Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. (Proverbs 16:3 MSG)

Setting goals is not just a good idea; it is a spiritual discipline. Goals stretch you and help you become all God wants you to be. Setting goals will give a destination for your vision. Move forward toward health in all areas of life and accomplish what God has called you to do by creating SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) in response to your results from the Five Essentials survey.

Specific goals are clear and unambiguous. This is where you tell your brain exactly what is expected and why is it important. A specific goal usually answers the five “W” questions: who, what, when, where, why.

Measurable emphasizes the need for tangible benchmarks. If a goal is not measurable, it is not possible to know whether you are making progress toward it. A measurable goal will usually answer questions such as How much? By when?

Attainable means the goals need to be realistic, even though dreams can be big. Extreme goals usually invite failure and frustration.

Relevant means you choose goals that matter and answer yes to these questions: Does this seem worthwhile? Is this the right time? Does this match your other efforts/needs? Being relevant also means your goals are relevant to God and bring him glory. Any goal that brings you closer to him and makes you want to serve him and others is a goal that matters.

Time-bound emphasizes the importance of attaining the goal within a certain time frame. A commitment to a deadline helps you focus your efforts on completion of the goal on or before the due date.

Once you’ve determined your SMART goals, share them with a friend. People getting healthy together lose twice as much weight as those who do it alone. That success dramatically increases when you are connected with others, receiving constant encouragement to stay focused and motivated toward your goals.

Today’s Steps:

  1. Set SMART Goals and share them with a friend.
  2. Find some type of fitness plan or movement you enjoy this week.
  3. Add real, whole foods to your meals.
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