Be a GOAL digger not a GOLD digger!

Have you set any goals for the new year yet? If so, what are they? Every goal that we set for ourselves should always be set at a specific standard called S.M.A.R.T goals. The standard says that goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. When you begin to set goals with these standards in mind, it is guaranteed that you will accomplish every goal!

I think this is a wonderful time to set goals, being that the new year just started a few weeks ago. Many of us have a lot on our minds that’s that we would like to accomplish in 2019 and the years to come. It’s important to get a vision of what you would like to do for yourself and how you would like to go about doing so. I’ll go ahead and share a few of my goals that I developed not too long ago just to give you an idea for creating some goals of your own.

Personally, I like to stay organized so I placed my goals in categories to better help me define what exactly I would like to accomplish in 2019 and beyond. My categories included: career, mental health, and spirituality.

Career Goals (jobs, businesses, education, career, finances):

1. To become an effective licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida by 2020.

2. Save at least $1000 each month, meaning by the end of 2019 I should have at least $12,000 in total.

3. Develop a therapeutic wellness center for all and a men’s clinic for homeless men by 2020.

4. Earn a Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.) by 2025.

Mental Health Goals (mental status, therapy, self-care):

1. Live a stress free life.

2. Exercise weekly on a consistent basis.

3. Eat and live healthy by paying attention to what I feed myself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Spiritual Goals (purpose/calling, spiritual gifts, your relationship with God, etc.):

1. To continue to put God first in everything that I do.

2. Live a life full of the 9 fruits of the spirit: peace, joy, love, kindness, goodness, self-control, gentleness, faithfulness, and patience.

3. To worship God daily in spirit and in truth.

4. Worship God with my music.

5. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to me (Matthew 6:33).

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Your goals may not look like mine and that’s okay. Everyone has to start somewhere. I encourage you to take the first step and create a list for yourself. I truly believe that when you know what you want to accomplish and when you want to accomplish your goals, nothing can hinder you during the process. You won’t let anyone stop you or get you off track. Creating goals for yourself allows you to write the vision and make it plain. Taking the time to write out your goals ensures they will be accomplished one day if you put in the effort!

Here’s a picture that clearly defines how to create S.M.A.R.T goals for yourself: