In school we learned about SMART goals and some of you may be familiar with that concept. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-sensitive)
But we don’t do SMART goals around here. Many of my goals are unmeasurable and pretty unspecific.
However, they’re notes for me to look on to keep myself accountable and remind myself what I’m doing.
A pro of them not being specific is that maybe they could help you too.
All of my goals are very entangled, but I tried to split it into the categories of my relationship with God, my relationship with others, our squad’s impact, and other personal goals. Each category includes growth, which every SMART advocate would say isn’t a real goal, but I’m making it one.
In the relationship with God category my main goals are dependence and trust. I want to acknowledge that I can’t do anything on my own and as a result, continuously ask God for help. I also want to follow God even when I have no idea what that means. I stepped into this trip pretty blindly. I didn’t do much research, I don’t know what to expect, and I don’t know what it will lead to. All I know is that if God wants me here, that’s where I want to be.
In my relationships with others I hope to grow in vulnerability and reliance. I have historically struggled with being vulnerable and I am already seeing growth in that in the time that I’ve been here so far. I don’t want to be closed off from all the lovely people that I’ve been blessed to have in my life. I have also struggled with relying on others. I like to call myself a strong, independent woman, but I’m learning that that doesn’t mean doing life alone. God designed us to live in community and bear each other’s burdens.
My squad’s impact is a huge thing to focus on because reaching people is the reason to go on a trip like this. I want to be so focused on serving others and I want to see God change lives because I know He can. 1 Corinthians 3:7-9 says, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” I want to take that posture into this trip and my life.
My other personal goals are to focus on letting go and being present. I want to release habits, thought processes, and comfortability that prohibit my growth and step into new. I also want to remember to be present. I have that word tattooed for a reason. It’s a constant goal of mine, but it carries new weight on this trip. It would be easy to spend most of my time talking to my boyfriend on the phone or taking the quiet time I think I ‘earned’ from being around people as an introvert. Neither of those things are bad in themselves, but I don’t want to miss out on what God has for me here in new relationships and memories that come from being fully immersed.
I know God will do amazing things on this trip and I want to be open to receive that. I can’t wait to bring this post back in eight months and tell you what’s changed. 🙂
Love the scripture verse and I can’t wait to hear the updates as God continues to shape and use you!!!
Emma, what adult thinking and reasoning. I love what you are leaning or highlighting about your self. As you well know, you are on a awesome adventure. Possibly an adventure of a lifetime!!! Keep looking to God for quidance and never give up your values and seeking God’s guidance!
Emma, It is so encouraging to hear about your willingness to lean on God and keeping your focus on His ways! Stay in His Word!??
Absolutely! I know that God is going to use this trip so much!! And I’ll see it even more when I look for Him which is so exciting.
So true
It’s definitely comforting to know that when I seek God I will find Him and everything else will follow. Thank you Brad!
The experience I have had with missions, I have found the most fulfilling to be the ones that I did not set expectations on. I allowed God to work and guide and found the outcome to be more than I ever could have planned on my own. Personal goals are hard, but it sounds like you are approaching them in an awesome manner. Praying for you and your squad. Enjoy this time.
That’s good to hear. I’m so glad that God will figure it out because I sure wouldn’t be able to haha. Thank you for the prayers!
Emma, it’s seems that God is working mightily in you! I am encouraged by the goals you have set and will be praying for you in those. The Lord will honor your heart to build relationship with Him as you draw near to Him. It’s His promise to you. Reaching these goals will flow from your deeper relationship with Him.