible chronologically in a year. Do a Bible study. Memorize Galatians. Read. Pray. Lose weight. Work on my marriage. Be more fun and funny. Cultivate potential friendships. Figure out what recreation looks like in my life.
3. Check your goals. Losing weight isn’t going to work for a goal because it’s simply chasing perfect. I need to broaden this to getting healthy, healthfully, or taking care of myself. I don’t know that I have time to do a Bible study the way that I want to and meet the deadline of finishing my thesis and reading the Bible in its entirety for myself. I think I need to let that one go for now.
4. My whys: To know my God better. To abide with my God. To surrender my kingdom to His. To transform and renew my mind. To meditate on the Word and make it part of me. To finish. To love my family well. To love my husband well. To set forth a tangible picture of God’s love for the Church. To image my God. To be joyful. To bless others! To disciple our children. To live on mission. To make space for cultivating what I’ve been given–what really matters.
-
on January 29, 2018 at 10:07 pm
Last year was my first year using power sheets. While I think they were awesome, and I saw progress, I definitely didn’t dig deep into goals. I set too many and I’m not certain I was genuinely motivated for each. This year I’ve set fewer, ive already fallen behind on my Bible reading and tending list, but I feel more bought in. This year is a pivotal year for me, and I’m excited!
-
on January 29, 2018 at 10:27 pm
Here are a couple of my goals and my whys:
1. Embrace the full potential of God’s greatness by praying big, “impossible” prayers – because prayer is a powerful action step that I am undervaluing and underutilizing.
2. Serve and support my family and friends well while maintaining margin, because if I am able to do this well, then very little else matters. It is important that I do this with margin so that service doesn’t become burdensome.
3. Establish and participate in high-yield routines and traditions – because incorporating additional “automation” into my life will make creating margin easier so that I can serve others better.
4. Engineer and implement simplicity systems – because these will allow me to spend time on what matters, with people and not with “stuff.”
5. Strength my financial literacy and responsibility – because I’m still young and want to take advantage of the fact that time (i.e. compounding interest) is on my side so that I can steward God’s financial blessings well and create a legacy for my future family.
-
on January 31, 2018 at 5:11 pm
1) My relationship with God: because He is all . I find my strength and my joy when I focus on Him.
2) My relationship with my husband, because this is 30 years of marriage . I need to give him my best.
3)My time….to focus on what matters and live each day with purpose.
4)My health, because I will be turning 54 and need to stay well to continue to be active.
5) Finances: because I worry to much about money. I need to finish paying off debt to help relieve the stress.
6) Reading, because there are so many books to read for information to grow as a person. -
on January 31, 2018 at 10:29 pm
Well I somehow missed that yesterday was the deadline for the giveaway… thought it was today. Oh well. I’m posting my answers anyway. 🙂
1. Dig under the surface and peel back more layers. Review everything you’ve written again, add to it, and look for the threads. – This was more challenging than I expected.
2. Write out your goal ideas. – Most of my goal ideas actually became my final goals… perhaps restructured or reworded a bit, but I’ve been thinking about them for a long time so it was good to finally get them down on paper.
3. Check your goals. – Again, I’ve been thinking about them for a while, so I’ve had time to really examine most of them.
4. Write down your WHY with every goal idea. – So here’s what I got:
1 – Focus on spiritual growth. WHY? So I can be more effective and confident as a servant of God. I want this to include daily quiet time and to result in a greater trust in God.
2 – Be more active in serving God through intentional mission work. WHY? So that I can use my gifts and passions for Kingdom work and facilitate the leading of others to Jesus. Missions are a passion of mine and I want to be a part of God drawing others to Himself. I want this to include being more involved with missions, being less selfish with my time, and saying yes!
3 – Be mindful of my blessings with gratitude and contentment. WHY? Because I have a tendency to want things and be greedy and materialistic when I should be content and satisfied. I know there are a lot of less fortunate people in the world, and my discontent is shameful in light of that. I want this to include a change of heart and attitude towards “stuff.” I want to spend money wisely on things only if I need or love them.
4 – Simplify and live a less wasteful, more minimalist lifestyle. WHY? Because clutter and excess cause me stress, and I am tired of wasting money on things that I don’t really need or want that will just be thrown out later. I want to put my money where it matters while cultivating contentment. I want this to include letting go of and getting rid of clutter and excess, and being more mindful of how I spend money.
5 – Make real changes to improve my health and lose weight. WHY? So that I will feel better, have a better quality (and length) of life, be able to serve God better, be an example to my family, decrease health problems, and decrease dependence on chemical medications. Maybe even be able to have kids. I want this to include better eating, regular exercise, better oral care, more frequent use of ACV, and better sleep.
6 – Spend more time with my dad. WHY? Because he has cirrhosis of the liver and may not have long to live, and I’m always going places and doing things with my mom and sister, but rarely with him. I also want to restore some of our relationship while I have the time. I want this to include more one-on-one time with him and perhaps a monthly “date.”
7 – Spend more time with my husband and dog. WHY? Because even though we are around each other a lot, hubby and I are usually distracted or occupied with other things, and I want us to all spend quality time enjoying each other. They often get the short end of the stick when it comes to my time, and I want to love them well. I want this to include more quality time/intentional time away from distractions where hubby and I can focus on each other (maybe dates?). I also want to do more with my dog – play time, walks, puzzles, tricks, lap time, and cuddles. <3
8 – Waste less time and instead be productive and serious about my goals. WHY? Because there is a lot I want to accomplish and unless I manage my time well and prioritize, I will not be able to achieve all of my goals. A big part of this is being distracted at work, which causes me to work late, and sucks all the time away from the other areas. This goal will include spending less time at work, less time on social media, and more time on the things I need/want to do. Also making time for rest.
9 – Be a better friend and a bit more social. WHY? I'm an introvert and people who have been good friends to me deserve the same in return. I can serve God by serving them. I also crave some of those friend relationships in a way. I want this to include a genuine effort to be more social, a monthly game night, and checking in with one of my friends in particular at least once a month.
10 – Reconnect with myself by doing more of my creative hobbies. WHY? Because this is where I am truly in tune with myself and feel most purposeful – not just going through motions on autopilot. These hobbies are fun, relaxing, and make me feel good about myself and my talents. I need that positivity. I also think I can use them to be an effective servant of God. I want this to include (perhaps a rotation of) crochet, knitting, scrapbooking, painting, hammered dulcimer lessons, etc. Creative arts and hobbies are where my heart always returns. They calm me and fulfill me in ways that other activities can't. This is my sanity.
-
on January 16, 2019 at 2:32 pm
1: review everything, check! Found another one! Cultivate the gifts and talents God has blessed me with so I can use them to bless others.
2: my goal ideas are to eat healthy, discovery my family history, weekly and daily planning, run a half marathon, become debt free, pray in Spanish, blog weekly, clean house before bed, social media free weekends, violin quartet, cook at home more, have a morning routine, reas 12 books.
3: check goals-done! Cultivate family, manage finances, cultivate my mind, cultivate my talents, and consecration.
4: cultivate family-when I’m 80 I want to be surrounded by family and friends. I want meaningful relationships that fill me. I want to bless those family members with all the knowledge and experience I have.
Manage finances-I want to be debt free and have financial peace so that Bryson won’t be always stressing about finances. I want to be able to bless those who have financial needs. I want to be able to travel with my family and have experiences that we’ll remember forever.
Cultivate my mind-I want my kids to know how important education is by my example. I want to have the knowledge to bless others. I want to an independent thinker.
Cultivate my talents-I want to be a good steward over the talents God has blessed me with by cultivating and sharing them to bless others. I want to have joy in my life by enjoying what I have been given!
Consecration: I want to learn more about God to know how I can bless other. I want a close relationship with Him so I can know and do His will.