The beginning of a new year can be exciting! It’s a great opportunity for family time, parties, good food, and … setting goals. Many people love setting New Year’s resolutions and goals to be better in the coming year.
There are so many different ways to set goals. Sometimes people set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound goals. Other times people choose to pick a single word to set as their intention for the calendar year—a word like “growth,” “simplify,” “positivity,” or “balance” that can shape their actions and aspirations for the next 12 months.
But no matter your approach to the new year and goal setting, it can be terribly frustrating to set goals and then not achieve them. There is no single right or wrong way to make a goal, but we compiled a list of quotes from prophets and Church leaders that might just change your approach to setting and achieving goals. Here are a few of our favorites.
Remember to be Grateful First
On New Year’s Day, President Russell M. Nelson shared a heartfelt tribute to a few things that he personally marvels at and rejoices over—the Restoration, the faith of Latter-day Saints around the world, the plan of happiness, and the miracle of Jesus Christ’s birth, life, ministry, mission, and more. It’s a great reminder that whatever goals we may set, we can and should also make space to marvel and rejoice at the blessings we’ve been given.
Where to Begin
“First, think about your life and set your priorities. Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. Jesus, our exemplar, often ‘withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed’ (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did. Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants you have made with the Lord as you write down your daily schedules.
Second, set short-term goals that you can reach. Set goals that are well balanced—not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance. Pray for divine guidance in your goal setting.” —President M. Russell Ballard, “Keeping Life’s Demands in Balance”
“Marathon runners set explicit goals. You should look ahead now and decide what you want to do with your lives. Fix clearly in your mind what you want to be one year from now, five years, ten years, and beyond. Receive your patriarchal blessing and strive to live worthy of its promises. A patriarchal blessing is one of the most important guides in life that members of the Church enjoy. Write your goals and review them regularly. Keep them before you constantly, record your progress, and revise them as circumstances dictate. Your ultimate goal should be eternal life—the kind of life God lives, the greatest of all the gifts of God.” —Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Running Your Marathon”
What Goals to Set
“Accomplish personal goals in each of four categories:… spiritual development; physical development; educational, personal, and career development; and citizenship and social development.” —Elder Robert D. Hales, “Fulfilling Our Duty to God”
“In setting our own goals we need to examine our own needs and abilities. The direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the moment. Goal setting should cause us to stretch as we make our way.” —Elder Marvin J. Ashton, “The Word Is Commitment”
How to Achieve Your Goals
“The goals you set are for you. Heavenly Father will direct you as you ask in faith. Start simple, but be intentional in your goal setting. Determine specific steps to do each day to help you achieve your goal. Don’t just say, “Well, I’m already doing something, so I’ll just count that as my goal.” Rather than having a checklist mentality, remember that the experience of making and keeping goals will help you become like the Savior. No two people will have the exact same experiences or even have success with the same methods.
Adjust if you need to, and counsel with trusted friends, family and Heavenly Father often (Alma 37:37). We are beloved sons and daughters of God. He is not looking for perfection; He is looking for improvement. As you strive to become like Him and His Son, seek and act upon personal revelation, cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day.” —President Bonnie H. Cordon, “Goals Are The Process of Becoming Like Jesus Christ”
“To reach a goal you have never before attained, you must do things you have never before done. Don’t confront your problem armed with only your own experience, understanding, and strength. Count on the infinite power of the Lord by deciding now to be obedient to His teachings.” —Elder Richard G. Scott, “Finding the Way Back”
“When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming. As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be.” —Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Regrets and Resolutions”
“I feel that goal-setting is absolutely necessary for happy living. But the goal is only part of the desired procedures. We need to know which roads to take to reach the goal. In many cases we set far-reaching goals but neglect the short-range ones. With such short-range plans, we need self-discipline in our actions—study when it is time to study, sleep when it is time to sleep, read when it is time to read, and so on—not permitting an undesirable overlap, but getting our full measure of rewards and blessings from the time we invest in a particular activity.” —Elder John H. Vandenberg, “Commitment to High Goals”
When You Need Motivation To Keep Trying
“Please don’t nag yourself with thoughts of failure. Do not set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know, and the Lord will accept of your effort.” —President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Rise to the Stature of the Divine Within You”
“There are more things to do in life than time available in which to do them. That means choices need to be made. Choices are often facilitated by asking well-focused questions. Some may be thoughtfully tendered in prayer.” —President Russell M. Nelson, “I’ll Go, I’ll Do, I’ll Be”
“Mere ‘busyness’ is not necessarily evidence of the wise use of time. There should be time for mental and spiritual development as well as relaxation: time for worship and time to express our thankfulness for our ability to work, and think, and pray, and read, and help, and dream, and laugh, and plan, and learn.” —Elder John Longden, “Time Is of the Essence”
“The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity. You are never too young to learn, never too old to change. Your yearnings to learn and change come from a divinely instilled striving for eternal progression. Each day brings opportunity for decisions for eternity.” —President Russell M. Nelson, “Decisions for Eternity”
