Jan 23, 2015
2015 GOAL SETTING, PART 5: SET GOOD GOALS
Giveaway, Goal Setting, In The Office, Motherhood, My Books, Personal
Before we dig into Goal Setting, I have something encouraging to share. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to share a photograph of a plant with you (stay with me here!), and if you see me around this plant in person, I’m sure you would think I was a wee bit overjoyed about this little guy. BUT! Let me tell you why this is one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever laid eyes on. You see, six years ago, this plant was dead (or so I thought). Have you ever seen a shriveled up brown stemless orchid? Probably not, because it’s really hard to kill one of these things. But, if you’ve read my book or have known me for a while, you know that I was once really good at killing plants. That orchid I wrote about on page 143? Yep, that’s this little guy. He sat in our office bathroom for four years, only getting watered maybe once every other month, if that. There was no green in these leaves. Not a spot of life. In fact, I almost threw him away.
But, God…
Then, God got ahold of my heart. He showed me how addicted to instant gratification I had become in buying plants and things I had no intention of caring for. This wasn’t just about plants — this was how I treated my life. God began breaking me down to build me back up, new and changed. Over the last two years (!), I’ve watered, tended, fertilized, re-potted, pruned, and watched daily for any signs of life. If God could bring my marriage back to life, perhaps He could revive this neglected plant too. So, my friend, this little golden yellow and hot pink bloom is wildly exciting for me! God is real and faithful and this healthy very-alive thing reminds me multiple times a day that the impossible is possible. It’s such a beautiful symbol of how He has worked in me and our family. The impossible is possible. This is true for every part of your life too. God can take what appears lifeless and give it new life!
Also, in jest I mention trying out a Chia pet in my book if you want to give easy plant-growing a try. I strike that thought. We got Grace a Chia kitty as a potty training prize and it looks so awkward. It’s only barely sprouting on it’s belly. I can grow a garden, but Chia pets are not my forte ; )
Okay, on to Goal Setting! If you are just joining us for this series, it’s never too late to begin! February 1 is my January 1, so feel free to join me:
2015 Goal Setting, Part 1: Good Things
2015 Goal Setting, Part 2: What Didn’t Work + What I Learned
2015 Goal Setting, Part 3: Saying Yes, Saying No
2015 Goal Setting, Part 4: Get Radical + Sing Loud
Welcome to Part 5. I am excited about this and double excited about the giveaways that accompany this particular post. But, first. My answers from Part 4:
I asked myself these questions: What is the big picture? If I were to live out my most purposeful year in 2015, what would that look like? Where do I want to be when I’m 80?
Here’s what I wrote in my PowerSheets:
My most purposeful year yet would be a year of spending all of me and being hour-to-hour refilled ALL for and by God. It will, Lord willing, be a year of SEEKING Him out of love for Him — seeking His word — His truth, It will be, Lord willing, a year of letting go of our comforts to give sacrificially to others, trusting that all of our true treasure and reward are in Heaven.
Why? Because otherwise I’m wasting what God gave me and ignoring the leading of the Holy Spirit. I want to go and do.
When I’m 80, I want to have raised God-loving children, brought many to know God’s true heart, been a wife of noble character, and have been changed by Him into the woman He desires me to be. I want my faith to be as strong as my friends Tijuana, Thom and Bek, and Carol and Brian. I want to have given all of me in praise for Him!
My radical is stepping into having two babies this year, one (Lord willing) through birth and one through adoption. I know that will require radical trust in God’s strength and letting go of my own life.
Another radical for me will be writing my second book. I have to finish it before I give birth, so I feel a positive pressure to get moving and get the message of this book down on paper. More to come on that in the next post.
I have been searching high and low for a song that feels right, but I haven’t found just one. Last year my song was Oceans, because I felt so pulled to step into the deep I-must-give-all-my-trust-to-God waters of adoption. This year, I’m still seeking my song. A few that I love (worth clicking over and reading the lyrics) are:
I Love To Tell the Story – This is my heart for this year — to keep telling His story.
Victory in Jesus – We sang this at Bunny’s memorial service and I sing it almost every morning with Grace. It encourages me greatly! The victory has already been won.
Hide Me – a favorite for years.
I’ll report back when I find the one song that fits best.
a little reminder above from me to you : )
Here are your next steps!
How many of you have ideas about your goals as we’ve gone through this series and you are already overwhelmed or anxious about HOW to make them happen? You want all of your goals to have been tackled yesterday. This series is an exercise in patience and doing things little by little to produce lasting results. If you are feeling overwhelmed, we’re about to dive into some clear waters as we set goals that have meaning. Because, you know what? The journey to making those things happen is where the good stuff lives. Your goals may change half-way through the year or you may make them happen faster than you think if you take it day by day by day. This is about progress, not perfection. I know you overachievers want to have done everything yesterday, but I have also been reading every single comment on this series. Taking this step by step is helping many of you make remarkable discoveries! I’m so pumped by all the lightbulbs I see going off! Little by little, babies grow. Can you imagine if we got pregnant and the next day have birth to toddlers?? We wouldn’t be ready and we would have missed so much sweetness. It is the same with our goals. They matter enough to make them happen well.
First off, review. This is important. Get the big picture crystal clear in your mind and heart before you write your goals. Read through everything you’ve done so far. Read every word. Re-write or add to things if you need to. I added to my lists and re-wrote things after going through this process because I got more clarity. Cross stuff out, revise things, add to your lists of what did and didn’t work (I added a ton to mine!). Add more to your YES and NO lists. Refine your 2015 Pinterest board. Take pins out that don’t fit well. Refine everything and get CLEAR before moving to the final exciting step…
Yeah, yeah, yeah! You’ve made it! Like I told you from the start of this process, traditional goal setting does not work for me. Swiftly-made resolutions get forgotten and then they linger and make you feel guilty for forgetting them. Anyone else ever experience this? Well, hopefully at this point you feel more equipped than when you started this process to write some down good goals. Goals that mean something. Goals that are very clear and will help you live on purpose. So, let’s do it!
Four helpful tips:
1. Review! Read through all of your progress again so you have all of it fresh in your mind. Don’t set goals before you do that step above!
2. Make a list of the first goals that come to your mind for this year when right after you review everything you’ve written. I suggest taking a big deep breath and putting on your 2015 song as you start writing goals. These don’t have to be perfectly written — just write what first comes to mind.
3. Then, check your goals to make sure they are really good goals. It’s so easy to make goals that sound good or goals that other people have that you think you should have, too, just to keep up. Don’t do that. The idea here is for you to SIMPLIFY your life, not to give yourself a new to-do list of random things that sound good. Be very specific and careful about what you decide to spend your time on this year.
Do a GOAL CHECK and ask these questions:
– Will this goal help me live on purpose?
– Does this goal also help other people?
– WHY would I spend my time on this goal?
If the answer is NO to that first question, then it’s possible it’s not the best use of your precious time. Don’t run in circles with goals that don’t directly connect to what matters most. Get specific. Focus on what really matters to you in the big picture. Cross goals out that don’t 100% fit. Revise goals that are not clear. Be bold and take leaps of faith as you write.
4. This is the most important key to goal setting. Write down your WHY with every goal. When I was a personal trainer in New York for many years, most clients would come to me with a number and say, “I want to lose 10 pounds.” I would ask them, “WHY 10 pounds?” Usually, when we got down to it, it was just an arbitrary number, or a weight they were in college. There was no real heart connection to the goal of losing 10 pounds. But, when we dug deeper into why they became out of shape in the first place and what they wanted most in life, a picture of true fitness started to emerge. Instead of, “I want to lose 10 pounds because that’s what I weighed in college” (not very motivating and more self-defeating), we worked on goals like, “I want to be healthy and strong so that I can live long enough to walk my daughter down the aisle. I want to live a long, happy life so I can be a better husband and show my kids how to be joyful and healthy, too.” That works. That is motivating. SO, get real with WHY you want these things to happen and connect them to something that really matters to you. It will help you ACT on your goals instead of toss them aside.
I’m going to share my final 2015 goals in the next post. When you are ready, leave yours here in the comments on this post or the final post coming soon!
Some encouragement: the good you do today has the potential to change generations. You never know how long you have left here on this earth to love others and change them for the better in that love. That’s why setting good goals and having a clear focus is so important. Life is to short and too meaningful to coast through. Take your time writing down your goals. Pray on them and talk them out with people you trust. I cannot wait to hear yours and cheer you on! HOORAY!!!
The prizes for this post are possibly the best I could ever give to you. Financial stress is one of the biggest factors I have felt myself in the past and one of the biggest things I’ve seen holding many people back. I want you to know that, no matter how deep your debt or mistakes you’ve made in the past with money, it’s possible to change things. It really is. These prizes below are tools that have brought Ari and me priceless peace. My prayer is that the winners are as changed as we have been by them. Without further ado, today’s prizes are:
1. A session with Will Ray, who has been a friend and mentor to me for several years. His financial coaching has helped us pay off more personal debt than we thought possible in a short time and Will has also changed the way I look at my business finances. I no longer feel overwhelmed by numbers. Wow, that is crazy to say! Will’s guidance equipped me to make smarter decisions.
2. A copy of Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover. If you’ve read my book, you know Dave’s classic book changed the game for us. A must-read.
3. A full nine-lesson Financial Peace University online course. I wish I could gift this to everyone I know!
You can win multiple times throughout this post series and you can increase your chances of winning by:
– Commenting on this post to share your thoughts
— Pinning this post or any in the series
– Instagramming any graphic with a link back here to this post or future posts
– Sharing this series on Facebook or Twitter
– Blogging or in any way sharing this post/series
– For all entires, link back here to www.LaraCasey.com/blog and use the #2015GoalSetting hashtag. You are welcome to use graphics from my posts!
– Lastly, leave a comment saying you did any of the above. You can enter as many times as you like on all posts! I’m going to choose some extra winners along the way, too, for some special surprises : )
P.S. I shared some thoughts here on needing a fresh start. Do you need a fresh start? Already feeling off-track this year? This is for you.
P.P.S. We found out this week that we are having a boy : ) We are grateful and have begun to pray about names. I share this with such a different heart than I did with Grace, though. I know baby news isn’t the easiest for many and have felt that pain in my own small way. We know this child is His, not ours. May the sharing of this little life bring Him honor. I don’t know how exactly that will play out yet, but that is my prayer. I am tearing up typing this to you. I haven’t written to him before this very moment. Son, we love you. God loves you. May your life bring Him great joy.
keep reading
98 Comments
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on January 23, 2015 at 8:25 pm
I just love this series and am so grateful for your willingness to be open, honest and share your journey! I am almost through Make it Happen and it has been awesome! Love this series too and so glad you are doing it again! Congrats on your baby boy! I shared on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!!
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on January 23, 2015 at 8:32 pm
This is exactly the post I need to take myself to the next step! And wow, it is like that prize was made for me 🙂
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on January 23, 2015 at 8:33 pm
I pinned this on Pinterest!
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on January 23, 2015 at 8:34 pm
I love this post! I have read Make it Happen and have the power sheets. This is the first time I have used the power sheets and I really feel they are helping me make better progress than just setting goals and not finishing them. Thanks for your inspiration, your posts are always so helpful and uplifting! While I don’t wish financial stress upon anyone, it is one of my biggest stressors, and it is comforting to know I am not alone! I shared on Pinterest!
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on January 23, 2015 at 8:34 pm
Oh amazing! A boy!!! How wonderful!!!
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on January 23, 2015 at 8:37 pm
I Instagramed at noellerose333
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on January 23, 2015 at 8:50 pm
Congrats on your SON! And Love the goal setting!! The prizes sound incredible!!!
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on January 23, 2015 at 8:52 pm
A boy???? A boy!!!!! How wonderful!!!! Being a mom to four is one of the hardest most beautiful journeys I could never be more proud to be on. So happy for this next chapter in your story. Praying for you!!! XO-Nat
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on January 23, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Lara, you’re going to be the best Mama to a baby boy 🙂 Congratulations sweet friend. Oh and while I’ve never entered any of your giveaways I must say this one hits home for me. Andrew and I just got back from an appointment with our financial advisor discussing the rest of our lives and where we want to be and so much of it revolved around future memories we hope to make with our kids and grandkids. To leave a legacy for them that they can build off of, means being smart with our finances today (as Dave Ramsey says in The Legacy Journey, we are just the manager of our money, truly it’s God’s money). Financial Peace University is on my goal list for the next couple years and I’d love to attend it with my husband 🙂 I love you!
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on January 23, 2015 at 9:08 pm
I loved the songs you posted – when I listened to “Hide Me” it brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing that with us – I’ll be adding it to my 2015 playlist for sure!
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on January 23, 2015 at 9:08 pm
A boy!! Congrats! Doubly excited to hear of book #2 on the way!
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on January 23, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Hip hip hooray! I’m so excited about the expansion of the Casey-Isaacson crew. Think of you often!! xx
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on January 23, 2015 at 9:27 pm
Lara, I am so encouraged by this series. I like that you make goals feel feasible. I’m sure that you’ve heard the phrase analysis is paralysis. This series has really opened my eyes and heart to taking action. What holds me back is fear. I’m afraid to take action, but why? The Lord has plans to prosper and not to harm us. To give us hope and a future. I just need to step out of my holding pattern. Thank you for this series and sharing your thoughts!
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on January 23, 2015 at 9:30 pm
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy on the way! I pray that you have a safe delivery for Grace’s little brother. I love this post! Financial Advising is something I need desperately as I struggle with student loans and saving up for my first car. I need the diligence and I honestly have no idea where to start!
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on January 23, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Posted on insta, FB and pinterest. 🙂
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on January 23, 2015 at 9:58 pm
Lara, these posts are such an encouragement! And I could not be more thrilled for your beautiful baby BOY!
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on January 23, 2015 at 9:59 pm
Also, I blogged about this series and my goals for the coming year. Getting our finances in order is a huge priority, so this would be an incredible blessing!
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on January 23, 2015 at 11:29 pm
Congratulations!! Wonderful news for all three of you!
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on January 24, 2015 at 1:57 am
Love this so much! I feel like I am a mini- you, Lara. 🙂 20 and in college but I just have an eternal perspective about everything and doing things on PURPOSE! And actually am kinda pumped that I have felt the Lord calling me to North Carolina…because now I know that’s where you live! Maybe we can meet someday!! <3 I will be crafting a blog post in the next few days now that you've gotten my little wheels turning. =) congrats on the baby boy!! Will keep you and your family in my prayers!
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on January 24, 2015 at 2:06 am
Awesome prizes! My radical—get to church! I’ve been going every week so far and am starting to look forward to that time every week. I LOVE the anticipation that morning and being able to dive into worship at the first note. Sure, it doesn’t seem radical, but I feel God’s promise of a great journey with Him this year. I’m journaling all the “God is good” I see in my life each week and he’s already shown me so much.
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on January 24, 2015 at 2:49 am
I am so grateful for you and just overjoyed at how much love you give and that so many give it right back. I love you to the moon and hope your little boy has red hair too. XO
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on January 24, 2015 at 4:00 am
Lara, your story about the plant is beyond beautiful. Thank you for sharing. And the quote at the end is exactly what I needed to read. I think for so long I have been praying about the possible and what I can control instead of praying for the impossible and giving my worries to God. Thank you sweet friend. PS. Congratulations on your sweet little man. He is already beyond blessed to be coming into a beautiful hearted family. PSS. Boys are just heartwarmers. There is something so special to be a little boy’s mama. I am so excited for your family and you. xoxo
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on January 24, 2015 at 5:30 am
I don’t think you know just how truly inspiring you are, Lara! Thank you for this! Congratulations on the news of a boy!
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on January 24, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Your words and the dreams that the Lord has given you were for me! You will never know how much you have impacted my life and made me want to live on purpose! Yes, it’s God but you were obedient and took those scary steps to write that book and build that website that led to many of us changing through God’s words through your heart. Thank you and may God continue to bless you and your family! Oh, and tell Grace I’m rooting for her baby brother’s name to be Nacho 🙂 Love it!!
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on January 24, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Thank you! This series has been truly a breath of fresh air and a challenge to dig deep and seek the Lord for this year! I shared this with friends in Instagram Bc I want them to experience this alongside me. Praying hard for your baby boy and all that God has in store for your family. Thank you for sharing your heart with us!
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on January 24, 2015 at 5:14 pm
Loving this series! It’s really helping me nail down my goals and creating small steps to make them happen. For example, I narrowed down improve blog photography to posting one blog a week with “great” photos. Also, congrats on your baby boy!
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on January 24, 2015 at 8:09 pm
I have been organizing and re-organizing my notes to set good goals for the past week! And the truth is that I am completely overwhelmed. There is so much room for growth in every area of my life, and I am at a loss at where to even begin.
So today, I’m taking the first step. And perhaps the most imperative step. I am choosing to allow God’s grace to wash over every nook and cranny of my life. And the tangible goal in this is perhaps Goal #1. To Know God’s love, to align my heart with His, and to dream with Him. And in my bouts of frustration with beginning, I can gently and tenderly feel Him revealing His heart for me. He is so good.Lara, best wishes and blessings to you and your growing family!
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on January 24, 2015 at 8:55 pm
Lara, this hits home in so many ways…I’m so thankful I opened the email to your post this afternoon! Powersheets were the entirety of my Christmas wish list this year, and I’m so excited to be starting mine as I look to share your Feb.1st New Year. The orchid is inspiring! I’ve hung onto one myself…brown, lifeless-seeming limbs and no flowers for some time now, but a gift when I lost my grandma three years ago that I’ve just not been able to let go. And I’m going to tend it, I tell ya! A good visual reminder this year as I set out to be intentional in a new way. Thank you for nudging me not to give up on the beauty! And then, as I was reading through your post, I felt this prodding from God…so many things I want to do and accomplish, but the weight of finances sits on me like a too-mighty brick. I’m not sure I’ve acknowledged until now just how much that weight gets in the way, but it’s got to move! As I read further on it was as though you’d read my mind. You are a gem, and God is so clearly using you in a mighty way. Thank you for your transparency and sweetness and encouragement! Lastly, a BOY!!! How beautiful and thrilling for you as you look to the end of this summer and the rest of 2015. What a joy he will be…Congratulations!
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on January 25, 2015 at 4:08 am
Hooray for a baby boy! Congratulations! I know that Gracie is going to be such a joyful and wonderful big sister! I can’t wait to see the way your beautiful story unfolds. Sending lots of love and hugs your way!
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on January 25, 2015 at 12:54 pm
I pinned it!! And boy…could I use a fresh start. I feel like I am always just waiting for the next thing so I can react (often poorly)to it. Well I’m tired of that and want to live a life living in the Lord’s Perfect Present. Each day is a gift. Lord my goal this year is to soak You up and seek You out!! Thank you Lara for your step by step goal setting plan.
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on January 25, 2015 at 1:11 pm
I am so that person who gets a plant and enjoys it until it dies. I honestly had no idea a plant like that could live for 4 years! It’ seriously such a great example of life and how we live for instant gratification. And goodness, this giveaway is so intentional! I’m excited for whoever wins!! We did the FPU and I actually have been reading through those notes wanting to make sure those principles are a part of my everyday. I have been wanting to book a session with Will and would love to win that!! Congrats on the baby boy!!! I can’t wait to see what name God lays on y’alls hearts!! 🙂
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on January 25, 2015 at 4:52 pm
Thanks for such a great post! I’m working through my first ever set of Power Sheets and have not quite reached this step. But I’m taking my time and I know it will be so rewarding! I can’t wait! I’m already feeling their “power”. Or I guess I should say I’m feeling God’s power as I work through them 🙂 As for the giveaway, it would be AMAZING to win! I’m embarking on a lot in my life with financials playing a big part so winning would be awesome. Plus I would love to share it all with my parents. Thanks so much for everything! God bless!
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on January 26, 2015 at 2:54 am
Words can’t describe the clarity that I have received so far this new year; and, it’s not because I mapped out a perfect plan on my PowerSheets. It’s because I keep hearing Lara say, “you don’t have to be perfect.” This has freed me to make a mess of my PowerSheets; while, allowing God’s peace to guide me. One of my goals this year is to become a published author. I know that I have books in me, but I had to get quiet in order to hear them speak! Lara, you will never know the depths of your innovative works with PowerSheets and “Make it Happen.” My light now shines bright!
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on January 26, 2015 at 6:42 pm
I’m so grateful you’ve been encouraged, Lanai!!
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on January 26, 2015 at 7:45 pm
Hi, Lara! I wrote out my entire #2015GoalSetting series, including my goals, here on my blog …
https://livingthegoodlife12.wordpress.com/2015/01/10/making-things-happen-in-2015/
I also got all of my goals put into my PowerSheets! Super excited to start my monthly progress on February 1! 🙂
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on January 26, 2015 at 10:23 pm
I just bought your (amazing!) book this weekend and am flying through it! I’ve followed your blog for over a year now and am just finally getting guts to make things happen. Still working on my #2015goalsetting but getting stoked to see what the Lord has in store!
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on January 27, 2015 at 5:33 am
I am So excited and have already started on some of my biggest goals for life yet. It’s amazing what happens when you vocalize what’s holding you back and take steps to make your biggest dreams a tangible thing. This year while working on my goals I divided them out into 4 main areas – my relationship with God, my relationship with my family, my relationship with my fellow-men and my relationship with myself. Breaking it into those 4 categories helped me to get real, and to make it more specific and balanced. I’m excited to see what 2015 brings!
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on January 27, 2015 at 12:08 pm
Beautiful! You are such an inspiration! I am going to enter the giveaway,love from Croatia, Natasa
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on January 27, 2015 at 5:48 pm
Lara, are you sure it works to start with you now? I sure need a fresh start, but it looks like y’all have done so much already & I don’t need another thing to feel like I’m behind on. If you believe it’s workable please let me know how you suggest doing the catch up work… having some suggested structure would help me not feel as overwhelmed. Thanks! And with a job loss & a son starting college, I’d love to be entered in the drawings for financial guidance.
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on January 28, 2015 at 7:35 pm
I am cheering you on, Gee! Yes, I truly believe that you can start making what matters happen anytime. In fact, many times people start this process mid-year and still benefit just as much. Praying for your job loss and for your son as he starts this adventure!
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on January 27, 2015 at 11:47 pm
Lara! Check out this song, To Be Like You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xsV2TQopUI 🙂 The lyrics are simple and beautiful, and I’m reminded of the song when I read your stories. It even has YOUR word in it. 🙂 God bless you as you continue to be a blessing to others.
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on January 28, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Lara you have been such an inspiration in my life. I appreciate you so much and I praise God that I found your blog.:)
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on January 28, 2015 at 5:11 pm
Congratulations on the exciting news that you will be welcoming a baby boy into this world! I absolutely love reading these posts and get so much out of them, as well as the powersheets. A friend and I took the time this weekend to begin out powersheets, it was so nice having someone I trust to share my thoughts with. It’s actually quite motivational as well.
I also enjoy reading everyone’s comments and encourage people to check out the song “Try” by Colbie Caillait. I heard this song awhile ago but lately I have been listening to it a lot as it now hits me. This is definitely something I struggle with and its crazy how songs can make us feel better!
Lara, I can totally relate on the financial piece too. It is such a burden and it’s on the TOP of my list this year to tackle.
I am still in the process of gathering my goals together but look forward to this journey I will be taking as I start to get my life back on track!
Thank you so much for being such an inspirational person Lara! -
on January 28, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Wow. Congrats!! I would love to win a session with Will and the other financial planning goodies. I know we have a decent foundation, but we also seem to have a huge opportunity to improve in that realm. And it is hard to believe you that there can be no stress in that! I did a rough list in January, but am finding it is already time to revise. Thanks for the points to consider as I do that!
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on January 29, 2015 at 5:05 am
First, all congratulations and love to you on your news of a baby boy! Second, I’m an actress in nyc, started off only in musical theatre, obsessed with perfection, until God stepped in and wrecked my world in a delicious way at the start of last year. I had almost no relationship with Him and now I am hungry for Jesus and scripture constantly. I also run my own business where I teach actors the business side of the biz (and other creatives, too). And the more I have learned about you lately, I keep finding myself laughing thinking that I am a “little lara casey”. Of course our journeys are unique, but still, it’s nice to know you exist for so many reasons. I have zero ideas about finances, especially between my business and my acting career, and would be blessed to learn more in any way. Thank you, again, for existing. Having you to look to has really re-shaped so much and I hope we get to connect further someday! xo
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on January 29, 2015 at 6:36 pm
I am so encouraged by your heart and our similar paths! Cheering you on, Kerry!
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on January 29, 2015 at 7:24 pm
I have been so inspired by this series, and loved reading Make It Happen…….which coincidentally was one of my “goals” for January. Thank you for taking the time to share your heart with us and to encourage us to keep learning and growing and leaning on Him!!
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on January 30, 2015 at 9:51 pm
I wrote this post today that shares a little bit of lead-up to my goal setting for this year. I’m so thankful for the source of encouragement that you have provided during this process, Lara!
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on January 31, 2015 at 6:39 pm
HOORAY! congratulations on the boy! Prayers for His life and your whole family! My goals for this year all revolve around knowing God more. I feel like that is the fresh start I need mentally, emotionally, and even physically. I need to align my goals to His will and I need to know Him to do that!
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on February 1, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Congrats on finding out your having a boy!! You have pushed me to think big and set good goals through the powersheets. One of them is to do community. I’m an introvert at heart, so this is a big deal for me! But what better way to start than with gals I volunteer with at my church to dig into your new book. We are going to make it happen! and I’m excited:) And kind of nervous:) The butterflies in your tummy good kind of nervous:)
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on February 2, 2015 at 3:37 pm
Yay for having a boy!! I am so excited for your growing family 🙂 I will be praying for you, friend!!
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on February 2, 2015 at 8:35 pm
Writing from snowy New England, and as I look out the window of my cozy, warm home (blessing!) – I am reminded of the winter season I am in, in my own life. And every time I sit down to organize my goals, my heart, I get completely overwhelmed with where to begin.
But God – after a decade of chasing His gifts for my own personal gain, took my prayer to search my heart and test my anxious thoughts quite seriously. And so, as I sit in my literal and metaphorical winter – my one purposeful goal for February is to PRESS IN. To lean in to the barren, empty landscape surrounding me in search of the Lord’s goodness, earnestly seeking all that is buried in my heart. Why? Because just surviving is not fruitful or meaningful or life giving. Because I desire the eternal, not the fleeting things of this world. Because in 2015, my life will have meaning and purpose, even if my winter lasts the year. Little by little, right? Holding fast to Isaiah 55:6-13 for this goal, and today specifically verses 10 and 11.
{10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.}
And in spite of it all, I’m hopeful and excited to see how the Lord will grow and fill my life through this bittersweet season.
This is the first of three years reading, that I have committed to taking action and posting on these Goal Setting posts. Grateful for this space to keep myself accountable and fill some of the room in my life with grace. Sweet grace.
Thanks, Lara.-
on February 24, 2015 at 7:40 pm
whawha… I mistakenly posted twice to this post. :/ I intended to post this entry in Part 6… it must have been all the snow clouding my mind. But it’s sunny now – spring is on the way to New England!
On another note, thanks for answering my question about feeling overwhelmed in your podcast. It has been a constant theme for me the last month. I appreciated the encouragement you gave that Overwhelmed = not fully trusting God, trying to control too much, just pray.
Thanks, Lara. I appreciate your inspiration.
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on February 3, 2015 at 8:15 pm
This is a really great giveaway, and is something we are focusing on in 2015. I love working through the Powersheets this year, and looking forward to February being my new January, but it may end up being March:) Thanks for the inspiration!
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on February 3, 2015 at 8:15 pm
Shared on Facebook.
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on February 3, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Shared on Instagram
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on February 4, 2015 at 1:04 am
One of my radicals is also trusting God to provide and ‘make thrive’ our journey into extending our family with (also) a baby boy, due May 22! After 2.5 years of waiting. It really is a year of baby boys for many people I know ~ or for some friends, a girl AFTER having a few baby boys. 🙂 I sense it’s a year of God bringing on FRESH challenges for new angles of JOY in our walk with Him and each other.
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on February 5, 2015 at 2:44 am
Yay for Boys! I have two little boys and they are the best! 🙂
I especially love your point that we shouldn’t just pray for the “possible” but for the impossible because nothing is impossible with God. I need to stop putting God in a box and assume he won’t or can’t do something. He could and He might! 🙂 Great reminder!
Entering for the Conference! Woo hoo! 🙂
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on February 5, 2015 at 6:10 am
I pinned all the posts so far on pinterest. LOVE all your thoughts. Congrats on baby boy 🙂
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on February 5, 2015 at 5:32 pm
This series is such a blessing, Lara. Thanks for giving us so many rich ways to press on toward the goal.
I just can’t believe that you posted this picture of this orchid. I’m SO blown away because I have a vanda orchid plant that was given to me and is so very symbolic and precious to me. I’m watering it and watering it and emailing botanists to help me out. My parents joke on me, calling it my baby lol. I’ve gotten great advice but I still have fear for the poor plant. Reading your post and seeing your picture has confirmed in me that God created that plant and He can do anything! (including teaching me how to take care of it!)
Bethel’s latest album “We Will Not Be Shaken” has some real treasures on it. I wonder if you might find your song of the year there. Also “Great Is Our God” by Young Oceans is nice. Thanks for sharing the songs that are special to you.
<3
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on February 6, 2015 at 8:13 pm
I absolutely LOVE this series!! Thank you!
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on February 10, 2015 at 8:28 pm
Congrats on your growing family Lara!!! I loved this post. I’m going to go back now to my 2015 goal list and write out my why for each one. My husband and I would love to attend the Financial Peace University class this year! I believe there’s a freedom that comes with understanding your finances and controlling your money, and we’re eager to attain that freedom this year!
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on February 11, 2015 at 10:21 pm
Congratulations on your sweet news!
My favorite part of this post is remind us to make a WHY for our goals. It’s so easy to say that we want to make something happen, but it really roots the goal in us when we have to share WHY. :o)
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on February 12, 2015 at 1:03 am
I heard Mark Burnett speak recently. He said “A lot of people will hear the call, but they need to get up all the couch and do something about it.” This year, I want to be intentional about getting off the couch and actually carrying out some of my ideas. I know that the Lord has given me great talents and ideas, I just need to be brave enough to step out in faith. Thank you so much for sharing your heart through this series!
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on February 12, 2015 at 4:14 am
You’re having a BOY! AHHH! I am just over-the-moon happy for you and Ari and Grace. Also, Hans and I have some orchids of our own that we desperately want to see bloom. Plants teach me patience 🙂
I linked to all the blog posts in this series in my own 2015 Goal Setting post right here > https://www.ouryellowdoor.com/2015-goals/
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on February 12, 2015 at 9:30 pm
Your posts are so encouraging! You are helping me get on track on so many aspects of my life. Thank you!
P.S. I pinned this. 🙂
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on February 14, 2015 at 11:55 pm
What an awesome giveaway – would love to win this to help me make things happen in 2015 🙂
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on February 15, 2015 at 2:20 am
Oh if this is still open I would love to win!! Small business owner (and taking on more?!) With a young but growing family. I have read your book twice, you are such an encouragement!!! Many blessings!
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on February 15, 2015 at 6:22 am
Mu husband & I need something like this to help us have a fresh start with our finances. We’ve struggled in this area for so long, continually bringing it to the Lord & striving to pay off the debt we have because we know it’s possible. We’ve made a dent and have paid off quite a bit in the pat 2 years. Now with a baby, it seems this has just begun to be put on the back burner & I don’t want that! Thanks for sharing your heart in this area & encouraging others to live in financial health. Congrats on your baby boy! God is glorified through his precious life.
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on February 15, 2015 at 6:25 am
“my most purposeful year yet” pinned! I already feel victory by telling myself this!
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on February 15, 2015 at 8:32 pm
I also tweeted this! Love being able to share your wisdom with others, Lara 🙂
> https://twitter.com/rachel_nordgren/status/565726040816115715 -
on February 16, 2015 at 1:12 am
I’m pinning links to all the goal setting posts like crazy! I’m so grateful to you and #PowerSheets!
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on February 16, 2015 at 1:15 am
First off, YAY for having a boy. Oh my stars being a mama to a boy is a wild, wonderful ride. SO happy for you, friend. Onto goals…an overarching goal I have this year is to use our company and it’s products to point people to Christ. And while mission statements and lovely blog posts are good, the nit and grit of real business decisions take over my heart often and I have to keep coming back to our mission statement. I’m scared to spend money, often. Not just in business but in every day spending. Last month in a webinar, I think on the Make it Happen Book, you suggested reading Dave Ramsey’s Entreleader. I’ve since been recommended that book by several others. I’ve added it to the book list for March! I want to build a brand that will see fruit financially to enable my husband and I to provide life experiences for our son (ex. college tuition) that otherwise we wouldn’t be able to do. Thank you for your encouragement and sharing your story…I’m not sure I can say that enough!
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on February 16, 2015 at 4:49 am
This is so, so good.My goals in this season are kind of clumped into themes that break down nicely into little steps. “Learn” and “love” are the two overarching categories that seem happening this year. I’m trying to keep things simple and purposeful.
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on February 16, 2015 at 4:56 am
I shared on Facebook!
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on February 16, 2015 at 3:43 pm
Love this giveaway…read a bit from D. Ramsey in the past and loved it…the FPU would be the best! Love the Powersheets too…thank you so much for all you do. Pinning now 🙂
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on February 16, 2015 at 9:49 pm
This is truly inspiring, Lara! And I must say, your book is serving as a huge motivation for me this year to follow my business dreams.
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on February 16, 2015 at 10:04 pm
I started my power sheets today. Feb/March works as a good starting point. It shows life is a little messy!!!
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on February 16, 2015 at 10:30 pm
I am so inspired by how detailed your goal setting is. I’m getting there!
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on February 16, 2015 at 11:05 pm
Wow! This is amazing! I can’t wait to read through all your posts! I’ve been through a bunch of huge life changes this year, starting a full time job while also beginning two new businesses – beachbody coach and a music school. I feel incredibly blessed, but also wish my husband and I could get our finances under control. We’ve been wanting to do the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University for a long time, but haven’t had the money. I love this goal setting advice, and I’m excited to apply it to my new businesses!
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on February 16, 2015 at 11:59 pm
What a beautiful thing to do !!! I hope in the future to be able to gift something like this !!! Even just Financial Peace alone is a great gift !!!! Lord I pray you position me to lead & bless in your name :). Amen !
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on February 17, 2015 at 12:32 am
I find you so intriguing and inspiring. I am in Raleigh and so hoping to meet you someday! I would love love LOVE to go to the conference. Winning would be a dream!!!
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on February 17, 2015 at 1:35 am
I am still working on my 2015 Goals and this is just what I needed. This year I want to be intentional with everything I am doing and be a good steward of what God has entrusted me with. I am working on being financially independent from my parents and at the same time, paying for the down payment of my new home. I am also halfway through my weight loss journey and planning on 2015 to be the year I reach my target weight.
Thank you for being an inspiration and God’s channel of blessing. May God continually bless you. 🙂
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on February 17, 2015 at 1:35 am
It is so interesting that I read this today. I am always, it seems, in fresh start mode. I began again with my blog last week. I shared with my husband today how hard and frustrating it is to constantly be making mistakes in our financial goals. I had to remind myself that mistakes and poor choices don’t reflect a lack of commitment. Rather, they reflect why these things are goals and not already things achieved. I am a work in progress and must give myself abundant grace often and frequently. My goals are in the areas of work (writing), health and finances. I so want to make these things happen. They just feel awfully overwhelming at times. #2015goalsetting PS- I pinned this post, shared on Instagram and tweeted about the series. I do hope many people come back and read these and begin their process. I believe we all have much God wants us to do. Thanks for your help and encouragement. Congrats and prayers for your growing family.
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on February 17, 2015 at 2:55 am
Lara, I see you DOING all those things that you say you want to do so that this year is your most purposeful year yet. And I am honored, humbled, and blessed to be a recipient of your selflessness! And I love the Dave Ramsey and Will Ray portion of this post. Dave was a game-changer in my life as well! And I am inspirted and in awe of Will and Nancy!!
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on February 17, 2015 at 3:22 am
Whew! This is my favorite part of the year! Taking January slow to reflect on the year that just ended and praying and dreaming for the next. These years with the powersheets and this series have been a total blessing! Love you Lara!
While I want to keep my goals to myself for a little longer (part of my Be Still word for the year) I can share that I just have 5 goals, my old perfectionist self wants to fill all 10 of them but I want to be very intentional on how I use my time this year. Hitting a break on business to seek God and His real purpose for my life.
Here’s to a purposeful and blessed 2015!! xoxo -
on February 17, 2015 at 3:34 am
I just posted on IG and regrammed (is that a word? ha) your post from LaraCaseyShop and I think I included all the necessary links/hashtags.
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on February 17, 2015 at 3:41 am
Pinned on Pinterest!
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on February 17, 2015 at 4:26 am
Lara,
Every time that I read you words, I am freshly inspired and pushed to talk to God. The Powersheets have been a positive influence on my daily life.I think about your question of what will it look like when I am 80, and I honestly can’t even imagine. There are so many blocks in my life right now that I am just working day to day, but this question is in the back of my mind because I want to get to a place where I can imagine 80.
Thank you for continuing to inspire and being a beacon for Christ.
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on February 17, 2015 at 5:06 am
Well,darn. I just wrote a nice reply to this post and went and accidentally hit gh wrong button and it got deleted!
I just wanted to say congrats on your little boy. Grace is going to be a great big sister! Boys are a big adventure, you and Ari are going to have so much fun!
I’m still working on my goals (and powersheets!) for the year, but I see some major themes coming out: trusting God more fully, being more “present” in my life and with my family, and living more intentionally. -
on February 17, 2015 at 3:42 pm
Oh Lara! So excited to meet your new little son! What a blessing to be able to open your family to Lord willing two new littles this year 🙂 your last image “I need a fresh start” is speaking right to my soul… Today isn’t January 1st or February 1st or even a first at all, but it’s never to late to start fresh. I will not give in to the feelings of anxiety and defeat!
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on February 17, 2015 at 3:53 pm
Posted on Instagram!
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on February 17, 2015 at 3:53 pm
Posted on Facebook!
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on February 20, 2015 at 4:18 am
Thank you so much for this series! I have been setting personal goals for myself for a few years now, but this is my first year with your Power Sheets. This has been a wonderful and challenging time to regroup and focus on what truly matters.