3 Tips to Help You Set Achievable Goals
If you struggle with making and keeping goals, this is for you!
Setting a goal is like planting a seed. A seed needs consistent water and sunshine to grow over time. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we learn that Christ “received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:13). We can follow Christ’s example of growing to perfection. We can grow and develop by planting “seeds” or setting goals that can help us grow consistently each day, instead of expecting it to happen all at once.
1. Know the Why Behind Your Goal Setting
Goal setting can sometimes seem overwhelming. We can find motivation by remembering why we set goals.
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, taught, “In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.
A big part of goal setting is taking what we know and learning how to become better—to become more like Jesus Christ.
2. Make a Plan
One step in creating an effective goal is understanding the difference between goals and plans. President M. Russell Ballard (1928–2023) once said: “Goal setting is essentially beginning with the end in mind. And planning is devising a way to get to that end.”
For example, attending the temple regularly is a goal. But the plan you create to get there will include things like why, when, where, and how you will attend the temple. Breaking your goal into smaller parts makes it more manageable.
3. Take It Slow—in Wisdom and Order
Your goals may seem easy when you first make them. But it’s important to remember that when you plant a seed, you shouldn’t expect it to grow overnight.
When you’re making your plan, you should do so “in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength” (Mosiah 4:27).
Having wisdom and order as you plan how to reach your goals is a more sustainable approach. It will help you reach them even after your initial motivation has worn off.
When talking about faith, Alma explained that “if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away” (Alma 32:32).
We can apply that to setting goals. Just like seeds, if your goals grow and you find success, you will know you have a good plan that works. If not, you can take a step back, reevaluate, and fix what isn’t working. And that’s OK!
Small Steps Build Consistency
Whether we are planting a seed or making a goal, we should keep in mind the counsel of Elder Michael A. Dunn of the Seventy: “There must be a consistent, day-in and day-out effort. And although we won’t likely be perfect, we must be determined to mirror our persistence with patience.”
It takes time for seeds to grow, and our personal growth is no different. Consistency will help us follow through on our goals.
If we “mirror our persistence with patience,” we will find the joy in Christ that we are looking for, as we follow Him one small step at a time.