The very 1st edition of the goals journal designed to allow you to set goals in every area of your life, each month of t...
DESIGNING YOUR BEST YEAR EVER! A Journal for Setting Your Goals, In Each Area of Life, Every Month of the Year!
EDWARD PAZ
Designing Your Best Year Ever ® 2008 Goals Journal © 2007 Edward Paz All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please refer all pertinent questions to the author. Scripture quotations are from: New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society New Century Version (NCV) The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Printed in the United States of America First Printing: December 2007 To Contact the Author: Edward Paz Email:
[email protected] 2
DEDICATION To Paul J. Meyer, Jim Rohn, and Peter J. Daniels: Your philosophies are found throughout these pages. Each of you has profoundly impacted and empowered me to live a life of choice and design. Thank you. I pray that this Goals Journal carries on your legacies and inspires a whole new generation of leaders who will use goal-setting as a tool to reach and discover its full God-given potential in every area of life!
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - To my Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ: Every dream, every vision, and every goal is a gift from You. My life is a stewardship test, and I will achieve my fullest potential in order to bring You honor and glory. Thank You for giving me a dream. - To my wife – Rebekah: You are a gift from God that I do not deserve. Your encouragement and support are priceless. Your unconditional love gives me strength. Thank you for being my best friend. - To my family – Dad, Mom, Ernest, Christina, and Elias: It has been a joy setting goals together as a family and sharing our accomplishments with each other every month. I pray that we continue serving as examples of individuals committed to excellence in all areas of life. Thank you for providing me with a solid foundation. - To my clients and to everyone with whom I have had the opportunity
to share this workshop: As you witness the impact that goal setting has on your own life, I encourage you to give this gift to all who are willing to receive it. Thank you for being my guinea pigs!
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CONTENTS Introduction …………………………………………………………………..
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How To Use The “Designing Your Best Year Ever” Goals Journal …………
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The Six Areas- An Overview …………………………………………………
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Long-Term Goals 10 Years+ Goals …………………………………………………
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10 Year Goals ……………………………………………………
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5 Year Goals ………………………………………………………
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1 Year Goals ………………………………………………………
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January Word Of Encouragement- Designing Your Future ………………
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January Goal-Setting Workshop ……………………….……………………
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February Word Of Encouragement- A Love Letter From Your Savior ……
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February Goal-Setting Workshop …………………………………………….
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March Word Of Encouragement- Who Are You Living For? ………………
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March Goal-Setting Workshop ………………………………………………
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April Word Of Encouragement- I Can! …...…………………………………
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April Goal-Setting Workshop …………………………………………………
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May Word Of Encouragement- Destiny ……………………………………… 73 May Goal-Setting Workshop …………………………………………………. 75 June Word of Encouragement- A Reminder From Above …………………… 85 June Goal-Setting Workshop ………………………………….………………. 87 July Word Of Encouragement- Family and Work …………………………… 97 July Goal-Setting Workshop …………………………………………………
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August Word Of Encouragement- The Power of Reflection ……………… 109 August Goal-Setting Workshop ……………………………………………
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September Word Of Encouragement- Today Is My Masterpiece …………
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September Monthly Goal-Setting Workshop ………………………………… 123 October Word Of Encouragement- The 4th Quarter ………………………
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October Monthly Goal-Setting Workshop …………………………………… 135 November Word Of Encouragement- Gratitude In Action ………………… 145 November Goal-Setting Workshop …………………………………………
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December Word Of Encouragement- A Christmas To Remember ………
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December Goal-Setting Workshop …………………………………………
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Thoughts on Goal-Setting Paul J. Meyer ………………………………………………………
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Jim Rohn …………………………………………………………
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Peter J. Daniels ……………………………………………………
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INTRODUCTION “In my experience motivation has only been sustained by an individual who has written life goals with deadlines and measurements, all put together in a parcel an individual believes in.” - Peter J. Daniels Congratulations on your decision to make this year “YOUR BEST YEAR EVER!” The Goals Journal you are holding in your hands has the potential, if used consistently, to play a huge role in making the next twelve months the best you have ever had! Today is the first day of the rest of your life, and I could not be more excited for you! I am passionate about seeing leaders like you use the art of goal-setting to achieve their full God-given potential. To see individuals write down their goals, put a plan of action in place to achieve them, and then have them become a reality brings me great joy and satisfaction. However, even with so many audios, books, and programs available on the subject of goal-setting, I have yet to come across a product that offers a simple, convenient format in which anyone can use to write their goals on a consistent basis. After years of goal-setting, I have personally written my goals in various notebooks, planners, journals, and legal pads. But how can we have our goals, as Peter Daniels says, “put together in a parcel an individual believes in?” My answer is simple: by having them written in one place. This goals journal will serve as your “parcel”, a place where you can write, plan, and track your goals, in each of the major areas of your life, every month of the year. Over the last three years, in which I have been personally using the principles found in this Goals Journal, I have learned a very important lesson: the majority of goals you set will not be accomplished the first time you write them down. Successful goal achievement requires an absolute dedication to the process of writing and re-writing your goals. This journal will provide you with the space to write and re-write your goals on a monthly basis, giving you the opportunity to refine and refocus them. Every month you will go through a four-part workshop that requires you to write out your “Accomplishments,” “Primary Goals,” “Daily Disciplines,” and “Sacrifices.” But regardless of how well-written and focused your goals become, one thing is certain: there will be distractions. Friends, co-workers, and even family members may discourage you. Things may not necessarily go as planned. There will be setbacks. Therefore I have also included an inspirational article between every workshop to give you the encouragement necessary to set the goals for the upcoming month. Over the next twelve months you will find within these articles:
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• • • • •
The formula for making every day a masterpiece. 3 truths to get you through any hardship. An affirmation to jumpstart your day. The key to balancing Family and Work And much more!
But before getting started, I encourage you to find a group of people with whom you can go through these exercises every month. Nothing eases the journey of personal achievement more than being part of a community of like-minded individuals committed to each other’s success. By sharing your dreams and goals with others you can be held accountable to their attainment. It is my personal vision that multiple communities of leaders including: families, friends, co-workers, business associates, civic organizations, churches, and schools, throughout the world, will be committed to monthly goal-setting workshops! Just imagine the type of world we would live in if everyone used goalsetting as a tool to achieve their full God-given potential in every area of their life! But that vision can only become a reality by asking yourself the following two questions: 1. Will I commit to writing out my goals for the major areas of my life, each and every month of the year? 2. Will I share this idea of goal setting with those I love and care about, so that I can be a part of a community who is committed to the goal-setting process? Once again, congratulations on your decision to make this year, your best year ever! I look forward to hearing from you very soon so that you can share all that has been accomplished as a result of your commitment to your life’s goals.
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.” – Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV)
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HOW TO USE THE “DESIGNING YOUR BEST YEAR EVER” GOALS JOURNAL STEP 1: Before getting started on your monthly “short-term” goals, take time to think through and write out your 10+ year, 10 year, 5 year, and 1 year “long-term goals”. Be sure to include goals that represent all six areas of your life. STEP 2: After completing your long term goals, make the commitment to set aside at least 1-2 hours at the end of each month to go through the “Designing Your Best Month Ever” Monthly Goal Setting Workshop in its entirety. STEP 3: “Part One: Accomplishments”- Reflect on your accomplishments and blessings from the previous month. Be sure to write down everything you can think of, from each area of life! I encourage you to think of both “tangible” and “intangible” accomplishments. For Example: Tangible- I lost 3 pounds. I received an “A” on my final exam. I took my mother out to dinner. I saved $300 in my savings account. Intangible- I made the decision to become a non-smoker. I realized the importance of spending quality time with my kids. I upheld my integrity when I had the opportunity to lie. In my heart, I finally forgave my brother for what he had done to me. STEP 4: “Part Two: Primary Goals”- Write out your primary one month goals from each of the areas of your life. There are many ways that you can go about writing your goals, but the following method has been most effective for me. After I have written a goal I ask myself, “Is my goal ‘S.M.A.R.T.’ (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive)?” I also make sure that my goal is written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense. There is a difference between writing: “I want to lose weight.” and “By February 1st, 2008 I feel healthy and weigh 115 pounds.” There is a difference between writing “I have a lot of money.” and “By January 1st, 2009 I have the habit of saving and have $10,000 in my investment account.” Can you see and feel the difference?
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STEP 5: “Part Three: Daily Disciplines”- This is where the real work begins! Break down your monthly goal into a weekly or daily discipline that you can commit to that will ensure the accomplishment of your goal. For Example: Primary Goal: By February 1st, 2008 I can run for 30 minutes straight on a treadmill. Daily Discipline: I run on the treadmill for 20 minutes 4 times a week. Primary Goal: By February 1st, 2008 I receive an A in my Math class. Daily Discipline: Today I study Math for 15 minutes. Your daily disciplines can also include disciplines and habits that you would like to develop that do not necessarily connect with a one month goal. For Example: Today I floss my teeth. Today I fix my bed and hang up my clothes. Today I bring my lunch to work. After writing out your daily disciplines, fill in your Daily Discipline Scorecard so that throughout the month you can track your progress. STEP 6: “Part Four: Sacrifices”- We all have obstacles and habits that prevent us from reaching our goals. If you have a goal to lose weight, sacrificing “fast food” might be a good idea. If you are looking to spend more time reading good books, sacrificing T.V. might be a good start. When it comes to sacrifices, think of the things in your life that most often stand in the way of accomplishing your goals. STEP 7: “Other Goals, Projects, Things To Do”- This section will provide the space for you to fill in those things that must be accomplished during the month that do not necessarily require a “daily discipline” to accomplish. For example, getting your oil changed, scheduling your physical, registering for classes, etc. STEP 8: Regardless of your results, how many boxes you have checked off on your scorecard, and whether or not all your goals were completed…BY THE 1ST OF THE NEXT MONTH, GO THROUGH THE WORKSHOP AGAIN! WRITE OUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PRIMARY GOALS, DAILY DISCIPLINES, AND SACRIFICES…AGAIN! Have the resilience to take the time, regardless of “failure” to set your goals for the upcoming month. Remember, “Repetition is the mother of all skill”! Stay committed to the goal-setting process!
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THE SIX AREAS - AN OVERVIEW Family & Home This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together. – Matthew 19:5-6 (NLT) ‘Honor your father and mother.’ This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, ‘things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.’ – Ephesians 6:1-2 (NLT) The goals that you set in this area of life will pertain to: • How you would like to improve and invest in the depth and quality of the relationships that you have with your family members: Husband, Wife, Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. • Your responsibilities within your home. • Your overall plan to improve the Family & Home area of your life.
Mental & Educational Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2 (NIV) The goals that you set in this area of life will pertain to: • Your “formal education”: grades, tests, future schooling, etc. • Your “self education”: books to read, classes to take, seminars to attend, audios to listen to, etc. • Your overall plan to improve the Mental & Educational area of your life.
Spiritual & Ethical Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. – Matthew 6:33 (NLT) The goals that you set in this area of life will pertain to: • How you would like to improve and invest in the depth and quality of the relationship you have with your Creator. • Your level of participation and commitment in your local church. • How you would like to improve your character and personal integrity. • Your overall plan to improve the Spiritual & Ethical area of your life.
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Physical & Health You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies. – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NCV) The goals that you set in this area of life will pertain to: • Your eating habits. • Your exercise program. • Your personal hygiene. • Your overall plan to improve the Physical & Health area of your life.
Financial & Career If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? – Luke 16:10-11 (NLT) The goals that you set in this area of life will pertain to: • Your job and career path. • Your business and entrepreneurial ideas. • Your plans for earning, saving, investing, and giving. • Your overall plan to improve the Financial & Career area of your life.
Social & Cultural A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. – John 13:34-35 (NIV) The goals that you set in this area of life will pertain to: • How you would like to improve and invest in the depth and quality of the relationships that you have with those individuals outside of your family. • Your social contribution: volunteering, philanthropy, giving of your time, charity, etc. • Your awareness of your own personal culture and culture of others. • Your overall plan to improve the Social & Cultural area of your life.
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LONG-TERM GOALS “Setting goals for life with purpose and commitment guarantees benefits and progress to all. Protecting yourself from long-term commitment and purpose is wasting life and abandoning responsibility to all mankind. All of us must, if we are to exhibit integrity, pull our fair share of the load. By opting out of goals for life, we waste our abilities and opportunities, and therefore accept second best.” – Peter J. Daniels
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10+ YEARS GOALS 1. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 4. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 5. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 6. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 7. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 8. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 9. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 10. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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10+ YEARS GOALS 11. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 12. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 13. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 14. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 15. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 16. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 17. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 18. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 19. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 20. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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10 YEAR GOALS 1. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 4. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 5. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 6. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 7. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 8. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 9. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 10. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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10 YEAR GOALS 11. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 12. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 13. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 14. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 15. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 16. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 17. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 18. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 19. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 20. _______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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5 YEAR GOALS 1. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 4. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 5. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 6. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 7. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 8. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 9. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 10. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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5 YEAR GOALS 11. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 12. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 13. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 14. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 15. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 16. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 17. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 18. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 19. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 20. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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1 YEAR GOALS 1. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 4. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 5. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 6. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 7. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 8. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 9. _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 10. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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1 YEAR GOALS 11. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 12. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 13. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 14. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 15. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 16. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 17. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 18. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 19. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 20. _______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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DESIGNING YOUR FUTURE “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” - Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) The gift of life is a God-given blessing to each and every one of us! Everyday that you and I wake up, we have yet another opportunity to enjoy the countless experiences that life makes available to us. Whether it is to love or to feel loved, to work or to rest, to worship or to pray, to learn or to teach, to enjoy art or to be an artist, to sing or to dance, to enjoy the fellowship of friends or to be a friend, these are just a few of the many experiences that make living life exciting and full of possibility!!! What type of life do you wish to live? What experiences would you like yourself and your family to have? I sincerely believe that the quality of life that we desire to live and the experiences we wish to have are all a matter of choice and design. Just as an artist can take a blank canvas and, using the colors of the rainbow, turn it into a masterpiece, we can do the same with our lives. Similarly, as a writer can take the 26 letters in the alphabet, which are available to us all, and turn them into a literary work of art, so can we take the gift of life, which is also available to us all, and turn it into whatever it is that we desire! But with the world at our hands and the future of our lives before us, I find it very interesting how many individuals choose to live their lives un-designed. If I were to talk to 100 people on the street, 90 out of 100 would say that they have goals for their life. But out of those 90 maybe one would actually have them written down! If I was to ask you to show me your list of goals would you have something to show me? Would a builder start building a home without a blueprint? Would a pilot take off without a flight plan? Certainly not! The building is “finished”, on paper, before it is started! The clear path to an airplane’s destination is clearly marked and “finished”, on paper, before the plane leaves the runway! Why then do we start our days, weeks, months, and years, without them being “finished”, on paper, first? Written goals are an invaluable, necessary tool that we must use to design the life that we desire. Without written goals we are like the airplane pilot without a flight plan, headed for disaster! Without specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time sensitive goals we are living our lives like a builder without a blueprint, having no idea what we are making of ourselves. A great travesty is that most of us have gone through our 12+ years of schooling without ever learning how to set goals. We have goals for our life, inside of our heads; we just have never taken the time to discipline our thoughts by writing
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them down. In addition, we have never been given a format to follow that will allow us to believe that what we write down can become a reality. I’d like to help you eliminate that excuse! The following workshops provide you with a structured format that you can use to set your goals every single month. I encourage you to take the time to go through the exercises immediately. How many more un-designed days and months do you want to live?!? The ability to live life, with an ever increasing anticipation for the future as opposed to apprehension for tomorrow, is a blessing. My goals and dreams give me vitality and vigor for life like nothing else can. My clear, concise, written goals allow me to control the direction of change in my life. Regardless of the circumstances or the obstacles that might come my way, my goals and vision of the future, like a magnet, pull me through!!!
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
JANUARY
“Goals without the means to achieve are only useful for flights of fancy; an occasional pick-me-up. Without a plan we see the goals, but a section of our life is missing; we are without the bridge or mechanism to cross from fantasy to reality.” – Peter J. Daniels 27
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 28
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Spiritual & Ethical: By February 1st, 2008 I read through and finish the book of Proverbs. Physical & Health: By February 1st, 2008 I weigh 150 lbs. Financial & Career: By February 1st, 2008 I save $500 towards a new home. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 29
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex: Spiritual & Ethical: Today I read one chapter of Proverbs. Physical & Health: Today I do 3 sets of 30 crunches and 20 push-ups. Today I do 10 minutes of cardiovascular activity. Financial & Career: Today I place $17.00 in my “New Home” Savings Account. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 30
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: JANUARY DAY SPIRITUAL
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PHYSICAL
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1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn 31
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PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
JANUARYOTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
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But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 33
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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A LOVE LETTER FROM YOUR SAVIOR Dearly Beloved, In the midst of your many responsibilities, busy schedule, bills to pay, and troubles that may be occupying your mind at this time… Please pause for a moment and quiet your spirit… I want to share my heart with you… From the beginning, I have loved you with an unfailing love. My desire for your life has been that you and I would develop a love relationship that would fulfill all of your needs. I understand that there have been many times when you have felt frustrated, confused, and alone. But I want to remind you that I love you and I will never forsake you. I long to be in fellowship and communion with you. I love you. Unconditionally. In spite of your past. I love you still. Your heart may be very far from me. You may even resent me. I love you still. And I will never stop loving you. Like the Father anticipating the return of his Prodigal Son My arms are open wide ready to enter into a deeper love relationship with you. I desire to provide for you the peace, joy, and abundance of life that I fashioned you to experience. And when this life is over… I desire to spend eternity with you. But the choice is ultimately yours… WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH MY LOVE TODAY? Sincerely, Your Savior
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
FEBRUARY
“The guy says, ‘When you work where I work, by the time you get home, it's late. You've got to have a bite to eat, watch a little TV, relax and get to bed. You can't sit up half the night planning, planning, planning.’ And he's the same guy who is behind on his car payment!” –Jim Rohn 39
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 40
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Mental & Educational: By March 1st, 2008, I read through Rich Dad Poor Dad. Social & Cultural: By March 1st, 2008, I have the habit of encouraging family and friends. Family & Home: By March 1st, 2008, consistently spend quality time with my kids. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 41
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex: Mental & Educational: Today I read 10 pages of Rich Dad Poor Dad. Social & Cultural: Today I encourage a family member or friend. Family & Home: Today I give undivided attention to my children for at least 30 minutes. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 42
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: FEBRUARY DAY SPIRITUAL
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PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
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PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
FEBRUARYOTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 45
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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WHO ARE YOU LIVING FOR? “And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.” – Titus 2:7 (NLT) 2 Half-Marathons, 1 Full Marathon, and 3 Mini-Triathlons. This past year I was very proud of my accomplishments in the Physical and Health area of my life. I never imagined myself even competing let alone completing races like these. But, if I was to take a minute and think about how I arrived at a place where I even considered signing up for events like these, I can only point to one person…my dad. My dad starting training for his first marathon (a marathon is a 26.2 mile run) in March of 2001. He ran the marathon in June of that same year, and ever since then he has taken his physical and health goals very seriously. He finished the marathon in a little over 5 hours. He ran his second marathon the following year under 4 hours! A whole hour off of his previous time! He took 2003 off, and in 2004 he set the goal to qualify and run in the Boston Marathon! He needed to finish in 3 hours and 30 minutes to qualify, and in December of 2004, he finished in 3:30:59. He qualified with one second to spare!!! (And for those of you trying to do the math in your head, that is an average of an 8 minute mile over 26 miles!) Amazing. Then, in April of 2005, just four years after he started training, he ran in the most popular marathon in our country…the Boston Marathon! What an inspiration, huh? And he was just getting started. Over the last two years he has been competing in Triathlons, of all different lengths, which consists of swimming, biking, and running! In August of 2007, at age 48, he completed an Olympic distance triathlon (Approximately a 1 mile swim, 50 mile bike, and a 6 mile run!!!) Not only did he complete the race but out of over 200 contestants he finished in the top 50% of all finishers!!! My dad is nuts!!! My dad may be “nuts”, but his achievements have gone far beyond himself. In 2001 as he began his training I don’t think he had any idea of the impact that he would have on others as a result of him reaching his goals. He was just doing his best to reach his full potential in the area of his health and fitness. Little did he know that as he went from race to race that he would be an inspiration to family members, business partners, co-workers, and church members to strive for more in the area of their health. As a result of his commitment, countless people in my father’s life have made commitments to run marathons, half-marathons, compete in triathlons, start working out again, eat healthier, etc. The moral of the story is this: as we approach this year with a positive expectancy to achieve goals and commit to “resolutions”, in doing so, let’s keep in
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mind the people in our lives that we care about. The goals we set and achieve are not only for our own good. There are brothers, sisters, moms, dads, co-workers, aunts, uncles, friends, and children whose lives have an opportunity to be drastically changed and impacted as a result of the commitments and goals that we set and achieve! Many of the people in our lives just need a testimony so they can say to themselves, “If they can do it, I can do it too!” What is your testimony going to be? Who will you be an example for? Achieving goals and dreams can many times be overwhelming, but if you think about the many people who you can touch along the way as a result of your commitment, it just might give you the extra push you need to persevere. Complete the following list and attach your reasons why so that you can have more inspiration for why you must set and achieve goals in the coming year. WHO AM I LIVING FOR? 1. ______________________ WHY? ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. ______________________ WHY? ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. ______________________ WHY? ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. ______________________ WHY? ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 5. ______________________ WHY? ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
MARCH
“Goal setting is the most important aspect of all improvement and personal development plans. It’s the key to all fulfillment and achievement. Confidence is important, determination is vital, certain personality traits contribute to success, but they all come into focus in goal setting.” - Paul J. Meyer 51
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 52
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Spiritual & Ethical: By April 1st, 2008 I “Journal To Jesus” 15 times. Physical & Health: By April 1st, 2008 I have the habit of taking a multi-vitamin daily. Financial & Career: By April 1st, 2008 I complete my tax return. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 53
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex: Spiritual & Ethical: Today I “Journal To Jesus.” Physical & Health: Today I take my multi-vitamin. Financial & Career: Today I spend at least 15 minutes working on my taxes. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 54
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: MARCH DAY SPIRITUAL
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PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
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PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
MARCHOTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 57
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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I CAN! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) Today is a gift from God! I choose to begin this day with an attitude of gratitude. I am thankful for family, friends, and health But more importantly, I am thankful for LIFE and the many opportunities it brings. I CAN!!! Today is a brand new day!!! What a blessing it is to awake once again, giving me the opportunity to work towards fulfilling each and every dream God has birthed within me! I CAN!!! Today is the first day of the rest of my life! My past does not equal my future. I will begin the miracle process in my life by sowing seeds of Hard Work, Discipline, and Commitment. I CAN!!! Today I will face many choices. To Do...or to Delay To Act...or to Procrastinate To be Courageous...or to be Fearful To Stand...or to Fall To Commit...or to Quit I choose the simple disciplines over the slight errors in judgment. I CAN!!! Today determines Tomorrow. Faith, Hope, and Belief combined with a willingness to be faithful to the process will yield a harvest that is beyond what I could imagine. TODAY I CAN...AND I WILL!!!
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
APRIL
“Never again will I greet the dawn without a map. To drift from day to day is easy. No skill is required, nor effort nor pain. On the other hand to set goals for a day or a week or a month, and to attain those objectives, is never easy.” – Og Mandino 63
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 64
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Mental & Educational: By May 1st, 2008, I read How To Win Friends and Influence People. Social & Cultural: By May 1st, 2008, I get back in touch with Jim, Larry, and Susanna. Family & Home: By May 1st, 2008, I bring at least one box of old clothes to Goodwill. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 65
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex: Mental & Educational: Today I read 10 pages of How To Win Friends and Influence People. Social & Cultural: I call Jim, Larry, and Susanna at least once a week. Family & Home: I spend 1 hour every Saturday of the month purging old clothes. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 66
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: APRIL DAY SPIRITUAL
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PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
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PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
APRILOTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 69
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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DESTINY “Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.” - Ecclesiastes 6:10 (NKJV) There is a specific reason and purpose why I was created. There is a work to be done in my lifetime that I and only I were created to do. There is an impact that has yet to be made and there is a legacy that I am to leave. For those reasons, There are tensions that I live with daily. The people I serve today and the amount of people I am ultimately created to serve. My knowledge of people, places, and things today and the amount of knowledge that I am ultimately created to obtain. My giving today and the amount I am ultimately created to give. At the end of the day, we all struggle with the tension between: WHO I AM TODAY AND WHO I AM ULTIMATELY CREATED TO BE! I must respond to the tension! We must respond to the tension! WAKE UP! We must take action TODAY to move ourselves in the direction of our destiny! We must take action TODAY to become the person that we were created to be! We must keep the goal of achieving our full potential in every area of our lives our main objective! The alternative is death on the inside. The alternative is a life filled with unaccomplished dreams and goals. The alternative is emptiness. The alternative is expending your energy, day after day, putting your destiny on the backburner. The alternative is living a life of “quiet desperation”! Our full potential is a must! There is a crying, dying world out there that needs our example. There is a disease called mediocrity that is spreading across this country and the cure is found in you and the cure is found in me! The cure is found in our full potential! The cure is found in responding to the tension in our lives that ultimately says…
“You were created for much, much more and your joy will only be found in taking action daily to fulfill your…DESTINY!”
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
MAY
“Whether we are aware of it or not, whether we are in control of it or not, there is a first creation to every part of our lives. We are either the second creation of our own proactive design, or we are the second creation of other people’s agendas, of circumstances, or past habits.” - Stephen R. Covey 75
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 76
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense. Ex: Spiritual & Ethical: By June 1st, 2008 I have brought 4 people with me to church. Physical & Health: By June 1st, 2008 I complete a 5 mile run. Financial & Career: By June 1st, 2008 I pay off the $200 balance on my Capital One card. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 77
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex: Spiritual & Ethical: Today I hand out at least one church invite card. Physical & Health: I run 1 mile 2 times a week and I run 3 miles 1 time per week. Financial & Career: Today I do not purchase anything on my Capital One Card. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 78
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: MAY DAY SPIRITUAL
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
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PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
MAYOTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 81
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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A REMINDER FROM ABOVE One day, not long ago, I gave you a dream. I revealed to you a glimpse of your future, a vision of all that was possible when you put your trust in me. Do you remember? You were excited. You had faith. You believed. You fearlessly took action. Your zeal pleased me. But lately, it has not been the same. Your faith has dwindled. Circumstances. Family trouble, lack of finances, results unseen, these twists and turns of your journey have you doubting yourself. You have even doubted me. Why? Let me remind you... I never said it was going to be easy. I never said you would not feel pain. I never said you would have all the answers. But...I did leave you with these truths... I WILL NEVER GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG) TRUST ME AND I WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) NEVER QUIT! Strip down, start running—and never quit! Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
JUNE
“Goals must be set and we cannot be satisfied until they are reached. A man without goals is motionless. He has no reason to move forward. He is meaningless, he has no reason to be alive. Goals must be set and reached.” – Jim Paluch 87
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 88
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Mental & Educational: By July 1st, 2008, I read Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Social & Cultural: By July 1st, 2008, I have the habit of listening to others. Family & Home: By July 1st, 2008, I have the habit of showing love to my wife daily. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 89
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex: Mental & Educational: Today I read 10 pages of Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Social & Cultural: Today I actively listen to a family member or friend for at least 10 mins. Family & Home: Today I show love to my wife. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 90
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: JUNE DAY SPIRITUAL
1
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18
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20
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22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
91
31
PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
JUNEOTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 93
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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FAMILY AND WORK “Always reward your long hours of labor and toil in the very best way, surrounded by your family…And even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success.” - Og Mandino “Again I saw something here on earth that was useless: I saw a man who had no family, no son or brother. He always worked hard but was never satisfied with what he had. He never asked himself, ‘For whom am I working so hard?’” – Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 (NCV) In talking to family and friends about their goals I have found that Financial & Career goals are high on the priority list. I know that for me, this year I have very aggressive goals for the Financial & Career area of my life: increasing my income by 50%, saving 20% of my earnings, preparing to purchase a home, starting new business enterprises, etc. But I found that the goals I have set for myself related to finances, business, and work can be very consuming. Hopefully I’m not the only one who feels this way. So I am writing this article today as a reminder to myself, and anyone else who might struggle with balancing family and work, that all priorities are not equal. Author and successful entrepreneur Paul J. Meyer says it best, “I have learned from experience that not all priorities are equal. If you drop Work, it will bounce back like a rubber ball, but if you drop any of the others, they will break or at least be seriously damaged – because they are made of glass.” I don’t know about you, but I would never want to “break” my family relationships as a result of focusing too heavily on my work and financial goals. With that being said, I would like to share with you the three areas I will focus on to ensure that, regardless of all the work related goals that I might have, my family will remain a top priority: 1. GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION I commit to showing gratitude and appreciation to my family members on a continual basis. They impact my life in so many ways that I must stay faithful to making sure that they feel appreciated. 2. ENCOURGAMENT AND AFFIRMATION Life is not easy. There are setbacks, disappointments, and struggles that we all face every single day. I commit to being a source of encouragement to my family members in good times and in bad.
97
3. QUALITY TIME We have heard it said before that “LOVE” is spelled T-I-M-E. But I would go further and say that “LOVE” is spelled, Q-U-A-L-I-T-Y T-I-M-E! There is a difference between just eating dinner together and sharing meaningful conversation over a meal. There is a difference between watching T.V. together and spending time together in a way that truly builds relationships. I commit to spending quality time with my loved ones. Based on the degree to which you are implementing the above areas in your family relationships, I would encourage you to rate yourself on a scale of 1-10. How do you feel about your results? It is my strong belief that the elements of gratitude, encouragement, and quality time are necessary to build strong relationships. If these essentials are not at work within your family I would challenge you to ask yourself, “What exactly are my family relationships built on?” This may seem like a harsh question, but at the end of the day if all of your financial goals have been met and you are a superstar at your job, but you don’t have strong family relationships to come home to, what do you really have?!? I encourage you TODAY to invest in your family relationships by expressing gratitude, encouraging, and spending quality time with those you love. Like Og Mandino said, “even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success.
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
JULY
“What is it that you want? Define it. Write it down. Pinpoint every drop of that dream that you have in your mind. Define it so clearly on that piece of paper that you can completely see it in your mind. And when you get it written down, write "thank you" on it and plant that seed and put it away, and it will start to materialize and it will start coming into your life.” – Earl Shoaff 99
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 100
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Spiritual & Ethical: By August 1st, 2008, I have the habit of praying daily. Physical & Health: By August 1st, 2008, I am more limber and flexible. Financial & Career: By August 1st, 2008, I have researched new job opportunities daily. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 101
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex Spiritual & Ethical: Today I spend time in prayer. Physical & Health: Today I do a full body stretch. Financial & Career: Today I spend at least 15 minutes looking for a new job. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 102
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: JULY DAY SPIRITUAL
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
103
31
PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
JULYOTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 105
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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THE POWER OF REFLECTION Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. – Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) It is a lost art. An unlearned skill. And a last priority ability. So what?!? I mean… With so many things going on, who has the time? With so much on my mind already, what good will thinking about the past do? I lack so many other skills, why is this one important? What is reflection anyways? Well, I am glad you asked. Reflection is your ability to: Gather Up your past experiences, Analyze and Examine the lessons learned, And Invest those experiences into the future. To reflect is…to THINK! Day after day, week after week, and month after month our lives are filled with invaluable experiences that we can use to Learn, Grow, and Benefit from. The negative surrounds us daily. From day one we have heard more “No’s” than “Yes’s!” The number of people telling you, “You Can’t”, far outweigh the number of people telling you, “YOU CAN!” We must become our biggest cheerleader. Our ability to reflect upon our accomplishments and victories must become our greatest asset. The power of reflection has within it the ability to raise our Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence, and Pride… if we will take the time!
What did I do well today? What obstacles did I overcome? What lessons did I learn? What goals did I achieve? Ask yourself these questions and write down the answers daily so that you can gain… Strength, Energy, Vitality and Courage for the future!
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
AUGUST
“Every single life only becomes great when the individual sets upon a goal or goals which they really believe in, which they can really commit themselves to, which they can put their whole heart and soul into.” – Brian Tracy 111
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 112
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Mental & Educational: By September 1st, 2008, I read The Dreamgiver. Social & Cultural: By September 1st, 2008, I volunteer at the Red Cross 2 times. Family & Home: By September 1st, 2008, I take my wife on 4 “dates”. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 113
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex Mental & Educational: Today I read 10 pages of The Dreamgiver. Social & Cultural: Today I encourage a friend or a family member. Family & Home: Today I spend time planning the “dates” with my wife. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 114
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: AUGUST DAY SPIRITUAL
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
115
31
PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
AUGUSTOTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 117
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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TODAY IS MY MASTERPIECE “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalms 118:24 (NKJV) T A
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ODAY I WILL… S.K. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matt. 7:7 Today I choose to ASK, to receive, SEEK, to find, and KNOCK, so that doors will be opened! EEP GOD FIRST “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt. 6:33 Today I choose to grow my relationship with Christ through prayer and the reading of His Word. NCOURAGE “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thess. 5:11 Today I choose to encourage those who cannot encourage themselves. PPRECIATE “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:18 Today I choose to give thanks for all that I have been blessed with. OMMIT TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom. 12:2 Today I choose to read books and listen to audios that expand my mind. REAT MY BODY WITH CARE “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you.” 1 Cor. 6:19 Today I choose to exercise and be conscious of what I eat. NCREASE MY LEVEL OF INTEGRITY “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Prov. 11:3 Today I choose to make decisions based on my values and beliefs. VERCOME FEAR “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7 Today I choose to take one action I have neglected as a result of fear. EVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT! “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” Act. 20:24 Today I choose to persist until I succeed. TAKE ACTION TODAY!! DO TODAY WHAT OTHERS DON’T… SO YOU CAN HAVE TOMMOROW WHAT OTHERS WON’T!! CHOOSE TO MAKE TODAY YOUR MASTERPIECE!!!
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
SEPTEMBER
“Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk.” – J.C. Penny 123
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 124
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Spiritual & Ethical: By October 1st, 2008, I start a Men’s Bible Study. Physical & Health: By October 1st, 2008, I have the habit of drinking 8 cups of water daily. Financial & Career: By October 1st, 2008, I have researched new job opportunities daily. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 125
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex Spiritual & Ethical: Today I contact 1 potential candidate for the Men’s Bible Study. Physical & Health: Today I drink 8 cups of water. Financial & Career: Today I spend at least 15 minutes looking for a new job. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 126
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: SEPTEMBER DAY SPIRITUAL
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PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
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PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
SEPTEMBEROTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 129
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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THE 4TH QUARTER “So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it.” - 2 Corinthians 8:10 (The Message) We have arrived…October 1st. With 9 months behind us, the final quarter of the year is here! It has all gone by so fast. Our New Year’s Resolutions have long been thrown out the window. Our “spring cleaning” has turned into “fall piles of mess”. And our summer vacation was anything but! A little sarcastic I know. But we must face reality. Summer is over. “Halloween” is 30 days away. And yes…The Holidays are in sight. But with the close of every season comes…OPPORTUNITY! You have the choice. You can “coast” until the New Year. Or you can decide to make the next 3 months, The Best 3 Months of Your Life! Today begins a brand new day! Today begins a brand new week! Today begins a brand new month! Today begins the “4th Quarter”! The “4th Quarter” is when the biggest plays are made! The “4th Quarter” is when individuals either rise to the occasion or reveal to the world their lack of preparation! The “4th Quarter” gives opportunity to redeem yourself for poor performance in previous quarters! Regardless of the score, you can come back in the “4th Quarter”! The “4th Quarter” provides a stage for you to show the world, once and for all, what you are capable of! I encourage you to Finish Strong! I encourage you to write out your goals in the major areas of your life, and design the next 3 months exactly how you want them to play out. Have a purpose. Set a goal. Write out a plan. Take action daily to make it happen. It really can be that simple. But the choice is ultimately yours. You have the tools. You have the support. You have the ability. Only one questions remains,
“Will you decide to give it your very best… in the 4th Quarter?!?”
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
OCTOBER
“The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, learn about them or even seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.” - Denis Waitley 135
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 136
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Mental & Educational: By November 1st, 2008, I read Unlocking Your Legacy. Soc. & Cult.: By November 1st, 2008, I post two articles of encouragement on my website. Family & Home: By November 1st, 2008, I decide where I want to purchase my first home. .Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 137
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex Mental & Educational: Today I read 10 pages of Unlocking Your Legacy. Social & Cultural: Today I spend 15 minutes in creative writing. Family & Home: Today I spend 30 minutes looking at properties in the Bay Area. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 138
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: OCTOBER DAY SPIRITUAL
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PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
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PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
OCTOBEROTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 141
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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GRATITUDE IN ACTION “Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.” - 2 Corinthians 8:24 (NIV) The turkey, the stuffing, the apple pie, and the good cheer are a given. We’ve eaten and stuffed ourselves beyond capacity year after year so that’s definitely not going to change. This year however, what is going to change is the “thanksgiving” part of Thanksgiving! During this time of the year you will be asked, “What are you thankful for?” You might also hear the question, “Who are you thankful for?” That is a great start, but the purpose of this article is to inspire you to act upon the following question:
“This month, what will I do to make it overwhelmingly obvious to the people I love and care for that I appreciate them?” As children, we have parents who have loved us and invested in our lives for years. As parents, you have children who love you and who have brought joy to your family in many different ways. As friends, we have people in our lives that support, encourage, and listen to us when no one else is around. And last but not least, as leaders, we have team members who go to work week after week on our behalf. We all have people in our lives that we appreciate, but the key question is, “Do they know?” It is one thing to think about the people that we are thankful for. It is another to write a list of those whom we are thankful for. But it is the act of expressing our gratitude to those we appreciate and love that will make this Thanksgiving our best yet! If you are not yet convinced that expressing your gratitude to your loved ones is a priority or if you feel that expressing appreciation is uncomfortable, I would want to bring to your attention the last time you felt unappreciated. Have you ever gone out of your way to do something for a friend and not received a thank you? Have you ever performed well on the job and not received recognition? Have you ever felt unappreciated by your children? Have you ever been unappreciated by your significant other? How did that make you feel? We all have been taken for granted, but that is something that we cannot control. Regardless of the amount of appreciation we have received, we must make the decision to never allow those we are thankful for to feel unappreciated. Choose today to give the type of gratitude and appreciation to others that you wish to receive!
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Maya Angelou once said, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." There is no better time of the year, then right now, to make those we love
feel appreciated! Commit today to make an impact on your family and friends that will last a lifetime! The following page includes a list of action steps that you can take to ensure that this Thanksgiving you will pour out more gratitude and appreciation for those you care for than ever before. I encourage you to fill it out and follow it through to completion.
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5 STEPS TO MAKING THANKSGIVING 2008 MY BEST ONE EVER! STEP #1: Write the names of the people in your life who you are thankful for. I challenge you to think of at least 5. STEP #2: Write down the tangible action step that you can take this month to express your gratitude and appreciation to that person. Examples include: writing a letter, sending a card, sending an e-card, giving a phone call, setting up a lunch or dinner date, giving a gift, etc. Remember, the goal is to make it overwhelmingly obvious to those who you care about that you appreciate them! So before writing down your action step, ask yourself, “This month, what will I do to make it
overwhelmingly obvious to ______________ (the name of the person you are appreciating) that I appreciate him/her?” STEP #3: Write down the date when you will commit to taking that action step. Remember this is a THANKSGIVING exercise… STEP #4: FOLLOW THROUGH ON YOUR COMMITMENT! STEP #5: As soon as the feeling comes over you that it is too much work and not worth it…FOLLOW THROUGH ON YOUR COMMITMENT!!! NAME Example: Uncle Jerry
ACTION STEP
COMMITMENT DATE
Send a Thank-You card
November, 20th, 2008
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
NOVEMBER
“By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands — your own." – Mark Victor Hansen 149
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 150
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense Ex: Spiritual & Ethical: By December 1st, 2008, I write in my gratitude journal 12 times. Physical & Health: By December 1st, 2008, I can do 10 sets of 20 push-ups in one hour. Financial & Career: By December 1st, 2008, I hire a bookkeeper. .Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 151
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex Spiritual & Ethical: I write in my gratitude journal 3 times a week. Physical & Health: Today I do 3-4 sets of 25-30 push-ups. Financial & Career: Today I spend at least 15 minutes looking for a bookkeeper. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 152
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: NOVEMBER DAY SPIRITUAL
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
PHYSICAL
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
MENTAL
SOCIAL
1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
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31
PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson
NOVEMBEROTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
TO BE COMPLETED BY:
1. ______________________________
___________
2. ______________________________
___________
3. ______________________________
___________
4. ______________________________
___________
5. ______________________________
___________
6. ______________________________
___________
7. ______________________________
___________
8. ______________________________
___________
9. ______________________________
___________
10. _____________________________
___________
11. _____________________________
___________
12. _____________________________
___________
13. _____________________________
___________
14. _____________________________
___________
15. _____________________________
___________
16. _____________________________
___________
17. _____________________________
___________
18. _____________________________
___________
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 155
NOTES ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
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A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER This can’t be happening. They must have made a mistake. As your doctor leaves the examination room, you are in a state of shock. You begin to think to yourself, “How can this be? Just yesterday I was working out at the gym and I felt great. Just yesterday I was thanking God for how healthy I was.” It seems like an eternity goes by before you gather your things, leave the examination room, and walk solemnly through the waiting room. With tears rolling down the side of your cheek, it is obvious, to the two elderly gentlemen that await their appointment, that something has gone terribly wrong. You try to give them a smile to let them know that everything will be O.K., but you know that you are far from being fine. You slowly open the door to exit the office, and as you begin walking down the hallway, you are overcome with sorrow. The harsh reality that a cancer is spreading through your body and will take your life by the morning of December 26th is a reality that you do not want to believe. Is this really it? Have I run out of time? You can’t help but mutter the words…“Will this really be my last Christmas?!?” A very unlikely scenario this is for anyone whom may be reading this article, but I paint such a dramatic picture to make a point that I hope will challenge you to approach this Christmas, specifically in the area of gift giving, in a whole new way.
If you knew that this Christmas would be your last, what “gifts” would you give to your family and friends, to ensure that this would be a Christmas that they would remember for the rest of their lives? I believe that we are living in times where thoughtfulness, gratitude, appreciation, and love are seldom expressed through the gifts that we give. Many of us have fallen into the trap, me included, of buying gifts and presents many times out of habit and obligation. But when all is said and done, what message does a Starbucks gift card and a sweater really communicate to the person whom you might be giving it to? Now I have absolutely nothing against gift cards and sweaters, but I believe as leaders in our homes and in our communities we can stand to be more thoughtful and creative. The reality is, and you know this to be true because you have felt this way yourself, most of the people in our lives, at this very moment, are feeling inadequate, unappreciated, and unloved. Now it is great to get our loved ones what they want (shoes, watches, video games, clothes), but to give people what they need is the challenge that I have set before myself. Our family and friends need love. Our family and friends need encouragement and affirmation. Our family and friends need to know that we do not take them for granted. Whether it be through a card, letter, conversation over dinner, collage, picture album, etc., in addition to whatever “material” or “fun” gifts that you might be giving to those you love, what will you do this Christmas to send a message of love?
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Let us not be so foolish to think that we can wait till next year to go the “extra-mile” with our gift giving. Tomorrow is not promised to any man or woman. If you knew that on the morning after Christmas you would cease to exist, what would you give to those you love to make Christmas 2008 a Christmas to remember?
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DESIGNING YOUR BEST MONTH EVER! MONTHLY GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP
DECEMBER
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” – Stephen A. Brennan 161
PART ONE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) List the accomplishments and circumstances, from the past month, from each area of life, which you are proud of and can be grateful for: Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Make the victories in your life goals special occasions because nobody will work faithfully and competently forever without some recognition.” – Peter J. Daniels “Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.” – Jim Rohn 162
PART TWO: PRIMARY GOALS The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 (NASB) List your primary goals, in every area of life, for the upcoming month: Note: Your goals must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive). Your goals also must be written Personally, Positively, and in the Present Tense. Ex: Mental & Educational: By January 1st, 2009, I read The Richest Man In Babylon. Social & Cultural: By December 20th, 2009, I send out Christmas cards to 20 friends. Family & Home: By January 1st, 2009, I read Love and Respect. .Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“Goal setting is simply writing down your dreams, crystallizing your thinking, and then developing a plan with a deadline for its attainment.” – Paul J. Meyer 163
PART THREE: DAILY DISCIPLINES For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) List the daily discipline that you will commit to, in each area of life, to ensure that your goals are reached: Ex Mental & Educational: Today I read 10 pages of The Richest Man In Babylon. Social & Cultural: Today I spend 15 minutes working on Christmas cards. Family & Home: Today I read 10 pages of Love and Respect. Spiritual & Ethical: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Financial & Career: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Physical & Health: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Mental & Educational: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Family & Home: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Social & Cultural: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – John C. Maxwell “All disciplines affect each other. Mistakenly the man says, ‘This is the only area where I let down.’ Not true. Every let down affects the rest. Not to think so is naive.” – Jim Rohn 164
DAILY DISCIPLINE SCORECARD No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:11 MONTH: DECEMBER DAY SPIRITUAL
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1. Under each area of life fill in a daily discipline you will commit to for the month. 2. When daily discipline is complete mark an “X” in the box that coincides with the day of the month in which it was completed.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” - Jim Rohn
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PART FOUR: SACRIFICES Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV) List the sacrifices you will make to ensure that nothing stands in the way of accomplishing your goals: Examples: I do not eat fast food. I do not watch T.V. I do not watch movies from Monday through Thursday. 1. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
“What proportion of my life am I prepared to give in exchange for accomplishing this desire? In other words, do my desires reflect just what I would like to have happen or what I am prepared to sacrifice to have happen?” – Peter J. Daniels “Whatever the dream, whatever the goal, there is a price you will need
to pay, and that means something you will need to give up.” – Jeff Olson 166
DECEMBEROTHER GOALS/PROJECTS/THINGS TO DO: ITEM
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But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. – Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) 167
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PAUL J. MEYER’S THOUGHTS ON GOAL-SETTING If you are not making the progress you would like to make and are capable of making, it is simply because your goals are not clearly defined. Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort. No one ever accomplishes anything of consequence without a goal. If you expect to “find” time to achieve your goals, you’ll still be looking ten years from now. The only way to get time is to make it. Measure your activity and your results on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. It’s the only way to know whether you are succeeding. Like any other worthwhile endeavor, crystallizing your goals and working toward their attainment requires serious thought and constant diligence. Convert your goals into positive, present tense statements called affirmations. 170
Goal setting is the most important aspect of all improvement and personal development plans. It is the key to all fulfillment and achievement. Confidence is important, determination is vital, certain personality traits help to contribute to success, but they all come into focus in goal setting. A goal is more than just a target toward which we move. There is something almost mystical about a crystallized goal when you have developed a plan and deadline for its attainment. A written goal keeps you on track, serves as a checkpoint, and protects you from being overwhelmed by outside distractions. Unwritten goals are hazy goals, and a hazy goal will produce, at best, a hazy result. Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon, must inevitably come to pass! Success is the progressive realization of worthwhile, predetermined personal goals.
For more information on material by Paul J. Meyer visit: www.PaulJMeyer.com
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JIM ROHN’S THOUGHTS ON GOAL-SETTING I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care than they plan their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change. If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they may have planned for you? Not much. The reason why most people face the future with apprehension instead of anticipation is because they don't have it well designed. The major reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it. What it makes of you will always be the far greater value than what you get. Some people are disturbed by those tough days because all they have is the days. They haven't designed or described or defined the future. Goals. There's no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There's no telling what you can do when you believe in them. And there's no telling what will happen when you act upon them.
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We all need lots of powerful long-range goals to help us past the short-term obstacles. The ultimate reason for setting goals is to entice you to become the person it takes to achieve them. Don't set your goals too low. If you don't need much, you won't become much. If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. If you go to work on your plan, your plan will go to work on you. Whatever good things we build end up building us. We all have two choices: We can make a living or we can design a life.
These quotes are by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine, go to www.jimrohn.com or send a blank email to
[email protected] Excerpted from The Treasury of Quotes by Jim Rohn. Copyright © 1994-2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.
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PETER J. DANIELS’ THOUGHTS ON GOAL-SETTING Goals are the solidification of dreams, ideas and ideals in practical form, for practical implementation for practical completion. Goals are the result of bringing dreams, ideas and ideals into tangible and examinable form. Goals without the means to achieve are only useful for flights of fancy; an occasional pick-me-up. Without a plan we see the goals, but a section of our life is missing; we are without the bridge or mechanism to cross from fantasy to reality. You must get your goals into written form, otherwise you will continue to play mind games which belong in adolescence rather than adulthood. I say again, get the writing habit with thoughts, quotes, expressions and ideas. Plan your dream so that you can nail down the goals and the means to achieve them. I see this as fencing them off. When you write it all down, it cannot escape from your grasp and will not become fleeting, wasted moments. I cannot stress enough the need to do it quickly before the vapor of smoke vanishes and recall is lost.
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If you are the least bit serious about your dream, solidarity of documentation and clarity of examination must be worked into it. A dream must have the permanence of paper and with that comes the opportunity to give it life and exposure to justify its existence. The absence of a goal is probably one of the most destructive forces facing some people. The beauty of goal-setting is that its creative force is exclusively personal. This not only produces satisfaction from knowing where you are going, but it also produces satisfaction by increasing your own self-esteem and in so doing it creates a selflove that inspires. In my experience motivation has only been sustained by an individual who has written life goals with deadlines and measurements, all put together in a parcel an individual believes in. Goals are the next step to realism. In one giant leap they take you from the unreal to the real. Your life goals, can be reached by combining your great dreams with action to ignite that energy force. For more information on material by Peter Daniels visit: www.PeterDanielsOnline.com
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