Setting Goals in 2020

With 2020 right around the corner, it’s time to talk about setting goals for the year. I’m personally not a fan of New Year's resolutions, however, I am a fan of setting goals and intentions for the year. If we want to make any change in our lives, to accomplish anything, we need to be intentional about setting goals, taking responsibility (aka ownership, authorship, agency) and taking action to make those changes and work toward reaching those goals.

We will first want to make time to sit down and think about the various areas of our lives and what goals or intentions we want to set in those areas. The beginning of anything starts with making time and taking action. Our first step in setting goals for the new year is to take the action of sitting down, thinking and writing out a list of things we want to work toward.

There is no wrong way to do this. You might want to start with a list of various categories or areas of life. For example, the following categories:
- Spiritual
- Relationships
- Financial
- Healthcare
- Fitness
- Selfcare
- Professional
- Personal Development

You might also want to simplify it to something like
- For God
- For Others
- For Myself

Perhaps for you, you have very specific values you live by and want to use those as the categories to create goals and intentions. Either way, contemplate some things you'd like to work toward and ask God to guide you in the process. As I am creating goals for 2020 I am writing them in my journal and planner and saying God, these are things that I would like to do if that is your will, I present them to you and ask you to give me clarity if this is what you want me to do. I desire to honor you and glorify you in all areas of my life. I keep Proverbs 16:3 in mind, “Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be established”. I also keep the perspective of setting worthwhile goals in mind, goals that are part of a purpose bigger than myself, not just going after selfish ambitions and pursuits.

Another thing you may want to consider is setting goals that are realistic and reasonable. A problem that I have with New Year’s resolutions is that people set UNrealistic and UNreasonable expectations and goals for themselves. They go from 0 and 100, all or nothing thinking. For example, going from not working out at all to setting the goal of working out 6 days a week. From not eating healthy at all to setting a goal of eating 100% “clean”. These goals are not sustainable, they are unrealistic and unreasonable. Setting goals you can do consistently are the ones that will create lasting meaningful change. Consistently somewhat practicing small healthy habits is better than rigid rules, strict meal plans that eliminate entire groups of food and revolve around the restriction. Realistic expectations come from understanding we are human and also understanding our limitations, which means that we are likely not capable of perfect 100% effort, so adopting a mindset of good enough, consistently is important! A reasonable goal example: 2 days a week of 30 minutes of some type of movement. Another reasonable goal: Sit down and plan out ONE meal to make at home this week rather than eating out: Decide the meal you want to make (dinner and what you feel like eating), make a list of groceries, buy them and take the time to cook the meal. It doesn’t have to be crazy, just realistic, reasonable, something you can easily do right now, that is a little bit better than you have been doing.

Also, in setting goals for 2020, let's choose the challenge that will help us to move forward and progress. Perhaps that means you need to stop the all or nothing diet mentality and adopt a mindset that you don’t have to be perfect, but be consistent in small efforts. A challenge that might not seem difficult but it will help me grow, is taking the leap, making a decision and taking a risk to go forward with something, rather than getting lost in fear and analysis paralysis. I can often get stuck in worry about making the wrong decision and either doing something that God doesn’t want or not doing something God wants me to do and it keeps me stuck on the same spot. So this year, I have to boldly move forward in faith and trust that if I am seeking Him and His kingdom, that he will work all things for good, taking some risks, but doing my best each moment.

So what goals and intentions would you like to set this year in your Fitness and Faith? Here are some to consider that I have on my list:

Fitness
- Be well in all areas of my life
- Physical
- Mental/Cognitive
- Emotional
- Relational
- Spiritual
- Environmental

For God
- Know him more deeply through reading his Word daily following a bible reading plan
- Go on a Mission trip
- Fellowship with other believers
- Attend a Bible-preaching church

I felt God calling me to be intentional about setting goals for 2020 and to not be afraid to aspire to reach goals so I wanted to share my process and help you plan as well! Let's be intentional about next year! Here is to 2020, and may it be full of health, balance and seeking God!

-Charissa

Charissa is a Certified Fitness Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and holds a B.S. in Kinesiology. She also holds an M.A. in Higher Education Administration. She is a follower of Jesus, passionate about faith, fitness, nutrition, a lifestyle of total health, coffee, meditating, learning and growing!