Today I want to talk to you about getting the things done that you’ve set out to accomplish for each quarter, as well as the year as a whole. At the end of this first quarter I want you to be able to look back and know that you used your time wisely and were intentional with the plans you laid out. I don’t want you to write down things to do from a place of feeling the need to be busy. I want you to be able to reflect on each quarter of 2017 and see fullness in your relationships as well as the work you set you hands to. So here is how you should go about planning and preparing for a guilt-free 2017!
Mindset
Recently, I hosted a couple of goal setting and vision casting workshops to kick off the new year. Before the ladies came, I prayed over the time we were going to spend together and waited with an expectant heart for the ladies God would send my way. My cup is still full from the time and fellowship I spent with these women who came and allowed God to pour into them and give them vision for the new year.
This was not the typical vision board party where you sit and do the task of creating a board that illustrates your vision for the year. (Don’t get me wrong, I love this particular task and I’m the queen of embellishing things!) However, this year God put it on my heart to talk to the women about mindset first.
Here's why: you can have all the vision in the world, but if your mindset does not match what you are setting out to accomplish you are going to run out of steam before the year's end. Yes, things from your board may still manifest, but each year we should also be doing internal work and making strides toward achieving growth from the inside out.
Assess
For transformation to take place we’ve got to start with doing what I like to call an internal inventory. What have your carried into 2017 that did not serve you well in 2016? What things have you been telling yourself that don’t line up with God’s truth about you? Whether we like it or not, we will encounter other hurting people who will bump into us from time to time, and it’s important that we learn how to keep our hearts pure and clean, by guarding them and filtering out the yucky stuff.
During my live workshops I challenged the ladies to write down those things that they were carrying around because there is major power and freedom in releasing these things and not keeping them bottled up inside of us.
Now I challenge YOU to sit down and do a brain dump. Write down all of the things that are causing you to get stuck, or words that have been spoken over you that are just not true. Release them so that you can make room for God to fill you with his truth.
Your Word
The next thing we did was select and chat about our word for the year. Now this should not cause anxiety. If you don’t feel like you have a word yet, spend some time in prayer and ask God to show you the reoccurring themes in your current season. Where is He challenging you to go higher with him?
Don’t be afraid to ask him! He is actually waiting to partner with you this year on the most productive year you’ve ever had! Remember His voice is not one of condemnation, so the word you will hear from Him will be a word that empowers you to fulfill the greatness that he has placed inside of you. Don’t run from it - embrace it!
Priorities
Next you will need to set your priorities for the upcoming quarter and year. If you’ve never done this before, I suggest starting with your goals for this quarter. But, if goal setting and vision casting is something you do regularly, go ahead and tackle the whole year!
What priorities is God showing you? Is it your faith, family, finances, a specific area He wants you to be more disciplined in? Write it all down and be sure to follow it up with some actionable steps to take so that you will be sure to accomplish your goals.
Dream
Goal Setting & Vision Casting for 2017- Why This Year Will Be Different (1)
Last but not least, I want you to dream - and dream big! You know those deep desires we all have in our hearts that we are afraid to unleash. Write those dreams and desires down. God challenged me recently and told me that there were things He knew I was dreaming of, but had not asked Him for.
I like to equate this to the relationship we have with our children or any family member or co-worker. You know how you know people want things, but are too afraid to ask? Most times we don’t act on those desires until they ASK us. God wants the same from you! He created you with those desires and He is waiting eagerly to fulfill each and every promise to you! So - open up your mouth and ask!
I would love to help you flesh out your goals and vision for 2017 and I have a worksheet that I would love to share with you to help you in your process. All you have to do is get yourself signed up for a 2-hour intensive during which we will walk through your goals and vision together. When you sign up you'll receive your free goal setting and vision casting worksheet free as a special gift.
I can’t wait to see all the amazing things God has in store for you this year unfold! Cheers to 2017, friend!