This New Year’s Goal? Bridge Building!

I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “New Year’s goals?  I haven’t even cleaned up the last of the wrapping paper from Christmas!”  But bear with me, I’ll be kind.

I have been thinking a lot about goals lately and how people succeed or fail in reaching their goals.  Having a goal is a great thing, however I recently read a quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that says, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

So how do we go from having a great vision or goal to actually accomplishing it?  I am a huge fan of the one step in front of the other approach.  I recently called this “bridge building” in a conversation I was having.  I was not thinking of a huge bridge like the Golden Gate, but more like a rock path across a waterway that is just a little too deep to wade.  I pictured each step as a rock you place one at a time in front of you, as you move toward your goal on the other side.

The really great thing about doing things a step at a time is the momentum effect.  You may only be making one step at a time, but those steps have a way of adding up until all of a sudden you are much farther along than you even realized.  Take the example of saving up for something you want to purchase.  It may not seem like a lot at first to put one dollar in an envelope, but before you know it, if you keep taking a step at a time, suddenly it is time to go shopping!

I would encourage you in these last few days of the year to allow yourself to dream a little.  What are some goals you would like to achieve this next year?  After you figure out where you want to go, just take the first step.  Congratulations!  You are one step closer to your goal.  Remember, bridges aren’t built in a day, but by continuing to put down one “rock” at a time you can achieve amazing things this year.

I can’t wait to hear about some of your goals and how you plan to reach them this year!

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.”  Psalm 37:4-5