I love the new year. I love the freshness and opportunity it presents for growth and goal setting.
As for goals, I enter every year with a list. I know some people get discouraged by unrealized goals of past years. But I would suggest that goal setting itself isn’t the problem. If you feel bogged down by missed goals of the past, perhaps it’s time to tweak your process for setting and implementing goals.
Years ago, I read the statement, “He who aims at nothing hits it every time.” I would rather set audacious goals and get 50 percent there than set no goal and get 100 percent there.
So, how do we decide which goals to set, and how do we develop the habits to support those goals? Here are five steps I have found to be helpful.
1. Plan Goals through Your God-Given Roles
When I sit down to plan my new year’s goals, I don’t start with a blank screen. I start with a list of my God-given roles. Mine currently look like this:
- Child of God
- Husband
- Father/Grandfather
- Preacher/Pastor
- College President
- Equipper/Author
These are the significant areas of responsibility God has placed in my life. So the goals that I have set for 2025 all fall under one of these headings. (I include personal development and health goals under my role as a child of God because I want even these goals to be part of fully living to glorify God.)
You might think of listing your own God-given roles as a pre-step to planning your new year’s goals. What are the significant areas of responsibility God has placed in your life?
Whatever your God-given roles may be, take time to prayerfully consider how you can grow in each of these areas, and set goals that reflect your calling.
2. Set SMART Goals
- Specific—Define your goal clearly so you know exactly what you’re working toward. (For example, instead of saying “get healthier,” specify how much weight you want to lose or the exercise plan you will follow.)
- Measurable—Include a way to track progress and know when the goal is reached.
- Achievable—Set a goal that is realistic, with God’s help, based on your current resources and abilities.
- Relevant—Make sure the goal aligns with your spiritual priorities and calling.
- Time-based—Set a deadline to keep yourself focused and motivated.
Writing out goals with clear steps and timeframes brings focus and accountability. And when you can measure your progress, it’s encouraging to see how God is helping you grow.
3. Develop Daily Routines That Support Your Goals
Goals don’t happen by accident. They are supported by daily habits. For instance, if your goal is to read through the Bible this year, you will probably only reach that goal with a daily habit of Bible reading.
Goals don’t happen by accident. They are supported by daily habits. SHARE ON X
Look back over your list of goals and ask yourself two questions:
- What habit do I need to develop to support this goal?
- What is the first step toward developing this habit?
In Psalm 90:12, Moses prayed, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” I’ve learned that making wise use of each day begins with small, consistent choices. Often this includes setting a morning routine that helps you start your day in God’s Word and prayer and positions you to make wise choices throughout the day.
4. Regularly Assess Your Progress
It’s important to evaluate your goals periodically. I like to set checkpoints to review how I’m doing and make any needed adjustments.
- Weekly—Every Saturday or Sunday, I set aside 30–60 minutes to review the past week and plan toward the next week. I pray through my list of God-given roles, and I ask the Lord to point out areas where I need to invest more time or attention. Ideally, this weekly review ends with time-activated tasks in my planner.
- Quarterly—About once a quarter, I set aside a morning for a more thorough review of my annual goals and an assessment of how I am doing in each. This is also a time that Terrie and I look at the calendar together and make sure we’re in sync on upcoming schedules and events.
- Annually—The last week of December or first week of January is a tremendous time for a thorough review of your goals from the previous year and plans for the next year. And if you set goals last year but failed to reach them, don’t be discouraged. Simply take a few minutes to consider what happened. Were they goals that aligned with your roles? Were they SMART (specific, measurable, etc.)? What habit(s) do you need to develop to reach that goal this year?
Accountability is also a helpful part of assessment. Whether it’s sharing your goals with your spouse or a friend or asking for accountability check-ins, having someone to encourage you along the way can make a big difference.
5. Seek to Glorify God Daily
I believe that it is spiritually healthy to assess where we need growth and to set goals to achieve that growth. But we must never forget that, as Christians, the ultimate purpose of setting goals is not self-betterment. It is to glorify God. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). It’s easy to get caught up in the process of goal-setting and lose sight of why we’re striving in the first place.
Our spiritual growth and daily habits should flow from a heart that desires to know and serve God more fully.
As you plan for the year ahead, take time to pray over your goals and commit them to the Lord. Ask Him to guide your steps and give you strength for the journey. Spiritual growth is not about checking boxes but about becoming more like Christ.
If you’re looking for daily encouragement to grow in your walk with the Lord, I invite you to subscribe to the Daily in the Word devotionsor podcast. These resources are designed to help you stay rooted in God’s Word throughout the year.
May the Lord aid you in 2025 as you develop spiritual habits and work toward God-honoring, Christ-exalting goals in this new year!