3 Steps to Setting Grace-filled, Intentional, and Purposeful Goals

Can you believe it’s time to start setting goals for 2018 already?! I feel like the first half of this year was a little slow and since Knox arrived, it’s just flown by! I can’t believe the year is almost over. Craziness.

Regardless of how crazy it may seem, it’s the truth. So let’s get excited about goal-setting! I actually love setting goals. I love thinking about the possibilities of the New Year, but also anxious about what it will really hold. I love looking back on the previous year and seeing what’s been accomplished and what goals became less important as time went on and my mission/vision became more clear.

As you look to 2018, are you excited? Nervous? Scared? Anxious? Joyful? Pay attention to the emotions you have about the New Year and goals you have. If you’re feeling nervous or anxious about it, take some time to unpack that and figure out what’s causing those emotions. Maybe you’re scared to fail (I know I am), so setting goals can be too overwhelming.

Wherever you’re at with goal setting, I hope that you’re able to find encouragement here. As much as I’d like to say that I have everything together, I most certainly do not. Especially right now with an infant and a business to run. This next year might not being spectacular and I might not launch as many things as I did this past year, but I want to choose to be intentional with 2018. I want my decisions and choices to be impactful. I want to set goals that lead me to a joyful, more grace-filled life.

If you’re interested in setting goals that are grace-filled, intentional, and full of purpose, read on!

3 Steps to Setting Grace-filled, Intentional, and Purposeful Goals:

Step One:

Utilize Powersheets! Haven’t heard of these? Well you need them. I love how they are laid out and continuously give space and time to reflect and choose grace amidst helping you think intentionally about the future. If you have heard of these, I hope that you have taken the time to invest in them. I believe that Powersheets played a huge role in me planning for maternity leave and being able to automate a lot of aspects of my business. If you are looking for a way to change up your goal-setting AND add gratitude and grace to the process, Powersheets are for you!

Step Two:

Get after grateful. Before you move forward with your goals, make sure you take time to think about what you are truly grateful for. When I do this, it helps me set goals that are intentional and grace-filled. When I just go after goals that I feel like I “should” be chasing or goals that will make me appear to be “killing it,” I miss out on the purpose of my goals and I find myself striving for things and achievements that don’t bring my joy. Choose to look at what you’re grateful for and once you’re in that mindset, you will be able to find goals that truly fit into your life’s purpose and mission.

If you are a person of faith, let this song lyric be an admonishment to you: “A thankful heart prepares the way for you, my God.” I truly believe that living with a grateful heart allows you to seek the purpose and will of God. It all begins with gratitude.

Step Three:

Be Specific. When you’re setting goals, you want to make sure that you get extremely specific. Why? So you’re able to actually achieve that goals. If it’s abstract, you won’t be able to decide what tangible steps need to be taken in order to achieve the goals. If you want to grow your email list, decide on a number. Don’t just write “grow email list.” If you want to increase your sales, pick a percentage. If you want to grow your website visits and views, select a number that you want to achieve. Being specific allows you to set small tasks to achieve the goal, but it also allows you to measure your goals. If you have a specific number you want to grow your email list to, and October rolls around and you aren’t at your goal yet, you know the exact number you need to chase after until the end of the year. The specificity is what makes your goals achievable, not abstract.

What are some of your goals for 2018? How can I support you this next year? Comment below so I can cheer you on, hold you accountable, and create content that helps support these goals!

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