How You Should Write Intentional Goals
What I am prescribing here is based in scripture. Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NASB) says “Then the Lord answered me and said, “Write down the vision and inscribe it clearly on tablets, so that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; it hurries toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it delays, wait for it; For it will come, it will not delay long.”
Take-aways
Write the vision down “clearly” – be specific and detailed.
“So that the one who reads it may run”— In this case, you are the one who is reading it, once it is written you have to “run” or make moves (make actionable goals).
“it hurries toward the goal and will not fail”—When you start with the vision those moves (actionable goals) should be intentionally approaching the main goal.
“Though it delays, wait for it; For it will come, it will not delay long” – you have to be content with the progress you make and keep believing for the manifestation of the vision.
That very last statement echoes what is offered in James 2:14-26 NASB. Here we find the infamous “faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (2:17). And the argument “someone may well say “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works.” (2:18). And the conclusion “as a result of the works, faith was perfected.”(2:22)
Take-aways
You cannot believe or hope for something without putting the work in. It literally makes no sense. Understand that things will not magically happen for you, but when your mind, heart, and behaviors are aligned with the vision (this requires work), your faith will grow as you witness things fall into place as a result of the alignment.
What Journaling With Purpose Does For You:
You start with your vision. And we are subscribing to this definition of vision: the ability to think about or plan the future with wisdom. A fantasy is the activity of imagining things that are impossible or improbable – and this is what we are not doing, okay? Be realistic and go only as far as you actually believe can happen. I promise, if you don’t believe in it, it will not happen.
Set a mantra; a word or phrase to help aid concentration on your vision. Come up with something that you will say to yourself to encourage you along the way.
I have created categories for you and even space you to write goals on areas that I have not included. In each area, write goals that run towards your established vision.
Seal it with prayer. In your prayer, you have to release these things to God. Affirm the things you have written down, but surrender your ideas in this way: “God your word says that if I write down the vision and make it plain, that the overall goal will not fail. I faith and pray that you give me the strength to complete the works that are required of me. My only desire is to do what you have created me to do, so if my goals and my vision are not in alignment with your will for my life, please reveal to me how I need to change so that I may be in your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
After the month has ended do some reflecting. Talk about your “glows,” what you’ve learned, what you’ve accomplished, and what you’re proud of. And acknowledge any “grows”—for anything that did not happen, you need to dig deep (and maybe it’s not that deep) address a mindset or habit that may have hindered you. Use these “glows” and “grows” to help you create intentional goals for the next go-around.
As you create goals that are in alignment with the established vision, you should find that your heart, mind, and behaviors will be transformed in some way. I believe that your goals should be centered more on those growths rather than actual tasks and my hope for you is that you fall in love with this process.