Hello, my Friends! Can you believe it? We are in the penultimate month of 2023! How's your journey towards your goals going? Are you still feeling as fired up and motivated as when you first started?
As for me, my theme for this year was all about 'FOUNDATION.' It's November, and we must build a strong base for our goal-setting and intentions.
I choose 'FOUNDATION' as my theme for 2023 because, honestly, there have been times when it felt like the ground beneath me was cracking or I was moving so fast that I never took the time to ensure I had a solid footing. Can any of you relate to that? We often rush into setting our New Year's goals and resolutions without building that essential foundation, and that's why so many of us end up giving up on our goals by the time February arrives.
This year, my mission was to rebuild the foundations in my life and create new ones in critical areas like my marriage, career, motherhood, friendships, and, of course, my brand Natalian Williams.
Whenever I embark on a new goal or reevaluate my life, my thoughts instinctively turn to God. After all, God is the origin of everything, as written in Genesis 1:1: 'In the beginning, God created heaven and earth.' And in John 1:1, 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' So, when planning my goals and intentions for the year, I always start with God.
You might wonder, 'What do God and goals have in common?' or 'How can we follow God and still achieve our goals with purpose?' Well, I'm here to share what I've learned about how God desires us to live with intention, not by accident.
Through my personal experiences, I've learned that no goal is complete until God is an integral part of the plan. In fact, none of 'my' plans are solely mine. So, if you need to rebuild foundations or struggle with your New Year's goals, here are my go-to 'God + Goals = Success' scriptures. Let's ignite our journey to goal-setting!
1. Seek God First
Matthew 6:33 'But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.'
Everything we desire should have its roots in God. We need to put God first in all our plans and actions. When setting goals, think about how your goals align with God's purpose. Pray about your goals, asking God to guide you in achieving them. Also, seek God's guidance to discern if a goal aligns with His plan for your life. Dive into His word and strive to do what's right.
2. Simply Ask God
Matthew 7:7-8 'Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find it; knock, and it will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.'
It's simple: if you want something, ask God for it first. God desires to grant us our heart's desires, especially when we pray for His will to be done in our lives after asking God to do the work. Seeking His will and knocking on His door require action. We can't just ask; we must act and seek His guidance through prayer and wise counsel (make sure those are intelligent people, not just anyone). Trust that God can open doors beyond your imagination. All you need to do is ask, knock, and seek God.
3. Trust in the Lord, Not Yourself
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.'
When setting goals, always begin by acknowledging God. You can do this by inviting God into your plans, asking Him to establish them, and seeking His wisdom in decision-making.
4. Be Diligent About Your Plans. Don't Rush Goal Setting
Proverbs 21:5 (NIV) 'The plans of the diligent lead to profit, as surely as haste leads to poverty.'
This is a profound truth, isn't it? God makes it clear that abundance comes through diligence. Being diligent means approaching your work and responsibilities with care and conscientiousness. So, when setting your goals and intentions, take your time. Consider how God can use you to make a lasting impact. Your goals should focus on outcomes not just in 2021 but also in the long run, say, five years from now.
5. Transform and Renew Your Mind
Romans 12:2'Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will'.
A 'new year, new you' begins with a change in mindset. With new goals, you need a fresh perspective. This is where we often stumble when setting goals. We're too quick to set a goal and get to work, but we should first focus on transforming our minds. It might involve daily affirmations, seeing food as fuel rather than a diet, or viewing saving money as an investment in your future instead of a sacrifice for immediate gratification.
6. Think Positive Thoughts
Philippians 4:8 'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.'
Once again, God emphasizes the importance of our mindset. In all circumstances, we must maintain a positive outlook. I particularly love this scripture because it reminds me that life has challenges. Why else would God encourage us to focus on things worthy of praise, no matter how big or small they may be? As you work towards your 2024 goals, keep those positive thoughts flowing.
So, my Friends, let's infuse our goals with faith, seek God's guidance, and take purposeful steps toward achieving them. With God at the center of your goals, success is inevitable! Happy goal-setting!