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How to Set Realistic Goals You Can Keep

December 26, 2018 By Jennifer H. Yates Leave a Comment

26 Dec
How to Set Realistic Goals You Can Keep

I don’t know about you, but I love all things new. New day, new week, and especially a new year. There’s just something to be said for putting the past behind us and walking where we haven’t gone before.

Many people don’t welcome change, but most of us would agree that we have areas of our lives in which we need to grow. So instead of looking at everything that is wrong with our lives, let’s reflect on where we would like to see ourselves a year from now and how we can reach that goal.

So whether you are excited for the idea of a fresh, new start, or you just know you want to grow in some areas, let’s look at ways that we can set realistic goals to strive for.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

2 Peter 3:18 ESV

First, set aside some time to think about how you want to grow.

Carve out a few hours on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon to spend with the Lord. Get a journal and begin to reflect on your past year.

Do you need to spend more time with God, develop better relationships with people, take better care of your body, be a better steward of your finances?

As you spend time thinking about your past year and the areas where you want to grow, ask God to guide your thoughts and give you grace for your past failures. Don’t spend too much time reliving those things that didn’t go well. Learn from the past and move on.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Second, write out the areas you want to develop.

Our relationship with God should always be our number one priority and an area in which all of us can grow. Start there, then think through which other areas you need to grow in.

Prioritize those areas according to what is most needed or most desired in your life right now. Keep your list short–just those things that will impact and make your life better in the coming year.

Don’t focus on things that are out of your control. Make your list according to what you can choose each day.

Now, under each category, list specific, measurable goals.

For instance, do you need to commit to time with the Lord every day? Start with 15 minutes a day as your goal. Do you need to start exercising? Maybe you can commit to 15 minutes 3 days per week.

Do you have a relationship that is strained. Start with prayer. Do you need to eat better? Start by making a grocery list. Need to get your finances in order? Cut up some credit cards or sit down and make out a simple budget.

Make your actionable steps small and easy to implement so you can enjoy some early success. As you begin to take those small steps toward your goals, you can add new ones. 

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

When you begin to experience the thrill of growth in an area, you will be inspired to take the next step. So, don’t be afraid to go ahead and write out those next steps now. They will give you something to work towards.

And don’t forget to celebrate your successes.

Did you spend time with God every single day for a week? Find a friend who will celebrate with you and share what God spoke to you during that time. As you take small steps of success, thank God for helping you.

On days that you don’t experience success, go to God for grace, and move on toward your goals. Don’t allow setbacks to keep you from being all God wants you to be.

We all have room for growth in our lives, and nothing is more important that growing in our relationship with God. So, set aside some time this week to do a spiritual check up and ask God to show you His heart for you.

We have the opportunity every day to seek more of Him in our lives, and nothing will impact our families, finances, or figures more than that.

Need some practical strategies for Bible study in just 15 minutes a day? Join my FOCUSED 15 Challenge to learn more.

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Filed Under: Spiritual Growth Tagged With: Bible studies for Women, Goal Setting, How to Set Realistic Goals for 2019, How to Thrive in 2018, Jennifer H Yates, New Year's Resolution, quiet time, quiet time devos for busy women, seeking God, seeking Jesus, spiritual goals, spiritual growth

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About Jennifer H Yates

About Jennifer H Yates

Hey, friends! I'm Jen--wife, mama, and empty-nester. I love to write, read, and drink coffee, especially with friends.

I've found that many women struggle to find time and focus to grow their relationship with God through studying His Word. I encourage and challenge women with practical strategies and helpful resources for quality study in as little as fifteen minutes a day.

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We all have a place in the Kingdom. ⁠
⁠
Click

We all have a place in the Kingdom. ⁠
⁠
Click link in bio to read post.⁠
⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel--the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:1-4, NIV).
All of Scripture, all of history, all of time has been about Jesus Christ, Son of God. 
Do you know Him? You can. His life, death, and resurrection are historical fact. All so that you could know Him and have eternal life.
Jesus loves you! ❤

"The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee fo
"The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment" (Luke 23:55-56).
Can you imagine the horror these women had witnessed? Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others had followed Jesus and helped support his ministry (Luke 8:3).
Now all their hopes had been crushed as they stood at a distance and witnessed Jesus' agonizing death on the cross (Luke 23:49). His own mother had to stand by helplessly as her son cried out, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46).
As we women often do, they looked for a way to still serve Him, even in His death, by preparing His body for burial. Sometimes, it's the little things.
When our hearts are breaking and we think we can't take another breath, sometimes we need something in our hands--a burial spice, a casserole, a text that says I'm here.
We can't make the hurt go away, but we can channel it into something useful, something hopeful, something comforting.
As they rested on the Sabbath, I'm sure they anticipated the opportunity to see Him one more time, to minister to Him once more with the spices and perfumes they had prepared.
Hearts crushed, hands open.
Grieved but grateful. Resting but ready.
Because if there was anything they knew for sure, it's that Jesus was no ordinary man. And when hearts are turned toward Him, anything can happen.

God never called us to “blind” faith. We may b
God never called us to “blind” faith. We may believe without seeing, but faith is being sure and certain of what we don’t see, not what we don’t know. ⁠
The Israelites had historical facts on which to base their faith. That’s why God constantly told them to remember what He had done and tell it to their children. Their faith was in what they knew to be true, even though they didn’t always see it with their own eyes. ⁠
We, too, have facts on which to base our faith. The Bible is historically accurate and verified. If ever we needed to know what we believe, it’s now.⁠
⁠
Click link in bio to read post.⁠
⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

It’s something I have a hard time doing. Like mo
It’s something I have a hard time doing. Like most women, when I do get still, my mind is still going 90 mph. I’m so distracted by all the preparations for the day. Sounds a little like Martha, who, by the way, is the one who invited Jesus over in the first place. But like Martha, I have felt the Lord’s gentle rebuke. He wants me at His feet. And really, that’s where I want to be. It’s not about time and focus. It’s about heart and desire. The rest will come. ❤️ #growingyourfaith #jesusfirst #wordbeforeworld #seekhimfirst #javawithjesus #womenintheword

Do you really want to grow your faith? What we fee
Do you really want to grow your faith? What we feed the most is what grows the most. 🍽️⁠
⁠
What are you feeding?⁠
⁠
Click the link in my bio to read this week's post.⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus ⁠


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