young people ask
How can I reach my goals?
WHICH of these three things would you like to achieve?
● More confidence
● More friends
● More happiness
The truth is you can get it all. How? Very simple, proposing it. Think about the following:
More confidence If you set small goals for yourself and achieve them, you will have more confidence to undertake larger projects. You’ll also find it easier to deal with everyday challenges, such as withstanding peer pressure. In turn, others will notice that you are more sure of yourself and will respect you more. Some may apply less pressure; they may even begin to admire you (compare Matthew 5:14-16).
More friends Everyone likes to surround themselves with people who know what they want and are willing to fight for it. So when others like your goals, they often become members of the support team you need to achieve them (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10).
More happiness Speaking clearly: it is not fun to sit around waiting for life to surprise you. But when you set goals for yourself and achieve them, you feel satisfied. No wonder the apostle Paul, a first-century Christian, once said, “I do not run without a goal” (1 Corinthians 9:26, God’s Word for Everyone). And remember, the bigger the goal, the greater your satisfaction when you reach it.
Are you ready to start? Then, cut and fold the page on the right and follow the steps that we indicate.*
Find more articles from the “Youth Ask” section at www.watchtower.org/yps
These recommendations are designed for goals that you can achieve in a few weeks or months, but the same principles will serve you for others in the long term.
TO THINK
● Is it possible that you have too many goals at the same time? (Philippians 1:10.)
● Do you have to plan every minute of your life just because you have set goals? (Philippians 4:5.)
How to reach your goals
choose them Proverbs 4:25, 26 1
“Don’t be afraid to set ambitious goals. If others have achieved them, you can too.” (rob)
1. Set future goals. Have fun doing it. Don’t stop to analyze them; he writes down as many ideas as come into your head. See if you can think of at least ten or twenty.
2. Evaluate your ideas. Which ones are more attractive to you? Which ones are more challenging? Which one would make you especially proud if you got it? Remember: the best goals are the ones that have the most meaning for you.
3. Set priorities. First, choose short-term goals that you can achieve in a few days. Then, other long-term ones (reachable in a few weeks or months). Put them in order of priority.
examples
Friendship. Have a friend who is not my age. Pick up an old friendship.
Health. Exercise ninety minutes a week. Sleep eight hours a day.
Studies. Improve my math grades. Not letting myself be persuaded by others to cheat on exams.
Spirituality. Read the Bible fifteen minutes a day. Talk about my faith to a classmate.
plan them Proverbs 21:5 two
“Having goals is great, but you need a plan to achieve them. Otherwise, they will always be goals and never achievements.” (Derrick)
Do the following with each goal you set for yourself:
1. Write it down.
2. Set a deadline. A goal without a deadline is nothing more than a dream.
3. Plan the steps you are going to take.
4. Anticipate obstacles. Think how to overcome them.
5. Take it seriously. Promise yourself that you will do your best to get it, and put it in writing. Now sign your statement and date it.
Learn English for my trip to New York on July 1
Steps
1. Get a phrasebook.
2. Learn ten words per week.
3. Listen to others speak English.
4. Ask someone to correct my grammar and pronunciation.
Possible obstacles
No one around here speaks English.
how to overcome them
Download recordings in English from www.jw.org.
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Signature Date
Let’s do it John 13:17 3
“Goals can easily remain good intentions, so don’t lose sight of them, but keep moving forward.” (erika)
Start right away. Ask yourself, “What can I do today to move toward my goal?” Sure, you may be missing details in your plan, but don’t let that put you off; start as soon as possible. As the Bible says, “waiting for perfect weather will never allow planting; and believing that it will rain all the time will prevent the harvest from being gathered” (Ecclesiastes 11:4, God’s Word for Everyone). Find something you can do today, no matter how small, and do it.
Review your goals daily. Keep in mind how important each one is. Check your progress by ticking ✔ (or putting the date) next to each step forward.
Be flexible. No matter how good the plans are, they may need to be tweaked along the way; It is normal. Don’t worry if you don’t stick strictly to your plan. Keep progressing towards the final goal.
Use your imagination. Imagine achieving your goal and savoring success. Think about the steps you will have to take to get there. Finally, imagine reaching each intermediate goal and how happy you will feel when you reach the final goal. Now get to work.
Goals are projects: you have to work to turn them into reality
WHAT OTHER YOUTH THINK 4
“It’s easy to get discouraged if you have nothing to look forward to or focus on. But if you set goals for yourself and achieve them, you feel accomplished.” (red)
“Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve your goals perfectly or in the time you set for yourself, because it won’t do you any good. Keep trying!” (Cory)
“Talk to those who have achieved the same goals that you have set for yourself. They will encourage you and give you useful advice. Also, talk to your family about your goals so they can be part of your support team.” (Julia)
(To see the text in its original format, see the post)
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Source: Awake!