A Better Way to Accomplish Your Goals This Year

The new year is here. Like many people, you’ve probably been thinking about how you’ll make this one better than the last.

Maybe you’ve set goals and resolutions that you hope to keep. Maybe you set the same goal as last year and the year before that, and you’re still hoping to do it.

A lot of people hate on new year’s resolutions, but I’m a sucker for love them. There’s just something about the possibility of a new year, the belief that through the power of the Holy Spirit you can change, and the adventure of facing a new challenge.

There were a lot of years that I didn’t accomplish my goals. The fire of determination in January would fade to a smolder in February and fizzle out by March. But that all changed a few years ago.

I still don’t accomplish every goal I set, but I’m staying more focused and determined on reaching more goals than ever thanks to a simple tool I’ve been using.

For example, last year I set a goal to run every weekday, and I’m proud to say that I did it! Sure, there were a few days I couldn’t (like when I was sick) but for the most part, I ran every weekday and on a lot of weekends too.

A while back I also set a goal to become a morning person, and I succeeded in changing my morning routine to waking up at 5:30 AM.

I’ve made these resolutions before, but a few weeks into the new year I would slide back into old habits.

The difference is this: I started tracking my goals.

Every day, I open my journal, write down my primary goal, track my daily habits, and focus on the most important things that need to be done that day.

It’s simple but powerful.

Two Types of Goals

I like to think of goals in two categories: habits and projects.

A habit is something you repeat, like brushing your teeth. You need to do it often or it won’t help much.

A project is something you do until it’s finished, like writing a book. You do it and it’s done.

Reading the entire Bible is a project goal. Reading the Bible every day is a habit goal.

Do you see the difference?

Here’s why this matters: Most people make the mistake of setting project goals for things that should be habits.

For example, you might say you want to lose 20 pounds so you eat less and exercise until you reach your goal. But as soon as your goal is accomplished, you stop doing the things that got you there and the weight comes back.

Ever been there? Me too.

When you set the weight loss goal, you likely didn’t just have a one-time destination in mind. You wanted to lose the weight and keep it off.

So a better way to lose weight is to set a habit goal that will change your lifestyle to be a healthier person who will lose the weight and keep it off.

Healthy people become and stay healthy because they practice healthy habits.

Habit goals are powerful because they form an identity. You don’t just do something for a little while, you become the kind of person who does that sort of thing.

There are many things that project goals are better for. One-time projects at work or around your house don’t always fit into a habit goal.

For example, organizing your garage is a project, not a habit. It may take a day or two, but once it’s organized, you’re done.

Organizing an event is a project, not a habit. Once the event is over, the project is complete (at least until the next one).

How Will You Accomplish Your Goals?

As I write this, I’ve finished reviewing my goals for the year and started implementing them. I have habits I want to continue, and some big projects I want to complete. I’m excited and a bit scared because they’re going to push me out of my comfort zone.

A while back I created something I call the Productive Christian Journal. It’s the tool I’ve used for years and continue to use every day to stay focused, get more done, and accomplish my goals.

If you look inside, you’ll notice that the Big Goal and Top Tasks sections are for project goals. You do them and mark them as complete.

The Morning Reps, Evening Prep, and Bible Study sections are for habit goals. You repeat them every day.

So if you are starting the new year with high hopes of reaching your goals, I hope you’ll check it out. It was a life changer for me, and I think it could be for you as well.

And whether you use my system or not, may God work mightily in and through you this year.

What goals do you have this year?