{"id":7532,"date":"2015-01-16T12:48:58","date_gmt":"2015-01-16T18:48:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ldswomenofgod.com\/?p=7532"},"modified":"2015-01-16T12:48:58","modified_gmt":"2015-01-16T18:48:58","slug":"make-year-successful-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reliefsocietywomen.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/16\/make-year-successful-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"Make This The Year of Successful Goals"},"content":{"rendered":"

When was the last time you set a goal and actually achieved it? Why did you set the goal in the first place? Do we sometimes get caught up in the moment and wish for the end before the beginning even starts? Goals can be like that sometimes.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s make this year different. I wish I could give credit for this great lesson on goal setting, but I can\u2019t. Whoever you are, thank you for making goal-setting very doable. If you want to really set a goal to set goals this year this is a great format to start thinking of how you can make it work for you. I think the most important part is to pray and wait for inspiration to lead you toward the right goal for you. The Spirit is the best motivator and when you know you\u2019re doing what the Lord wants you to do, accomplishment means that much more, especially when it\u2019s something hard and forces you to stretch. Good luck!<\/p>\n

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Goal Setting<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\u201cBe ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Matthew 5:48<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cSet clear and specific goals. When you set a goal and commit yourself to the necessary self-discipline to reach that goal, you will eliminate most of the problems in your life. Spend your energies doing those things that will make a difference.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

M Russell Ballard Mar. 2004\"goals_destination1\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Lesson Objectives:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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  1. Understand the role of personal financial planning in achieving your goals<\/li>\n
  2. Identify what you want to accomplish in life<\/li>\n
  3. Understand the principles of effective goal setting<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Why Teach about Goal Setting:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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    Setting goals gives focus and direction in life. Elder M. Russell Ballard taught \u201cI am so thoroughly convinced that if we don\u2019t set goals in our life and learn how to master the technique of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principle of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life[1]<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

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    Understanding what the Lord wants for us and what we really want for ourselves will help us to know the paths we need to take to get there. Our personal financial plans should align our finances with our goals. \u201cA goal is a standard, a skill, an ideal, or a destination that is to be achieved.[2]<\/a>\u201d As we determine our \u201cdestination\u201d by setting and working towards our goals, we won\u2019t end up climbing steps on a ladder that is leaned up against the wrong wall and therefore takes us to the wrong destination. Goals help us to make sure that we are taking the steps that lead us to where we really want to be.<\/p>\n

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    Lesson:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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    The scriptures teach us that all things are possible,[3]<\/a> but they also teach us about the law of the harvest,[4]<\/a> which is the idea that one will not reap the fruits where one has not sown through labor. Goals help us to create direction and a sense of purpose in our activities. Imagine if you were in the middle of the ocean and in a row boat. If you saw nothing on the horizon, how much motivation to row would you have? If you did choose to row for a couple hours and still saw nothing how much motivation would you have then? Now contrast that to a situation where you are in a row boat in the middle of the ocean but off in the far distance you see an island. How would your motivation to row change? After you rowed a couple hours how would being able to see some progress increase your motivation to continue rowing? Goals can be the \u201cisland\u201d that gives us increased motivation and an ability to track our progress to that final destination.<\/p>\n

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    \"Smart_Goal_Setting_helps_You_Run_a_Business-_without_being_a_Slave_to_it\"<\/a>Goal Setting Principles <\/strong><\/h4>\n

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    More important than just setting goals is the progress that is made as you work towards achieving them. These principles will help you to set and achieve worthwhile goals<\/p>\n

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    Seek Heavenly Guidance <\/strong><\/h4>\n

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    Our leaders have counseled, \u201cBefore we set our individual goals, we should pray and meditate. We should ask Heavenly Father to help us know where we are weak, what we need to improve, and what our goals should be. Our patriarchal blessings will also help us understand what our individual goals should be. Instructions from our Church leaders can help us in setting our individual goals.[5]<\/a>\u201d As we come to know what our Heavenly Father expects us to do and become, we will then know which goals to set. It is often helpful to ask ourselves \u201cWhat does the Lord expect me to do and to become.\u201d This will help us to set goals that will ultimately lead to the greatest happiness. Elder M. Russell Ballard taught, \u201cPray for divine guidance in your goal setting.[6]<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

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    Specific and Measurable<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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    \u201cSet clear and specific goals.[7]<\/a>\u201d If one were to set a vague goal like \u201cI want to be happy\u201d then one would find it very hard to know what to do to accomplish the goal and how well they are performing on accomplishing the goal. Specific goals like \u201cI want to pray every morning before leaving the house.\u201d will allow one to track the progress of achieving that goal.<\/p>\n

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    Realistic but still cause you to stretch<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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    \u201cChallenging goals will help you work effectively and lead you to stretch and grow.[8]<\/a>\u201d However if the goals we set are too demanding on our time and resources then it is easy to give up on the goals. We have also been counseled to \u201cSet \u2026 goals that you can reach.[9]<\/a>\u201d Having goals should help you to achieve more than you otherwise would, but unrealistic goals lead can lead to discouragement and decreased productivity.<\/p>\n

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    Write them down and put them in a prominent place<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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    Elder M. Russell Ballard taught \u201cI would suggest to you that setting goals is a simple process, but there are two or three things about it you have to learn. I learned in my business career that I could get all excited about a principle, or that I could get all excited about trying to do something, but if I did not write it down and if I did not place it in front of me where I looked at it over and over and over again until it really became part of me, I did not accomplish that goal. I would suggest that if you want to have success in the goal setting process, you learn to write your goals down. I would even put them in a very prominent place\u2014on your mirror or on the refrigerator door. Keep your goals in front of you, in writing. Then, with the desire to reach your written goals, you will be more willing to pay the price that successful goal-oriented people must pay.[10]<\/a>\u201d Bishop John H. Vandenberg said: \u201cI feel that goal-setting is absolutely necessary for happy living. But the goal is only part of the desired procedures. We need to know which roads to take to reach the goal. \u2026 [People] need to make commitments with themselves by writing down their goals and keeping a record of the fulfillment of their achievements.[11]<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

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    Activity:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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    1. After reviewing the principles listed above hand out writing utensils and paper to everyone. Allow people to set goals. After setting goals, ask the following questions:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n