Thriving in 2017

My friend hosted a goal setting party for 2017 and it was so so incredibly amazing that I wanted to share some of the things I learned with you.

For starters, I didn't know what to think of going because I had some ideas of things I'd like to accomplish this year but I just couldn't get my head and thoughts wrapped around all my ideas to process them and organize them. Anyone else have that problem? All that to say, I wasn't sure what to expect from getting together with everyone to talk about goals and dreams. But I'm so glad I went because it was such a insightful and helpful night for me.

We started out by watching a Ted talk, which I highly recommend, by Laura Vanderkam. (If you are interested in watching it you can do so right here.) The best thing I took away from that speech was that she asked us to write ourselves a letter reflecting on 2017. Yes, I do realize that is a letter of something that hasn't happened but I plan on doing that. It will allow myself to focus and think about what big things I want to achieve in 2017 and to write out what 'awesome' would look like for me. She also encouraged us to 'happen' to life instead of letting life 'happen' to us. I can't plan for the unexpected things in life but I can be proactive and intentional with the time that God has given to me.

After our Ted talk my friend encouraged us to write down the many roles in life we have and to write down what 'excellent' looks like in each of those roles. At first I wasn't sure what that would look like but once I got it down it really helped me to put the roles I do in life on paper and it allowed me to see where I can improve as well as seeing areas that I am doing well in. I'll list you my roles with some goals underneath so you can see what I mean.

1. Christ Follower
-to spend more time in prayer
-to look for opportunities to genuinely and lovingly share Christ with others

2. Wife
-To consider Dave's needs before my own

3. Family Member & Friend
-To continue making time for family and friends
-To say yes more to spending time with and serving family and friends

5. Photographer
-To get my photography business up and running
-Hit $1,000 in sales

6. Crosfitter / Runner
-Go to Crossfit 3x a week
-Run a half marathon

Within those roles I have made more specific and achievable goals but it really helped me to sit down and look at the big picture and what I can do to be the best person I can be in each of those roles.

After we wrote all those things out we were given a piece of paper to color our roles out and to add basically anything artsy to our sheet that we wanted. It was a really fun and creative way to define our roles in life.

So why do I share all of this with you? Well, I think for a couple reasons. First off, I think it can sometimes be hard to set goals but it really helped me to write down my roles in life and to define what excellence looks like in each of those roles. If you've never done something like this I highly encourage you to do that. If you can get with a friend and do that together even better!

Secondly, you and I have one life. One chance to glorify God. One chance to point others to Him. If we aren't intentional with our time life will pass us by and we will miss out on opportunities we had to serve Christ.

Do you set yearly goals for yourself? If so what helps you define and achieve those goals? 

How can you be more intentional with your time?