Whose Goal is it Anyway?

As 2011 comes to a close, people tend to evaluate the year that was and view the new year as a chance for a fresh start. This is the time where most people start making resolutions that will last until February.. tops. So I found it apt to come across this little article in one of my web trolling sessions. It is worth reading since it will make you think of the goals you have right now and may probably aid you in the goals you aim to achieve in the near future.

People have their own ways of crafting their goals. I used to do this elaborate ritual of looking back at the year that was – month by month. I would write down each month’s highlight and then craft my resolutions for the next year. Yeah, I can be pretty obsessive-compulsive. At any rate, that came crashing down to a halt in 2008, which was arguably the worst year of my life yet. So with that whole experience behind me, I set out for 2009 with 2 “reverse resolutions” in mind. That is, the 2 things I would NOT do: 1) I will not plan, and 2) I will not play it safe.

This actually worked extremely well for me. Not planning got me exploring the dark streets of Berlin, catching a German sunrise in a random high-rise rooftop with my fellow study abroad students. It got me roaming the streets of Geneva alone but for some strange reason, I always knew where to go. It got me taking a train back to Milan.. without a ticket. The conductor could’ve kicked me out in the middle of nowhere if he found out. Good thing he didn’t. Not playing safe made me take a risky thesis subject, knowing it can implode in my face.. but acing it in the end. It made me take more client calls on projects I know little about.. and having the clients ask for me back again on the next one. It made me take on an expensive hobby.. with a return on investment that is priceless. In short, 2009 was one rocking year. There were so many things I will always remember about 2009 but I won’t bore you with details. But it’s definitely the year of  breakthroughs.

I guess my point to this whole story-telling is that maybe instead of having concrete goals like making X amount of money in your bank account, getting this job promotion or buying a house in this part of the city, why don’t you adopt a mindset? And more importantly, adopt a mindset that is rooted in the word of God. I’m not saying that having concrete plans set out is wrong. But getting caught up in them may make us lose sight of the opportunities God is opening for us along the way. I feel like sometimes God doesn’t give us a clear map from Point A to Point B. Rather, He gives us one step at a time. And if your goal is to have a way of living that is plugged in and connected to His Word, then the decisions you make will eventually get you to where He is leading you. He said so Himself in John 15:

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Want a rocking year ahead? Strive to have a mindset that abides in Him. And you’ll definitely have a fruitful year.