Typically, people think about goals regarding major life events, such as graduating college or having a baby. People also often make a long list of resolutions and goals they hope to accomplish in the following year, like learning new skills or exercising more.

Many times, these goals are never met within a calendar year. People often formulate a bucket list of goals they hope to accomplish in their lifetime but, sadly, never achieve more than just a few.

As a result, we sometimes decide to give up on setting goals altogether. 

However, our big goals in life are more attainable if we focus more on setting godly ones. Usually, when we set long-term goals, we are thinking about physical goals. In contrast, spiritual goals draw us closer to God. 

The purpose of spiritual goals is to help us become more aware of who we are in relation to God. 

Our objectives are meant to improve our relationship with Jesus by giving us the tools and strength we need to accomplish the specific tasks He's given us. To achieve our spiritual goals, it’s essential that we invite the presence of God into the process.

Regarding the work we must complete before Christ returns, godly goals have to do with who God created us to be and what can make us the best versions of ourselves. Those who seek godly goals turn to God for guidance as well as personal growth.

People mistakenly believe that goal setting demonstrates a lack of trust and is unspiritual. To lead a good life, people should wait for God to lead them.

It’s true that God wants us to avoid a self-centered attitude without consulting Him for guidance. Likewise, he doesn’t want us to sit around and do nothing. He's given us talents and gifts, and He has also said that we must act to live our best lives.

Lack of faith or fear can lead to forging ahead without seeking God or sitting back and doing nothing. Setting important life goals and consulting with Him shows that you trust Him and believe in His ability to guide you.

You may wonder if God wants you to set goals. 

Yes, God wishes you the best for your health and well-being. In the darkness of this world, He wants for you to be a light that points to Him. It's imperative that you set goals for yourself to achieve this. 

Here are four areas in your life where you can work to set goals and achieve them.

Personal development goals

You can think of a self-development plan as a roadmap that illustrates what exactly your personal goals are and how to achieve them.

In other words, it's about being prepared and proactive in every aspect of your life so you can reap the benefits in the future.

Some of the benefits include:

1. Better mental health and self-esteem
2. More enjoyment out of life
3. Building better relationships
4. Feeding a love of lifelong learning
   

The question is, however, how do you set goals to maximize the impact of your personal development plan? 

An ideal solution is to use a framework. Having specific goals is really the key to personal development success. Having a goal that’s measurable, such as losing weight, praying every day, or taking the time for self-care, is important for success. 

It’s also a good idea to make them both achievable and timely. Your chances of sticking to your schedule increase if you have a concrete timeframe.

Career goals

Choosing career and financial goals that are aligned with your values can be incredibly rewarding. 

You may want to consider the many benefits this practice can provide if you're someone who doesn’t set goals because you're too busy or simply don't see the point. 

Having clear career objectives makes it easy to know where you're going. By letting go of unnecessary things in the workplace, you can concentrate on what you need to do to achieve your goals. 

With a greater focus, you'll be able to prioritize actions like finding a mentor or improving your skills. You’ll be able to make decisions and take actions that will actively contribute toward achieving your goals. 

Another benefit of working toward solutions that meet your needs is that you're more likely to find job satisfaction as a result.

Spiritual goals

The very essence of your soul is deeply connected to your spirituality. By achieving your spiritual goals, you are creating something much greater than yourself. 

In addition to strengthening your relationship with God, setting spiritual goals can also strengthen your relationship with yourself. It can provide you with the tools you need to live a happier, more content life. 

Spirituality provides a sense of direction and a sense of provision in our lives, without which we may feel lost and unmotivated. 

Some examples of spiritual goals are:

1. Speaking to God daily
2. Spreading love to your neighbors
3. Helping others in need
4. Showing empathy
5. Promoting peace
6. Learning to forgive others
   

When you set spiritual goals, you'll be guided in the direction of your life goals. 

In the end, your faith and values are what truly make you whole. When you don’t strive to lead a life filled with God, you'll constantly be seeking out things and people to fill up your void.

Legacy or family goals

Most of us set personal goals and resolutions, but the vast majority of families don’t set collective goals or legacy goals for themselves.

By investing in our family's success, we consider how we'd like it to grow. Without establishing goals for our families, we will likely not take the steps necessary to achieve much as a unit. Creating a common goal with your family improves your chances of success as a family.

In the chaos of everyday family life, it's all too easy to forget to consider what's most important to us. How should we lead our family as parents? Which goals or accomplishments are of the utmost importance?

Working together to set family goals provides space for both parents and children to express themselves. Understanding and empathizing with the perspectives of other family members is easier when we hear and understand their perspectives. We build family morale when we work as a team by fostering mutual respect and understanding.

Having a purpose is God's desire for you. 

While doing His work, remember not to neglect your own goals that define who you are. It’s great to be passionate about something and break out of your comfort zone.

Setting goals can be tough, so remember that mistakes are okay. God will always love you regardless.

For more on how to set goals, download the pray.com app in the iOS App Store or Google Play.