Have you ever heard of the “One Word” goal setting method? Coined by Jon Gordon in his book “One Word That Will Change your Life,” this approach simplifies the traditional New Year’s resolutions by focusing on a single, impactful word. Instead of a laundry list of resolutions, you choose a single word that captures the heart of your overarching goal for the year. This word then serves as a guiding principle to shape your choices and actions. At the beginning of 2023, I found myself drawn to the word “Finish.” I wanted to become known for finishing tasks, completing my goals, and honoring my commitments. Now, as the year draws to a close, I can proudly say that embracing the power of “Finish” has led me through a year filled with more success stories than I’ve ever experienced before. This is all because I simply committed to finish what I started.

Armed with my newfound commitment to “Finish,” I let my imagination run wild, envisioning the goals, victories, and projects I’d conquer over the year. In the span of a week, I scribbled down 68 goals on a clean sheet of paper. Writing them down was somewhat therapeutic but also extremely overwhelming. I took some time to pray over these goals to discern which ones would be truly impactful and which were just distractions in disguise. After a fair amount of consideration, I narrowed it down to a final list of 48 goals. These goals ranged from the monumental task of finishing my first book to the seemingly trivial act of taking a year off from fantasy football. No matter the scope, each goal had its place. As this year draws to a close, 33 of those goals have moved to the win column, eight are on the “try again next year,” list, one is no longer relevant, the remaining six will be completed by the year’s end. For me, accomplishing 39 goals in a single year is a big deal. Honestly, its way more than I would have ever thought possible. But let’s not make this about a victory lap for me. Instead, I’d love to share some secrets of successful goals and how they can breathe life into our purpose.

Establish A Process That Works.

They say the best system is the one that you’ll actually use. Goal setting is no different. The system that works well for me has four key pieces. The goal-setting journey begins with selecting the Word of the Year, the filter that brings clarity to my aspirations. “Finish” became my mantra for 2023, infusing purpose into every goal. This deliberate choice transforms a mere word into a powerful compass, aligning my intentions for the year.

Proverbs 16:3 reminds us to “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” As we seek our word or begin to establish our goals, we must align our hearts with God’s heart, invite Him into the process, and pursue the things He has called us toward. When we do this, He will guide us to the the word He wants to cultivate within us.

With the Word of the Year as my guide, I dive into crafting a raw draft of goals. In this part, no self-editing is allowed. Every idea, grand or seemingly trivial, gets a spot on the list. Everything from climbing mountains to tackling closet clutter, gets a roster spot at this point.

After this uncensored brainstorming session, the refining work begins. Stepping back, I prayerfully review my list, distinguishing goals that resonate with my Word of the Year from distractions. At this stage, some goals emerge as game-changers, aligning seamlessly with the key word. In the final edit, the art lies in ruthlessly removing goals that don’t align or lack genuine enthusiasm. This meticulous curation transforms the list into a refined collection of goals that genuinely excite and inspire.

Finally, capture these goals into a system that allows you to see your goals regularly, track progress, and make changes as needed. Writing our goals down and reviewing them regularly are key pieces of success that are too often overlooked. What’s the best way to capture and review our goals? Whatever works for you!

Hold Your Goals with an Open hand

If we want to succeed in accomplishing our most important goals, it is crucial to hold all of them with an open hand. Life is always changing, and unforeseen shifts can reshape our path in an instant. We must understand that adapting or even letting go of certain goals is not a sign of failure but rather a demonstration of wisdom. Just as seasons change, so can our priorities and circumstances. Recognizing and responding to these shifts ensures that our goals align with our present reality, fostering a journey of purpose and resilience. When we are open-handed with our goals we can continue to pursue the goals that matter without the threat of getting bogged down by the ones that don’t. Accomplishing 39 of my 48 goals is a huge win that I will celebrate without getting stuck feeling guilty about the nine that I had to adjust or remove. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul recounts the Lord’s reminder that, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” It is in our times of personal weakness that Jesus work in our lives is the most visible. When situations or circumstances change, we must give ourselves the level of grace that God gives us when we stumble. And while this verse specifically applies to sin and burdens, it is a helpful reminder that God has grace for us in all situations and, in the same way, we should have grace for ourselves.

Keep Your Goals Flexible

In the pursuit of your goals, flexibility is a valuable ally. Life is unpredictable. We must embrace adaptability to navigate challenges and seize unexpected opportunities. Rigidity can lead to frustration, but by incorporating flexibility, setbacks become opportunities for reassessment and adjustment.

the key to accomplishment is resilience. When faced with obstacles like injuries or unforeseen setbacks, consider modifying your goals rather than abandoning them. Flexibility allows for progress even amid unexpected turns, ensuring you stay on track.

Recognize that daily consistency can, and often will, be interrupted by life’s demands. Emergencies or shifting priorities can often disrupt even the best plans. Embrace these setbacks as part of the journey, adjust your course, and stay committed to the bigger picture.

Incorporating flexibility into your goals fosters a sustainable and adaptive approach, enhancing your chances of long-term success. Remember, it’s not a compromise but a strategic asset that keeps your aspirations resilient in the face of life’s twists and turns.

One of my long-term goals is to learn to speak Spanish. I have been working toward this goal for almost two-years through an app called Duo Lingo. The goal within this app is to build streaks by engaging with the app everyday. This is of course a lofty goal. But, I currently have a streak of 610 days. Have I actually used this app everyday for the last 610 days? No. But, Duo Lingo has something called “streak freezes.” These are earned through consistency and can be used to restore your streak when you miss a day. To me, Duo Lingo demonstrates the healthy balance we need in our goals. Let’s set big audacious goals. Let’s pursue them with everything we’ve got aiming for a high level of completion, and let’s build in flexibility so that a small setback doesn’t bring the whole thing to a screeching halt. When we pursue our goals in this way, we will be amazed at what we can accomplish.

What are some of your big audacious goals, and how do you balance pursuing them with the need for flexibility and adaptability?

Note:

I’ve learned most of this thanks to Jon Acuff and the Guaranteed Goals community. If you are looking for a community that will encourage you, support you, and hold you accountable to pursuing your goals, check it out here!