Organizing the Inside – Day 116 The Danger of Too Many Goals

December 28, 2011 at 10:30 am · Filed under Encouragement, Inspiration, Organizing, Purpose, Simplicity, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Christianity, Ecclesiastes, Religion & Spirituality

10I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
11Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:10, 11

Solomon was trying to figure it all out.
Solomon pursued various unrelated ventures as he sought to find the meaning life. Although He was at a point in his life where he’d achieved a tremendous amount of success, he concludes: Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 12:8

What are you focusing on?
What are your current goals and does each of your goals compliment the others. Take a look at what your current goals are about. Do they support your true values and priorities?  Do you find that your goals have competing priorities? Having too many goals can create confusion and slow down your productivity.

Organize Your Goals.
Your goals should motivate and excite you as well as support your values by keeping you focused on the things that are important in your life. If your goals are preventing you from focusing or seem to be stretching you in several different directions, consider modifying your goals. Each goal should relate to the next and all should focus on moving you closer toward God’s plan for your life. Consider the following questions:

1. When pursuing my goals am I operating in my brilliant zone; or do I often get bored or lose focus?
2. Do my goals create major conflict in my life? If so, why?
3. Is God pleased with my current set of goals?
4. Have I committed my goals to God, and asked Him to direct my path?
5. Do my goals support my values?
6. Are my current goals based on a pattern of pleasing God or man?
7. What other steps should I take to better organize my goals?

God is a master planner, so ask Him to guide you.
As you look at adjusting your goals do your best to build them around things that have eternal value. Don’t make the mistake of taking on too many goals all at once. Solomon seemed to admit that in his quest for answers to the meaning of life, he just went for it and did whatever he felt like doing. He said, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired…”  This would not be what I’d suggest. Focus on achieving God’s best for your life. Living in your brilliant zone is about following your passion and doing what you do best. God placed your talents, abilities, gifts and skills  inside you to empower and give you what you need to carry out His will in your life. Follow your heart, but stay focused and enjoy every step along the way.

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