This is the first time I am ever publicly declaring my goals. It’s a little scary, but I think it will help me be accountable! If you’re interested in my goal-setting process, I recorded a podcast and provided notes that walk you through my process here. In this post, I just tell you what my goals are. Once I set my goals, I reverse engineer them listing all of the steps necessary to accomplishing them on a separate document. I then transfer those steps to folders in my to-do list app.
One thing I want to make note of is this: I set a lot of goals. However, as a Christian, my life is not my own, it’s God’s. Ultimately, I want to pursue and accomplish what He puts in my heart. That being said, all of my goals are subject to change at anytime if I feel like God is leading me to do something else. I do spend time in prayer praying about what I believe God wants me to do each year. I would encourage you to do the same.
What I know about God is, my goals are tiny compared to the plans and purposes He has for me. I don’t just want to accomplish what I can or want to accomplish. I want to do what He has planned! If you’re looking for a good resource on this subject, I would encourage you to listen to Christine Caine’s Podcast, “Dream Hard. Trust Harder.” which was recorded on October 14th, 2013.
My Top Ten Goals in 2014:
Every week I try to write out my top ten goals to stay focused on what I really want to accomplish. Out of the 10, I choose 1 goal that is my “Push” goal. It’s the one goal that if I accomplish it, it will make accomplishing the other goals a lot easier. That needs to be my main focus. I also write each of the goals as if they have already happened. Here are the top ten as of January 1st, 2014:
- I Wrote and Published an E-Book and a Book (PUSH GOAL) – This will be the year I do this! I am writing a e-book on how to have your best year ever that I will give away for free on my website. I am also writing a book on decisions. I have a lot of it written, I just need to organize and edit it! Stay tuned!
- We bought a House – Last year our main focus was getting out of debt! We did that! Now it’s time to buy our first house! We are so excited!
- I Raised $100k more with my Donors – This is my primary goal at work. I have several other work goals, but if I don’t hit this one, none of the other ones will matter!
- I ran the Pittsburgh Marathon with Laura in under 3:45 – Laura has committed to running her first marathon! I am so excited to train with her! Ultimately, my goal is to finish her first marathon with her. Finishing under 3:45 (which I think is realistic and what we are training for) will just be a bonus!
- I recorded 12 Learning to Lead Personal Podcasts/Interviews – 12 interviews and 12 personal podcasts! The 12 interviews will be easy, I am committing to recording 12 personal podcasts.
- I had 25 Church Speaking Opportunities and 25 Outside of Church speaking Opportunities – This one is ALL God. I have no control over this. God has to open the doors! I’m trusting Him!
- I started a Mastermind Group that meets on a consistent Basis – I want to find a group of 3-5 people who dream big and meet with them on a consistent basis to challenge them and hold them accountable to their dreams and goals. I want them to do the same for me.
- I started Mentoring a Group of Young Leaders – I meet with a lot of young leaders 1 on 1 for coffee, however I think it’d be more beneficial to mentor them in groups.
- I have 6% Body fat and weigh 175 lbs. through December 31st – I am sick of my January 1st “before” pictures always looking the same! I always get into great shape by August and then let myself go October – December for the holidays! Not this year!
- We Made $X, Saved $X, Invested $X, and Gave $X – We have goals of what we would like to make, save, invest, and give.
Overall Goals/Areas of Focus
The rest of this post consists of goals I have set for several different areas of my life.
Growth Goals: This is a list of areas that I want to intentionally grow in this year:
- Continue to refine clean eating – Research
- Shame/Growing-up into adulthood/Codependence
- Fundraising
- Speaking/Writing/Business/Platform
- Finances
- Marriage
- Management
- Spiritual
Goals with Laura:
- 4 books on marriage
- Go through a Bible Reading Plan together
- Daily Prayer
- Run a marathon together
- Finish P90X3 together
- 2-3 Retreats like NYC
- Vacation Together
- Buy a House
- Attend a conference together
- Give $X away!
Spiritual Goals:
- Pray intentionally 365/365 – Circle things in prayer
- Read a 1-year Bible plan with Laura
- Start serving somewhere – small groups, etc.
Financial Goals:
- Buy a House!
- Go through Financial Peace University Together
- Save $X for a down payment
- Invest 10% of our income into Retirement
- Get our Emergency Fund up to $X
- Save $X per pay into our Vacation Fund
- Save for a trip to Hawaii or Italy with Laura
- Give away $X
- Find another source of income
Goals at Light of Life:
- Feasibility Study Complete
- Learn Planned Giving/Mail
- Join AFP
- Raise $X with Major Donors
- Start Capital Campaign
- Continue to Get more involved with our programs
- Read 4 fundraising books
Writing/Speaking Goals:
- New Blog Design
- Join NSA
- Finish book
- Blog 3-5 times a week
- 12 podcasts – 12 Interviews
- 25 Speaking opportunities in church
- 25 Speaking opportunities outside of church
- Partner with others! Reach out! Attend TEDX, etc. – Add value!
- Free Year-End Review Book
- How to have your best year ever!
Health/Fitness Goals:
- Finish P90X3
- Run the Pittsburgh Marathon under 3:45
- Finish the Tough Mudder
- Get down to 175 lbs and 6% bodyfat and stay there
- Eliminate Breads and sugars from my diet – Dr. Mercola plan
Bucket List Goals:
- Buy a house!
- Vacation with Laura – Napa Valley/Northern California
- Run the New York Marathon?
- Get a Masters Degree
- Travel to one new country with Laura
- Go on a mission trip with Laura
- Go Sky Diving with Laura
- Complete a Triathlon
Friends Goals:
- Bless 1 couple of friends each month in an intentional way
- Connect with my connections once a month – even just to check-in
It’s shaping up to be an exciting 2014! I want to challenge you go to public with your goals!
What are your top 10 goals in 2014? Comment below!
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