Goal Setting is Supported by Science, Psychology and Scripture

When I open my Flipboard App (a cool create-your-own-magazine online reading app), I find in my top stories an article about goal setting for the new year.  A couple of flips later is a productivity article claiming that goal-setting is so old school…no one does it anymore.

In my email inbox, it is the same…Chris Brogan claims that we need to set directional Words, not goals that everyone abandons on day 20 of the new year.  Yet, right next to Chris’ email is Michael Hyatt’s 5 Major Goals Setting Myths That Get You Stuck…along with Michael Hyatt’s email on My Best Year Ever goal setting course.

We can argue about anything, can’t we?

And as humans there is something about the new year that gives us a fresh start, a blank slate, and a bit of hope.

How do we claim these gifts of 2016? How do we optimize a new beginning that can take us to new places…how do we begin the year strong?

This is my take on it since becoming a Christian.  Yes, the way all things are truly made new…in Christ.

Without getting deep into theology or discussing salvation, I do believe that scripture directs us toward a purposeful life.  Thankfully Jesus’ definition of purpose isn’t the shallow ranting of a success-obsessed society.

He does command righteous living, loving others, caring for widows and orphans, sharing the gospel, being good stewards, and many, many paper thin pages of wonderful, directional goals we can work toward.

Does Jesus care about SMART goals?  Probably not.

He does care about us living with an open heart and caring about the things on His heart.

I Believe in Goal Setting

For me, I still believe in goals.  I believe that God just wants us to move directional toward being more Christ-like into eternity.  I don’t know that He times things on a calendar year.  That part is for us.

The goal of being more Christ-like is a lifetime pursuit, but we need smaller bites.  We need to break it down into months, years, and sometimes as little as one baby step after the other.

Why?  Why do we need to break it down?  To make the pursuit seem more achievable.

When we set an annual revenue goal, we usually break it down into months to better measure how we are doing and to make it seem less daunting.

When we set a goal to complete a project, we usually break it down into stages or phases of completion.

Yes, we need this because we are an impatient group and we need to see our progress, but nevertheless, by having goals, and steps…we do achieve more!

Goal Setting Is Supported by Science, Psychology, and Scripture

Bottom-line is that science supports goal setting….

Based on hundreds of studies, the major finding of goal setting is that individuals who are provided with specific, difficult but attainable goals perform better than those given easy, nonspecific, or no goals at all. At the same time, however, the individuals must have sufficient ability, accept the goals, and receive feedback related to performance (Latham, 2003).

Psychology supports goal setting….

Furthermore, goal setting is the underlying explanation for all major theories of work motivation—whether that be Vroom’s (1994) VIE theory, Maslow’s (1970) or Herzberg’s (2009) motivation theories, Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory, or operant-based behaviorism (Skinner, 1979).

Scripture supports goal setting…

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Isaiah 32:8 “But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.”

Philippians 3:13-14  “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Be Made Anew

I know we are only truly made anew in Christ, but I think we can participate ourselves toward a purposeful, Christ-centered life with a few goals of our own.  Here is a quick exercise to get you started:

1. Think about what the year would look like on December 31, 2016 if it was the year you wish to have.  Write it down in narrative form.
2. Pick out the goals or the areas of change or accomplishment.  I would have started and been in community with an incredible small group at my church doing life together.  We would be working across the country online in addition to our local community.
3. Add metrics to it.  I want to be in a couples group with 3-4 other couples.  I want to grow my email list to 3,000 names.
4. Break it down into milestones or steps.  I hope to start my small group by April 1.  I want to have at least 1,000 names on my email list by June 1.
5. Tell people about it.  Research shows that sharing your goals with others adds accountability and perseverance.

I know this is just a simple exercise, but trust me, there is every size and shape of goal setting plans available from others…..just google it!

Ultimately, the most important step in goal setting is to bring them to the Lord, pray about them, ask the Lord to work in you, and pray for His will to be done!

I hope you have a wonderful New Years to celebrate the coming year and days that the Lord gives to us!

_____________________________________

This article was originally posted on crossroadcoach.com. View original post here.

Sue Miley, MBA, MA, LPC, is a Christian business coach, small business expert, and online marketing consultant. She has 20+ years in executive positions in marketing, finance, and operations. She helps small business owners create successful businesses on a foundation of Christian values.

Sign-up for a free Crossroads Clarity Kit and discover your path to purposeful growth in your business.