Hi, friend! I’m so glad you’ve landed here at the 9th annual Goal Setting Series! Here is Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 to get you started.
Have you heard the news?! The 2020 One-Year PowerSheets are SOLD OUT for the year! The good news? You can still get the 2020 Six-Month Undated PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner and get started at any time of the year!
Want to listen to this post instead of reading it? Listen to today’s brand new episode of the Cultivate Your Life podcast and subscribe on iTunes!
Welcome to the final post in the ninth-annual Intentional Goal Setting Series! Each year, I am left in awe of the leaps of faith you take as we go through this goal-uncovering process together, and this year tops them all.
I’m especially grateful today to be spending my 40th birthday here with you, uncovering what matters together—there’s no better way to spend a birthday than with friends! AND… today is the 1-year birthday of the PODCAST! 🎉 It has been so fun to see which episodes you loved most this year! Listen in to today’s episode for the official countdown by a very special guest.
8 | How to Let Go of a Dream
7 | When Your Plans Don’t Go As Planned
6 | Why I Stopped Straightening My Hair
5 | Is It Okay to Set Goals as a Christian?
4 | How to Plan Your Year
3 | There’s Nothing Magical About January 1
2 | How to Number Your Days
1 | She Believed She Couldn’t
My favorite episode? How to Number Your Days! What’s your favorite? I’d love to hear!
And now for some goal setting goodness! What a joy to do this work alongside you, friends. You are setting yourself up for your best year yet! If you are just joining, it’s not too late—you aren’t “behind” one bit. Now is the best time to get started:
Part 1: How to Get Started on Your BEST 2020 Goals
Part 2: How to Choose a Word of the Year
Part 3: The Intentional Goal Setting Checklist
This final post is the most impactful. Ready to dig in? Let’s do some dreaming together!
Imagine the end of 2020. December 2020 rolls around, and you start reflecting on the year you just lived. What would it take for you to look back and know you cultivated what mattered? What will you wish you had started today?
(Sometimes it helps to think about the opposite too—where do you NOT want to be at the end of 2020?)
Have some ideas?
Knowing where you want to be or how you want to feel, do something about it today. Yes, today.
This is a success tip that might change everything for you as it has for me: when you have an idea of where you want to go, don’t waste time—take that first small step. No need to write it down or have a perfect plan, just get to it! (Really—get up from reading this right now and take whatever the next best step is to get you to where you want to be at the end of 2020! Just one tiny step. I’ll still be here when you get back. :))
Get the momentum going while it’s fresh on your mind and you’ll be more likely to take the next step, then the next, and the next… and before you know it, you’re there!
Every decision we make has an arrow attached to it, pointing us in one direction or another. However many hours or minutes are left in the day as you read this (even if you are reading this in bed), how can you shoot one of your decision arrows in the right direction?
I want my decision arrows aimed right at the target. That’s what being intentional is all about.
Need an idea for a starting step? Make your Best Year Declaration! This is a mad-lib style 2020 manifesto generator—fun, right? Just fill in your words, choose the color you want, and it makes a 2020 declaration for you to print or share. Mine is below, and you can make yours right here for free (share this with friends, too!). I can’t wait to see yours!
As I finished my 2020 PowerSheets® and this goal-uncovering process today, I made some decisions on where I’m going and where I’m not going—and it feels so good!
Now, it’s your turn to do the same.
Are you excited? I’m excited for you!
Let’s step forward into 2020 together ON PURPOSE.
Feeling a little fear about that? I feel it, too. What if our plans don’t go as planned? What if we don’t accomplish our goals? What if we fail?
Remember this: when what matters to you is clear, you can’t lose. It’s likely your life will change this year and things won’t always go as planned. But! Here’s what you have now that you may not have had before:
You know that goals won’t change your life.
Knowing what matters in 2020 will.
Goals are just how you get there.
It’s okay for your goals to change throughout the year—they often do!
You won’t make perfect progress—and you don’t need to!
See, I told you we’re doing this differently than the rest of the world.
YOU are on a whole new path, my friend.
Anytime you need a reminder that it’s okay to grow slow and that your small steps will add up this year, I’ll be here for you. I need those reminders, too. ☺️
Imagine the end of 2020 and you’ll know: what matters is always worth it. So, let’s believe in what we can’t yet see. Let’s take some steps forward and, little by little, the fear part will dry up. We’re not going to fertilize the fear this year, friends! Are you with me?
Let’s decide to take action on goals that cut through all the things to get to the things that matter.
Won’t that feel so good?!
One last reminder: we are always “in progress.” Your goals may be the same! As you go through different seasons, the way you take action on your goals may change. As you learn new lessons and take on new life responsibilities, your capacity to do different things may change, too. As you write out your goals, remember that you don’t have to set them for the calendar year. Set them for just this season ahead, and refresh your goals every few months. This is why we put a Goal Refresh in the PowerSheets for every season.
Don’t you feel so much freedom knowing your goals don’t have to be forever?
Ahhhh!!! I’m so ready!
WRITE YOUR GOALS USING THE CULTIVATE WHAT MATTERS METHOD:
— Goal: Write your goal starting with a verb.
— My why: Write out WHY this goal matters to you in the big picture. Remember, knowing what matters changes everything!
— The positive effect taking action on this goal may have on my life and others: Think of the biggest possibilities here—the positive impact this goal could have. Even if your goal feels “small,” write out the big possibilities!
— Break your goal down into mini-goals: Every big-picture goal is made up of mini-goals along the way. Over the course of the next year, what mini-goals would help you achieve or make progress on your bigger goal?
— What could stand in the way of your progress? What distractions or challenges could you face? Write out how you’ll turn those challenges into opportunities or what you’ll do to get rid of the roadblocks to your goal.
— What does it look like to win? What specifically does it look like to complete this goal or make progress? What would it look like to win this goal at the end of 2020?
— Starting steps + when you’ll do them: Sometimes the hardest part is getting started, right? Write out a few very small starting steps, steps that are so small you can’t help but do them. Also, add a date to each to keep you accountable. You’ll see my examples below!
— Encouraging words: Give yourself a strong pep talk for the days you know you’ll need it! Bonus tip: Consider including a Bible verse to go with each goal, if you like.
Okay, let’s write out some 2020 goals! Are you ready?
Here are my 2020 Goals for this year of DELIGHT (I can’t wait to hear yours, too!).
Goal: Number my days.
Why: I only get this one life, and only the Lord knows how long I will get with our children and Ari.
The positive effect taking action on this goal may have on my life and others: I will ruthlessly cut out anything that hinders me from LIVING THIS LIFE! This will have a domino effect in my life, changing everyone around me as I live for Him!
Mini-goals (I’ll be using my PowerSheets to break these down even more!):
—Cultivate our marriage as a reflection of His extravagant love and grace. Really excited about this goal and already started collecting words about marriage for my commonplace book. The second quote here from Lisa is a favorite.
—Pray-pare to cultivate faith in our children, instead of winging it most days. A little intentional forethought will go a long way.
—Run with Him – push my limits to meet with Him in my workouts.
—Be with Him far more than the world—step away for perspective. Have intentional times away in my weeks, months, and in the rhythm of our year to gain Godly perspective.
What could stand in the way of your progress? Not embracing new changes and different ways of doing things. Keeping my habits and patterns and nudges the same.
What does it look like to win? This goal comes down to basic math: spend less time with the world, and more time with Him—and grow a love for Him in Ari and our children in the process. By the end of the year, I want to look back and say, “Wow, I spent so much time with God this year! And I didn’t miss the distractions ONE BIT.”
Starting steps: My starting step for my mini-goal of Running with Him already happened! We have an elliptical we got on Craigslist forever ago and I started taking Peloton running classes for accountability on their app this month. I. Love. It. I have never sweat so much in my life, and the kids can play Legos or read books in the same room!
Encouraging words: Lara, you get this one life! You don’t know how long you will have here on this earth with these children and Ari and the people around you. It’s time to LIVE it! Bible verse: Psalm 90:12 – Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Goal 2: Delight in the Lord
Why: Because that is where real life is.
The positive effect taking action on this goal may have on my life and others: Everything in my life and the lives of everyone around me will be changed and affected by this! A domino-effect of faith fertilized.
Mini-goals:
—Experience solitude with God – interact with my physical Bible and go deeper in prayer. I’ll be reading the New Testament slowly with friends and doing the Fresh Faith Challenge in January to start the year!
—Orient our lives with Sabbath at the center. This podcast episode was really eye-openning for Ari and me on Sabbath at the center.
—Keep a commonplace book (of delight in Him!).
—Wonder in God’s creation and the miracles He places before us – this includes lots of time out in the garden, hiking (so pumped to hike this year), and running with the kiddos!
What could stand in the way of your progress? Similar to my first goal, not doing things differently. This goal takes a lot of intentional change in how I use my time and in breaking habits to make new ones! What stands in my way is embracing the hard period of new change to get to the point where Sabbath as the center of our lives and solitude are part of who we are!
What does it look like to win? At the end of 2020, winning means looking back and seeing that we changed! We learned how to worship the Lord more together as a family instead of rushing to the next thing. We did Sabbath in new ways—which means doing Saturday differently than most of the world. It means having noticed His goodness and slowed down to thank Him in my commonplace book—a book I hope to pass to our children. And it means interacting with my physical Bible, writing in the margins and touching my phone less!
Starting steps: I’m using the chambray Legacy Journal for my commonplace book. My starting step is to decide what categories I’ll keep in the book. Right now, I’m thinking a section for quotes and clippings that help me delight in Him and that help me focus on these goals, and a section for things we’re grateful for that He has done through the year—counting the fruit and naming His faithfulness for the times we’re sure to need a reminder. As we’ve talked about a lot together this year on the podcast, studies show we retain information better when we write something out in handwriting because we are engaging with it actively and using the information in a novel way. (See this article.) That’s what I want to do—meditate on what is good, pure, lovely and true! When I’ll do this: December 30th is my set-up day!
Encouraging words: Be like David, who delighted in the law of the Lord day and night! Bible verse: (Psalm 37:4) Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
There you have it! My 2020 goals! I LOVE them and I can’t wait to hear yours! 🎉
My 2020 vision board is above! I love it so much!
Whether you came up with two goals or twenty, answering these simple prompts will help you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
Tell me: what are your 2020 goals? I can’t wait to hear! (And remember, there’s no rush, and there’s nothing magical about January 1! Take your time doing each step in this series. Your goals will come as you keep digging in.)
Dear All of Our 2020 Selves,
We’re comin’ for you!
We’re making intentional decisions for you now to set you up for success—success that lasts longer than you.
We’re thinking big picture to uncover some really good goals. Goals that make our hearts sing. Goals that are about growing what matters. They might be challenging and hard work at times, but they will be WORTH IT.
Little by little, we’re taking steps forward for you.
2020 selves, the year ahead may not be perfect, but it sure will be meaningful.
We’ve got you.
We love you.
We’re on it!
Love,
Our December 2019 Selves 😘
My Top 9 from Instagram this year. Every one of these posts was written as a reminder of His faithfulness in hard things. Apparently, these resonated with you, too. Especially important to note: that middle post where my husband went viral was your favorite!
You’re ready for an intentional 2020, my friend! Focus on progress—little by little progress—not perfection. Your small steps forward today will add up, and a year from now, you will be so grateful you started today! (If you need help along the way, just ask!)
⭐️ Want more? Team Cultivate and I will be here cheering you on with tips and encouragement, Lord willing, every day, week, and month of 2020! A few favorite resources to get you started on the right foot:
1. Read my books—both were written for this season of setting goals and starting fresh! My first book, Make it Happen, and my new book, Cultivate: A Grace-filled Guide to Growing and Intentional Life, are available wherever books are sold. I was so grateful to record the audiobooks for you, too!
2. Order your PowerSheets to follow-through on your goals year-round. The way you’ll achieve the goals you’ve set is by tending them little by little—and that’s exactly what PowerSheets help you do. Get 15% off with the code BESTYEAR2020.
3. Get on my email list for weekly inspiration and encouragement— and to be the first to know when our new products release.
4. Join me in person for the Making Things Happen Conference in March. We’ll spend two days together, uncovering what matters to you and making an action plan you can’t wait to get started on! I can’t wait to see you there! The early-bird rate ends January 31st, and there are only a few seats left.
5. Listen to the Cultivate Your Life Podcast. You might love the episode on How to Follow Through on Your Goals!
6. Know that you are loved and seen by a very real God who wants to guide you every step of the way this year!
Happy 2020, friends! I am so grateful for you! This may be the end of this series, but it’s just the beginning! Let’s do this!
Need some extra motivation? The Ultimate New Year’s Giveaway is on! I hope this gives you a little extra encouragement to share your answers as we go through this series. There are 35 prizes, so that means 35 of you are going to win one of these prizes—it could be YOU. (Including international friends!)
A big thank you to everyone who entered! What a joy it was to hear your responses and get to chat with you in the comments! Congratulations to our winners below! If you’re a winner, fill out this form to collect your prize within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected!
Here’s what you could win…
— 10 sets of 2020 PowerSheets to help 10 of you cultivate your BEST year yet! –– Jennifer Abe, Diana Riddle, Gina Fornito, Sarah Gusky Kemer, Noelle Carroll, Misty Krasawski, Mikel Rogers, Susan Smith, Tracey Mai-Lauffer, and Ashley Woleben
— A Goal Guide Bundle to help you dig deeper on your specific goals. –– Lindsey Sivils
— Five signed copies of Cultivate. –– Shelby Koerner, Sara D Whittle, Sarah Snyder, Gail Boos, Rebecca Burton
— Five signed copies of Make It Happen. –– Ashly Hilst, Jessica Evans, Andraea LaVant, Rebecca Olsen, and Cheryl Tynes
— One Write the Word All Seasons Collection to help you cultivate fresh faith all year long. –– Tanya Chmunevich
— A gift card (YES!) for a massage to kick off your year refreshed! –– Ruth Gyllenhammer
— A pair of Apple Airpods to listen to your favorite podcasts, music, or audiobooks. –– Cee Jay
— A Swoozie’s gift card for all of your gifting needs! –– Luna Stanley
—A Revelation Wellness membership with a ‘Wellness Kickoff Package” to cultivate your health in the New Year. –– Megan Kurtz
— Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University course—a life-changing experience to help you pursue financial freedom. –– Callie Carter
— One Val Marie Paper Yearly Prayer Journal. I’ll be using one this year, too! –– Marcia Howell
— An Audible subscription to check all those books off your reading
list! ––Hailey Noonan
— One Art Bar canvas (up to $150 value) to brighten up your walls. ––Jamie Goodall
— A Fitbit to help you celebrate your literal steps forward. –– Christine Langford-Dixon
— An Echo Dot to keep you dancing. –– Rachel Nordgren
— Two Italian Gift Frames from Framebridge to frame the memories that matter most! –– Hosanna Stump and Julie David Roberts
Why am I doing this? I want you—yes, YOU—to know what I know now on the other side of burned out and overwhelmed: there’s a different way to do this—a way that works. Step by step, you are going to feel ready, renewed, and clear about your year ahead. I’m so excited for you!
Finally, a request: share this series with your people! Don’t keep all this goodness to yourself! I’d be so grateful if you spread the word about this free series. Email this post to your friends, tweet it, ‘gram it (here are lots of sharable graphics for you to make it easy!), text it—sing it to the rooftops! Let’s get all our friends in on this so they can feel as refreshed and clear about 2020 as we will. Here’s to our best year yet together—starting now!
Enter your email for the FREE Goal Setting Series ebook!
And so much more!
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105 Comments
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on December 27, 2019 at 9:12 am
I’ve been waiting for this post all week and it did not disappoint! Thank you! 🙂
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on December 27, 2019 at 10:36 am
I’m so glad you’re encouraged, Shirley!!
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on December 27, 2019 at 9:30 am
I am so excited to dig into my Powersheets! I started making some notes as I listened to the podcast and read the Goal Setting series, but I made myself wait until after Christmas to really dig in. It’s go time! And I am so excited to read about the Commonplace book – I’ve been doing this for years, but never knew it was “a thing”. 🙂
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on December 27, 2019 at 10:37 am
Can’t wait for you to dig in and uncover what matters most!
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on December 27, 2019 at 11:09 am
This is my third year using Powersheets! I am so excited. I have learned my rhythms and they best way for me to keep chipping at my goals. I love the idea of “numbering our days” it’s so true! I don’t want to live with regret and time is flying by!
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on December 27, 2019 at 1:21 pm
Yes, Donna!! So grateful for you!
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on December 27, 2019 at 11:49 am
I had such a big list of goals. But many of them are related. So maybe they are more like mini goals. I think here are my big 3 overarching ones. It’s all around health – healthy bodies, healthy relationships, and spiritual health. My hope is to accomplish these through focus and simplifying (my two words). Thank you Laura for all the encouragement and awesome advice (as always). And Happy Birthday 🎂🎉🎉!!
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on December 27, 2019 at 1:22 pm
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I’m so grateful you’ve been encouraged! I’m cheering you on!
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on December 27, 2019 at 1:40 pm
My goal for 2020 is to be a good steward with all that God has given me. I started kickboxing to improve my health for my body is a temple of the Lord. I will study His word daily – by myself and with others – to draw nearer to Him so He will draw nearer to me. I will schedule more date nights and family dates to deepen our relationships and find new ways to share Jesus’ love. I will declutter and organize my home so I can invite friends over for fellowship. I will stick to my budget so I can be prepared for retirement and emergencies.
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on December 30, 2019 at 12:41 pm
So excited for you! I’m cheering you on, Amber!
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on December 27, 2019 at 4:07 pm
I actually posted my goals on the last blog post. Whoops! But I’d like to add one more. I want to finish my book this year which means spending more time writing/editing and being open to other people reading it and listening to their feedback.
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on December 30, 2019 at 12:41 pm
So exciting, Heather!
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on December 27, 2019 at 6:33 pm
My goals will be simple- focus on being present!!
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on December 30, 2019 at 12:42 pm
Yes! So good, Lindy! I’m cheering you on!
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on December 27, 2019 at 6:36 pm
Hey! So I am still working on finalizing my goals BUT I KNOW my key areas: Time with God ( in physical Bible with journaling). Relationship with my husband. I just want to show him more love. My health – I need to loose weight. That atmosphere of my home has been on my heart and I know growing in each of these areas will help the atmosphere of my home.
I’m also using a common place type book…its nice to have things in one place! Check out Growth Roots Co.
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on December 30, 2019 at 12:43 pm
Love it! I’m excited to see you cultivate what matters, Jessica!
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on December 27, 2019 at 9:38 pm
Lara, I attended the Cultivate Your Year Live and it was the MOST inspiration conference I have been to in a LONG time. It was SUPER fabulous to meet you! I’m crazy excited about this year and already have my January tending list ready to go! I’ve applied for my website name, am working on my WHY (Start with Why-Simon Sinek) before I start my business plan, and am praying on my knees daily! I feel like I’ve already won in 2020, regardless of the outcome!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Hooray! I loved meeting you as well, Sarah! I’m cheering you on!
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on December 27, 2019 at 10:10 pm
Im ready! Prep work done. Daily planner set up. I have never been more ready to work on myself. Thank you!
Blessings in the New Year!-
on December 30, 2019 at 1:14 pm
Hooray! So excited to see you cultivate what matters, Hadera!
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on December 27, 2019 at 11:09 pm
Love the reminder/encouragement to break goals down. It’s much less intimidating than making goals for the entire year.
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:14 pm
I’m so grateful you’ve been encouraged!
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on December 28, 2019 at 11:06 am
I’m still fleshing out my 2020 goals. But I’m working on that today as well as my vision board!
I love the thought you had about interacting with your physical Bible this year and want to definitely do that this year. I get too caught up in being perfect with the daily plan and don’t want to feel that pressure only his presence.
I love the commonplace book thing – never heard of it, but love to write things out – great idea!
Thanks for this series!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:16 pm
So exciting! I’m cheering you on, Lindsay!
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on December 28, 2019 at 12:43 pm
Ok- I’m a Powesheets newbie this year but have already felt so accomplished and empowered just walking through the process of goal setting and clarifying my whys. I am a recovering over achiever that usually has way unrealistic expectations and then crashes and burns so this process has helped so much. BUT now that it’s time to begin to walk these things out I feel afraid. I am a homeschooling mom of 5 – all 10 and under. One is a sweet baby boy who does NOT sleep well and rarely naps in his bed- despite much effort. So- I don’t feel like I have much control of our days and I definitely have very little time that I call my own. Part of my goal for 2020 is changing that and taking back the reins of my hours and days instead of being victim to the chaos of so many children at home all day. Does anyone have specific tips for meeting goals with babies and lots of littles? Making these important things actually happen with the constant stream of demands that don’t seem negotiable?
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on December 28, 2019 at 2:22 pm
This was such a great series! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:17 pm
I’m so grateful you’ve been encouraged, Amy!!
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on December 28, 2019 at 2:48 pm
This morning I was working on creating a clear workspace as a step towards one of my goals. I got distracted and started straightening up and organizing the pantry. I started on the guilt and shame of not staying on the task that I had originally intended to accomplish when I realized that what I was doing was part of another goal. PARTY started and I threw away the guilt and shame hats and put on the celebration and intentional hats!! Little by little I WILL make progress!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:18 pm
Love it, Leslie! I’m cheering you on!
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on December 28, 2019 at 3:00 pm
I narrowed my goals down to two bit ideas this year:
1. Live Creatively.
2. Become Well-Rounded (I’m not sold on the phrasing of this yet, but for now, that’s it!).The first goal is all about reflecting God and who He has made me to be, while the second is about establishing healthy habits & embracing my relationships.
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:18 pm
Yes! Such great goals!
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on December 28, 2019 at 6:45 pm
I really love your goals.
If I can just be uncomfortably honest for a quick moment here, I am lately feeling completely terrified of most of my goals–they feel pretty much impossible and my family really needs me to follow through on some of these.
Things just feel a little chaotic right now and it’s hard to imagine doing in 2020 what I’ve set out to do. Hiding in distractions is so very tempting . All the prayers needed here!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:19 pm
I’m cheering you on, Maria! Little by little, progress not perfection!
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on December 28, 2019 at 10:18 pm
I feel so confident about my goals. I love them! They are important to me and if I could have them for the rest of my life, I would be happy!! These are my 80, 90, 100, 2000 goals! Taking care of myself (mind, body and soul), Taking care of my family (mind, body and soul)! These look like moving my body, getting dressed, being ok to splurge once in awhile on clothes/shoes, reading often, writing often, playing games with my kids, going outside with them, healthy snacking, date nights with my hubby!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:19 pm
Yes!! So grateful for you, Justina!
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on December 28, 2019 at 10:50 pm
Thanks for this series! I seem to have a few goals in mind but then when I list what I want to accomplish in those goals I end up with a very long list. Should each item on the list be it’s own goal or how do I know what a reasonable number of items to accomplish should look like?
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on December 29, 2019 at 8:58 am
So glad someone shared your info on Facebook. This is what I need for 2020! I will be sharing too!!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:21 pm
I’m so grateful you’ve been encouraged!
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on December 29, 2019 at 9:46 am
Thanks for your infectious positivity! I am so excited to grow this year!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:21 pm
You are so encouraging! Thank you for these very kind words—that means so much!!! I am cheering you on, Kellie!!
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on December 29, 2019 at 9:51 am
I am so happy that I shared this planner with my best friend. She bought one for her AND her daughter so the three of us can encourage and cheer each other on! My goals this year are to be more intentional in my relationships with others and myself- I think that was a great first step!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:22 pm
Love it, Kellie! I’m cheering you, your friend, and her daughter on!
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on December 29, 2019 at 2:34 pm
So happy to have discovered the tools here, can’t wait until my order arrives!
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Yay! I’m excited for you to dig into your Cultivate goodies!
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on December 29, 2019 at 5:33 pm
I shared your Goals quote with my husband and friends. It is a great reminder to goals are not achieved overnight but we have to put in a little effort daily to accomplish them.
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:25 pm
Yes! I’m so grateful you’ve been encouraged! Cheering you on, Jeanine!
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on December 29, 2019 at 7:56 pm
Today I encouraged my Mom by reminding her of our upcoming trip to visit friends for a week.
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on December 30, 2019 at 1:25 pm
Love it, Charlene!
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on December 30, 2019 at 9:38 pm
This year I’m focusing mainly on values rather than goals, but they all sort of center around a goal I’ve been working toward for the last two years: Cultivate a Life-Giving Home. Mine is very different than Sally Clarkson’s, but what makes it life-giving for our unique family!
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on January 2, 2020 at 10:42 am
So good, Nicole! I’m cheering you on as you cultivate a life-giving home (:
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on December 31, 2019 at 9:48 am
My goals for this year are refine myself, refine my home, refine my relationships.
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on January 2, 2020 at 10:42 am
Such great goals, Heidi!
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on December 31, 2019 at 2:02 pm
I’m new to PowerSheets and am excited to plan my goals!
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on January 2, 2020 at 10:42 am
I am SO glad you’re here Nancy! I am cheering you on!
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on December 31, 2019 at 10:38 pm
Dear Lara, thank you so much for opening up a whole new world to goal setting forbme! Love evry part of my power sheets!
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on January 2, 2020 at 10:43 am
Hooray!! I am SO grateful for you, Hermien!
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on January 1, 2020 at 11:49 am
Thank you for this wonderful series Lara. I do it alongside you every year. I just finished my goals today (on the eve of 1st January) and I had to spend time in prayer, praising God for the wonderful work He has already done in me even just through your kind, excited & wise words of this Goal Setting Series. So thank you!!!
I’ve set TWO goals this year and I am as pumped as I have never been before about them!!! This series has uncovered some ugly stuff from within & I am SO thankful & SO ready to tackle it!!!
Goal #1: Grow in My Relationship with God
Goal #2: Live on PurposeMy word of the year is PURPOSE & I cannot wait to see how God grows these little seeds of hope & faith in me in 2020!!!
With deep thanks & lots of love to the whole team,
Petra.-
on January 2, 2020 at 10:44 am
I am so excited we get to do this together, Petra! I’m rooting for you!
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on January 1, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Still working on bringing it all together, but I’m leaning towards intentional as my word of the year- being purposed in all I do.
And I think one of my major goals will be to be a good steward of all the Lord has given me-
People
Material goods/money
Time
Talent
Thank you so much for sharing YOUR time and talents to bless women everywhere and help us cultivate what matters!-
on January 2, 2020 at 10:45 am
You’re so kind, Stephanie! I am so grateful for you and am cheering you on as you uncover what matters most.
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on January 1, 2020 at 11:27 pm
I made it! Thank you for this series. And to my shock my 4 Goals turned into 2 when I went back to the common threads.
Here are my answers:
GOAL 1.
1. Seek God!
2.Why? So that I can make room for God in my life. So that God is 1st. So that I can learn to love him. And show my family the way.
3. The positive effect will be that my life (my families life) will forever be changed. That God will meet me.
4. Mini Goals
– Connect with like minded people
– Explore Gods word using the bible and other materials.
– Communicate with God.
– Pray for guidance in my marriage and parenting. I want to love them with a Godly love intentionally.
– Plan to take moments. To rest, reflect, and move my body.This one was originally a separate goal. But I want to seek God in those things too.
5. Not making time with a God a priority can stand in the way of progress. Filling all my ‘room’ with other things. Negative thinking.
6. Willing looks like feeling a change in my spirit. To feel the fire of God in me. To know who I am and who God is. To feel lighter. And to pass this on to my family.
7. Starting Steps…
– Talk to God! ( I did this morning Jan. 2).
– Read a scripture on my bible app (Today Jan. 2)
– Read a bible study (Tomorrow Jan. 3rd)
8. Keep seeking, asking, and knocking. . Matthew7:7-8.1 Thessalonians 5:16GOAL 2.
1. Create!
2, Why? Because it would be a waste to not use what God gave me. I have hesitated and diminished so long. I want to make room for possibilities.
3. The positive effect will be finding out what is really inside me. What I am made of. And this could be another source of income for my family. A legacy.
4. Mini goals…
– Learn new skills
– Practice, practice, practice
– Open an online shop
– Share my art
– Keep planning and memory keeping
5. Lack of inspiration can stand in the way of my progress. Comparing myself to other artist. Unbelief. Not getting the reactions I desire.
6. Winning would feel like release of giving my all. Making people happy. And making a living off my gift.
7. Starting steps…
– Start an online class (Today Jan.2)
– Sketch an illustrations (Tomorrow Jan. 3)
8. Do it! Use your gifts to serve one another, in order that in everything God may be glorified! 1 Peter 10-11. Whatever you do work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Colossians 3: 23-24.-
on January 2, 2020 at 10:45 am
Woo! So exciting, Tia! I’m cheering you on!
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on January 2, 2020 at 8:50 am
I’ve been reading your articles and listening to your podcasts for a while, but JUST tonight sat down and went through all the questions in this series (yes, it was a lot at one time! Ha!)
I am nearly in tears as I look at these few sentences that are my goals. They are what matters, and what’s more, I know that they are doable. This has never happened in my life. I can’t thank you enough. It doesn’t stop here, but the sense that I can follow through on what matters without overwhelming myself is such a relief….I don’t think I have ever believed it was possible until now!-
on January 2, 2020 at 10:46 am
Yippee!! I am SO grateful for you, Audrey. I am cheering you on as you cultivate what matters this year!
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on January 2, 2020 at 11:18 am
Wow, so encouraging to read through your goals. That puts a whole new perspective out there for me. Thank you!
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on January 3, 2020 at 9:37 am
I am so grateful you’ve been encouraged, Ashley! I am excited to see you cultivate what matters this year!
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on January 2, 2020 at 11:24 am
Excited to meet some great growth goals this year!
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on January 3, 2020 at 9:38 am
Woo!! Yes, Lindsey! I am cheering you on!
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on January 2, 2020 at 3:22 pm
Thank you so much Lara! I know you hear this all the time but Powersheets has really changed my life. 2020 will be my second year using them and I am so excited to see what the year brings!
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on January 3, 2020 at 9:38 am
You’re so kind, Krysten! I am SO grateful for you and excited to be doing this alongside you again.
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on January 2, 2020 at 9:54 pm
Excited to set goals for the new year! Thank you for your posts, podcasts, and products!
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on January 3, 2020 at 9:38 am
You’re so sweet, Jennifer! I am cheering you on!!
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on January 3, 2020 at 1:42 am
Thank you so much Lara for this blog series. It has been a helpful jump start for my goals for 2020!
2 of my goals for my year of Abundance are:
1.) Connect Intentionally
Why this Matters: If I want close relationships, I need to be faithful to pursue them! I want my relationship with God to be always growing.
Positive Effects: I will be a better wife, mom, friend if my relationship with Jesus is growing, good connection with my husband and daughter is what I want, also if I have good connection with life giving friends then I will not burn out and have more to give to others.
Mini Goals: Wake up early to pray 1-2 times a week, sabbath reflection time, Prayer walks, Practice lectio divina, go on family adventure 1 time per week, have tea/coffee with husband each week, weekly connect with one life giving friend.
To win looks like: To look back on the year and feel improved connection with those who matter most to me. Being more connected with God and be more sensitive to his voice, to enjoy my time in the Word.
Starting Steps: write out ideas for family adventures, have time of prayer with husband on Sunday, reach out to one friend to meet with next week.
Encouraging Words: This is important to you! You value connection, its all worth whatever it takes to make these connections grow! (Psalm 63:1)Goal 2: Parenting with Jesus and with Him in Mind
Why this matters: I want Gods word and Jesus to be alive and real for my daughter and for her to think of Him throughout her day. I want to shepherd her heart and not just work on her actions.
Positive Effects: My daughter will know more about Jesus and she will know that I love Him and more about how much He loves her.
Mini Goals: Read Shepherding a Child’s Heart, pick out crafts to do around God’s characters, write out a list of Bible stories to read to my daughter, get some Bible songs for her.
What it looks like to Win:Have completed the parenting book and implemented some of the principles, My daughter expecting our time in the Bible, and singing on her own or praying on her own.
Starting Steps: Pick out a passage to read to my daughter tomorrow, pick out Bible songs from Youtube to play for daughter, find Bible crafts.
Encouragement: This is the most important ministry you have! Jesus is the only way her heart will be changed and that her negative actions will be changed!Thanks!
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on January 3, 2020 at 9:39 am
Yes, Jessica! So good! I’m excited to see how you cultivate abundance this year (:
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on January 3, 2020 at 11:04 am
Amazing series to help us set our goals. So helpful! 2 of my goals for my year of Faithful are:
1.) Cultivate my faith.
– Why this Matters: I want to grow closer to God. I want to raise my son and future children in faith. I want to be a woman of God.
– Positive Effects: Spiritual growth. My husband and son will hopefully also grow in response and see God working in me. I also hope to be a Light for others in my life.
– Mini Goals: Read through the first half of the OT; Lead bible study with the sister-in-laws; Have bible studies with the husband.
– What could stand in the way of progress: Obsession over perfection, having the mind-set of all or nothing which would lead to burn-out, having a Martha moment and focusing on the task instead of actually learning and growing.
– To win looks like: Building habits of daily meditation and prayer, but more importantly, to be able to read through my journal entries and see how my attitude, thoughts and prayers have changed over the year.
– Starting Steps: Set-up Prayer Journal; Gather resources for bible studies; Go to bed and wake up early.
– Encouraging Words: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). God’s Word is our daily bread. We need it as much as physical sustenance. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) He is able to change our hearts.2) Goal 2: No Spend 2020.
– Why This Matters: I want to be a good steward over all that God has given us, including money, and pass along those skills to my son. I want to change my mindset about material possessions and just be content with what we have.
– Positive Effects: Changing our mindset about material possessions and to be content with what we have. To put ourselves in a financially stable place to give freely.
– Mini Goals: Follow a modified version of the Dave Ramsey Method, Double our mortgage payment every month, Find an additional source of income.
– What could stand in the way of progress: Giving into hypes and shopping therapy, especially when it comes to toys and clothes for my son; Not being able to find a way to work due to lack of experience, skill, or self-defeated attitude.
– What it looks like to Win: Paying off a huge chunk of our mortgage; Not spending money on unnecessary purchases; Finally being able to tithe again.
– Starting Steps: Set a budget; Research ways to save money; Start job-hunting.
– Encouragement: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21). You can pay off the mortgage in 6 years and cut the interest paid by 53%. Think of all the different ministries you can support even more with the savings you will have after paying off the mortgage and finally becoming completely debt free.-
on January 3, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Yes! Such great goals, Gloriana!!
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on January 3, 2020 at 1:18 pm
I can’t thank you enough for all the amazing resources and encouragement from you and the team! I’m way beyond excited and ready to start living a meaningful life with INTENTION and DIRECTION. The Lord is so faithful in His promises! Cheers to the best year and the best life! Hope to hug you all this year! 🙂 Love, Megan from Kansas City!
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on January 3, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Amen, Megan!! He is faithful! I am cheering you on!
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on January 3, 2020 at 1:45 pm
Goal setting was so encouraging to me! To see my goals broken down in to just 4 main categories made them feel much more achievable than the bazillion things I had on my list originally!
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on January 3, 2020 at 3:31 pm
Yes!! I am cheering you on, Heather!
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on January 3, 2020 at 3:59 pm
I’ve been loving this series. My goals include growing in godliness, loving my husband well, stewarding my days well in our homeschool day, faithfully serving our local church, continuing to organize our family photos, embrace imperfect recreation, and moving my body and resting my body well.
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on January 6, 2020 at 10:03 am
Love it, Amy! I’m cheering you on!
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on January 4, 2020 at 3:20 pm
I have eight goals that are so good! I am using the momentum from this last year to continue growing the best things!
1. Cultivate a heart of worship +prayer (praying, active worship, and getting in the Word daily, finish the Bible)
2. Deepen my relationships (continue to love my people with all I have)
3. Honor my body (eat healthily, exercise daily, and follow doc’s orders)
4. Create life-giving rhythms and routines
5. Pursue God’s call over my life FEARLESSLY (I am taking the leap of working in the medical field and, eventually, becoming a doctor)
6. Steward my resources well (time, money, energy)
7. Grow in knowledge (podcasts, TED talks, reading, learning actively)
8. ENJOY! (get outside, have fun, embrace spontaneity, celebrate magical holidays+ birthdays)Wishing you all the best 2020 <3
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on January 6, 2020 at 10:05 am
Yippee! Love these goals, Sandra!
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on January 4, 2020 at 11:22 pm
This would be a dream and such a blessing to win. I’m determined to make my time with God, and being in the word stronger this year. This prize would definitely help that.
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on January 6, 2020 at 10:05 am
Cheering you on, Traci!!
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on January 5, 2020 at 4:31 pm
December is a busy time for a lot of folks including myself, and I didn’t think I would be able to keep up with this goal setting series. However, I am so glad that I did! Happy 2020!
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on January 6, 2020 at 10:06 am
Hooray!! So excited for you, Kim!
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on January 8, 2020 at 8:04 am
My goals are still in development, but right now my top 2 goals are:1 Learn and grow. 2 Cultivate stewardship in every area of my life. I am eager to be a better steward of all my God-given resources including my time, energy/health, and finances
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on January 8, 2020 at 9:19 am
Woo! Love these goals! Cheering you on, Regina!
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on January 9, 2020 at 9:48 am
Ok, I’m not done (still need to think about what it looks like to win etc..) but I’ve loved these steps! My word is “Reset”
*take care of my body so I can use it my whole life to serve others and the Lord. To have energy for now and later!
Steps:
– walk or exercise with my 2 year old in the morning
– revelation wellness sugar fast*simplify our belongings so our home can be taken care of easily and it will be a joy to us and others. A place of peace instead of chaos.
Steps:
– “declutter like a mother”
– go through one room at a time
-give away or trash 1 bag of stuff each week* more reflective time with God to have a closer connection with Him
Steps:
-finish Bible Recap in January
-continue to spend time with Him in the morning.*have close relationships where I can give and receive God’s love. To build relationships for the rest of my life.
Steps:
– plan 2 dates a month and look for ways to encourage my husband
-spend intentional time with my kids, play more
-hang out with a friend 1-2 times a week*spend less money, live out of savings &pay down debt. To stay at home successfully & be wise stewards.
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on January 10, 2020 at 3:05 pm
Yes! So good, Sarah!
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on January 9, 2020 at 7:41 pm
Love this! I’m so excited for this year! Some of my goals this year are decluttering, taking care of my health (exercise, eating well, etc.), and learning new skills. This is going to be my best year yet!
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on January 10, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Hooray!! I love your enthusiasm, Annette! Cheering you on each step of the way (:
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on January 9, 2020 at 11:12 pm
I wrote my goals in the previous post but I want to rework them using some action verbs. I am continuing to play around with my word of the year, in past years I have never really had a word that has stuck with me past Feb. So this year I am thinking hard about what would ring true for me all year long and pump me up every time I saw it. I am in between “Bigger Life”- choosing the bigger life, adventure, activity, challenge. Or Abundance- choosing the abundant life.
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on January 10, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Such great words to live by, Gabby!
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on January 10, 2020 at 9:09 pm
I’m almost finished with the breaking down of my goals into mini goals and have loved how this process has me feeling so confident in what I will be able to accomplish this year. I see how different this is from how I was going at goals in the past. I know these are the right goals based on where I am and what’s really important to me.
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on January 13, 2020 at 9:47 am
YES! YES! YES! So excited for you, Hollie! Cheering you on as you tend to what matters most!
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on January 10, 2020 at 11:13 pm
My 5 goals for 2020 (and some of the why behind them) are:
1) Fall in Love with Jesus
Why: He is my Redeemer – my life is His! John 14:232) Invest in Others with Jesus’ Love
Why: So my life can be a light, shining brightly, full of Jesus’ love, bringing encouragement to the weary, the challenge of Jesus’ words to those who need Him… John 15:123) Move My Hands with Purpose, in Jesus’ Name (aka: Punch Procrastination!)
Why: I have talents, skills, work to do… Colossians 3:174) Cultivate Clear Vision (Literally working to strengthen my eyesight)
Why: It’s time to take care of this precious gift I’ve been given and stop neglecting my eyes!5) Remember God’s Faithfulness
Why: It’s so vital to remember what God has done and is doing, so my trust in Him will be strong…These are broken down further into mini goals (such as Lighten My Load under #3 and Journaling under #5) – and I’m already making progress! Thank you so much for all the encouragement, the joy, and the love you share, Miss Lara. I’m so grateful for you and hope that your year is filled to the brim and overflowing with delight in the Lord!
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on January 13, 2020 at 9:36 am
YES! These are beautiful goals, Maggie! Love seeing you uncover what matters!
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on January 11, 2020 at 4:21 pm
I’m super excited about cultivating what matters. I’ve set my goals and developed my action plan but I’m struggling with the yearly overview. Thank you for these great tools! I love it so far!
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on January 13, 2020 at 9:38 am
Yippee!! So excited to see you live out what matters, Stephanie! I’m cheering you on!
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on January 15, 2020 at 12:15 pm
Did you already announce the giveaway winners?
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on January 16, 2020 at 9:51 am
Yes! It was a joy to hear everyone’s responses! The winners for the Ultimate New Years Giveaway were announced and you can see the names listed in next to each of the prizes!
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