Why Goals Fail
2012 is right around the corner and procrastinators are still planning to develop goals on 11:59 pm on the night of December 31st! Some will wait and ring in the New Year then develop goals on a whim and wonder why they failed.
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People set goals to fill time instead of filling a purpose – Many set goals as they schedule their week. They look to fill the time instead of working towards the purpose set before them. Goals should be set with the end in mine. Personally, I plan my goals by looking toward the future. I look as far as 20 years from now (I will be 57 years old) and work backward. I plan using a 20-10-5-1 philosophy (see an example below) I plan this way to get an overall pictures of the future. I like to think of it as “Living Life backwards.”
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Where do I want to be in 20 years?
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Where do I want to be in 10 years?
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Where do I want to be in 5 years?
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Where do I want to be in 1 year?
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What am I doing about those goals today?
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People set goals based on someone else’s expectations – Some will set goals based on what others think they should do. There are many people who have lived their life because someone else thought they needed a certain career. For instance, I know people who were told they should be engineers and they are, but everyday the hate their job. They are only there because someone else said it would be good for them. Are the goals you are setting for yourself, your goals?
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People set goals not based according to their abilities – Your abilities are yours for a reason. People set goals which are not in line with their abilities as a person of purpose. Many seek to be a “jack-of-all-trades” and turn out to be a “master-of-none.” Discovering your top three abilities is powerful in achieving your purpose in life. As you discover your abilities, you will blend those abilities into your daily life and powerful things begin to happen. Take time to examine your goals according to your abilities and see great things take place.
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Examine your abilities and find your top three abilities.
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Ask others what they would classify as your top three abilities.
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Focus 80% of your time on your top three abilities.
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Use your abilities to serve someone else.
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Take a look at your goals again; are they your goals?
Just some thoughts,
Leadership Powerpoints
“Everything rises and falls on leadership.” (John Maxwell)
Below are a few lessons recently presented on leadership. These lessons/powerpoints were part of a series on the eldership of the church. Each church needs qualified leaders to bring the church into a strong fellowship with God and man.
My personal statement on elders:
“The church needs qualified leaders to bring the church out of its infancy and into maturity, so with everyone working together, the body of Christ grows in closeness to God and fellowship with each other.”
Enjoy the powerpoints below and let me know what you think.
Just some thoughts,
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Shepherds Must Know the Sheep
I believe the most important lesson I presented on leadership was on Sunday entitled, “Shepherds Must Know the Sheep.” Take a look at the introductory thoughts below before moving onto the PowerPoint presentation.
When shepherds know the sheep … no problems (explosions) suddenly appear! – Shepherds should know the current status of their flock. Shepherds know which sheep is having problems and which sheep are strong. Shepherds know when a disease is moving about the flock and they take action to stop it. Spiritual shepherds need to adopt the mindset of physical shepherds.
When shepherds know the sheep … no sheep “get” lost! – Shepherds should be actively moving in and out of the flock counting each sheep. No sheep would disappear and go without notice. Spiritual Shepherds need to know when a member of the flock is absent and they need to immediately go get them. (See Luke 15.3-7 for an example of immediate action.)
When shepherds know the sheep … the sheep are protected! – When spiritual shepherds are moving in and out of the flock building relationships, they will see the wolf disguised as the sheep and take immediate action.
When shepherds know the sheep … no sheep are left alone! – Physical sheep, when left to their own desires, are dumb! They will leave the good grass for diseased grass on the other side of the fence. The sheep will follow a glitter of light, instead of the true light. They lose their focus…the need active shepherds.
Just some thoughts,
Chris
The Shepherd Feeds the Sheep (PowerPoint)
In most congregations today, feeding the sheep is left in the hands of the minister, but shouldn’t the shepherds (elders) be feeding the flock as well. As physical shepherds feed sheep, the spiritual shepherds should feed the sheep. A physical shepherd took time to not only feed the sheep, but to seek out good pasture and the proper water source so the sheep would be healthy. Check out the sermon PowerPoint below and see the lesson from Sunday.
Just some thoughts,
Chris
A Shepherd Leads the Sheep
Just because one makes decisions does not make one a leader.
Just because one wears the title of “Leader” does not make one a leader.
Leaders do not take others where they want to go, but they take others where they need to go. In congregations worldwide, leaders are necessary to fulfill the roles that God has designed. God has placed certain roles in the church for men to fill and guide congregations to Heaven. When each role is filled and worked properly, the growth of every congregation is one which cannot be counted.
This lesson considers the role of a physical shepherd in leading the flock and compares that to a spiritual shepherd. Enjoy!
Just some thoughts,
Chris
Podcast Feeds
Some of What I am Reading
I use Elegant Themes
