Purpose: Setting Goals and Time Management
What is my
purpose and how can I fulfill it?
INTRODUCTION
You
have a divine mission to fulfill while you are here on earth. Goals can help
you to set a proper course and focus on worthy causes so that you can reach
your divine potential.
Elder
Marvin J Ashton said: “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.” (Ensign, Nov 1983, 61)
Prayer
and meditation are invaluable tools in discerning what Heavenly Father desires
you to do. Goal setting is a tool you can use to improve yourself as you seek
to become better and fulfill your mission in life.
A patriarchal
blessing is another invaluable tool given to us through inspiration to help us
along the path of life. Elder Joseph B Wirthlin taught: “You should look ahead
now and decided 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.” (Ensign, Nov 1989, 73)
When
you plan your life and use your time wisely, the Lord will bless and magnify
you to better serve in His kingdom.
POINTS TO PONDER
- Setting worthwhile goals gives
direction to my life and helps me as I strive to fulfill my own divine
mission.
- Prayer and fasting help me
discover and develop my talents and abilities. The goals I set assist me
in using those assets for good.
- Managing my time wisely gives me
control over my life so I can serve more effectively and grow spiritually.
SUPPORTING
SCRIPTURES AND QUOTES
Setting worthwhile goals gives direction to
my life and helps me as I strive to fulfill my own divine mission.
“For which of you, intending
to build a tower sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have
sufficient to finish it? (Luke 14:28)
“May we launch straightway toward setting goals that are gospel
oriented, knowing that if we use the talents that are ours – that if we help
others, strive for peace, avoid being overly sensitive or overly critical –
strength upon strength will be added unto our own abilities and we will move straightway
toward greater growth, happiness, and eternal joys.” (Marvin J Ashton, Ensign, May 1983, 32)
“By setting worthwhile goals and keeping your
eyes fixed on them, you will learn self-discipline and accomplish much.” (Ben B
Banks, Ensign, May 2002, 43)
“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… 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 or too low. Write down
your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance. Pray for
divine guidance in your goal setting.” (M Russell Ballard, Ensign, May 1987, 14)
“Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short- and
long-range goals. A man who is pressing forward to accomplish worthy goals can
soon put despondency under his feet, and once a goal is accomplished, others
can be set up. Some will be continuing goals. Each week when we partake of the
sacrament we commit ourselves to the goals of taking upon ourselves the name of
Christ, of always remembering him and keeping his commandments….Now there is a
lifetime goal – to walk in his steps, to perfect ourselves in every virtue as
he has done, to seek his face, and to work to make our calling and election
sure.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Do Not Despair, Ensign,
Oct 1986, 5)
Speaking of our mission in
life Elder John H Groberg stated: “A mission is living with purpose – whether
for good or bad.” (“Life Is a Mission,” Ensign, Jul 1980, 9)
Prayer and fasting help me discover and
develop my talents and abilities. The goals I set assist me in using those
assets for good.
“For all
have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man
is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is
given another, that all may be profited thereby.” (Doctrine and Covenants
46:11-12)
“We must
remember that every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right
and our responsibility to accept and to share them” (Marvin J Ashton, Ensign, Nov 1987, 20)
“We must recognize that our natural gifts and
abilities are limited, but when augmented by inspiration and guidance of the
Holy Ghost, our potential increases manifold. You need help from a power beyond
your own to do something extraordinarily useful… Remember that what we do in
life echoes in eternity.” (James E Faust, “It Can’t Happen to Me”, Ensign, May 2002, 47-48)
“Place the
Savior, His teachings, and His church at the center of your life. Make sure
that all decisions comply with this standard. This principle will see you
through periods of testing and growth. Upward growth occurs in cycles that
build upon each other in an ascending spiral of capacity and understanding.
They are often not easy, but they are always beneficial. As you walk the path
of righteousness, you will grow in strength, understanding and self-esteem. You
will discover hidden talents and unknown capacities. The whole course of your
life may be altered for your happiness and the Lord’s purposes.” (Richard G
Scott, ‘Making the Right Decisions’, Ensign,
May 1991, 34)
“Your strength and identity will come from honoring
your priesthood, developing your talents, and serving the Lord. Each of you
will have to work very hard to qualify for your eternal potential. It will not
be easy. Finding your true identity will… require all your strength, stamina,
intelligence, and courage.” (James E Faust, ‘Acting For Ourselves and not Being
Acted Upon, Ensign, Nov 1995, 46)
“In this prior life, this premortal existence…, we
developed various capacities and talents. Some developed them in one field and
some in another. The most important of all fields was the field of spirituality
– the ability, the talent, the capacity to recognize truth.” (The Gospel and
the Productive Life Student Manual, Religion 150, p.46)
Managing my time wisely gives me control over
my life so I can serve more effectively and grow spiritually.
“And see that all these
things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should
run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be
diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.” (Mosiah 4:27)
“Thou shalt not idle away
thy time…” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:13)
“Our house is to be a house
of order … Let us provide time for family, time for work, time for study, time
for service, time for recreation, time for self – but above all, time for
Christ. Then our house will be a house of order.” (Thomas S Monson, Building
Your Eternal Home, Ensign, Oct 1999,
5)
“Every Church leader has an
obligation to himself. He must get needed rest and exercise. He needs a little
recreation. He must have time to study. Every Church officer needs to read the
scriptures. He needs time to ponder and meditate and think by himself. Wherever
possible he needs to go with his wife to the temple as opportunity permits.”
(Gordon B Hinckley , Rejoicing in the Privilege
to Serve, Worldwide Leadership Training
Meeting, June 2003, 22-23)
“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” (John Longden, The
Gospel and the Productive Life, p. 20)
Ì
Managing our time and
finding balance in our lives can be difficult. But it is possible. The Lord has
told us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these
things shall be added unto you” (3 Ne. 13:33). The readers who sent
in their ideas agreed that things will fall into place if we prioritize
correctly. Here are some of their ideas on how to stay balanced:
• Keep the Sabbath day holy.
You might not think there are enough hours in the day to do all you need to do,
but remember Sunday is the Lord’s day, and He will bless you if you are
obedient.
• “Do not run faster or labor
more than you have strength and means … but be diligent unto the end” (D&C 10:4). Make the best use of the time you have, and
consider eliminating less-important activities.
• Ask for help. Turn to your
family, friends, or teachers if your load becomes unbearable and you don’t know
what to do.
• Pray for help. Heavenly Father
knows the pressures you are under, and He can help ease your burdens.
• In all your scheduling,
don’t book every minute of your day. Leave time for family, for service, and to
just relax and be yourself.
(Managing Time and
Staying Balanced,” New Era, Apr 2003, 39)
“Time flies on wings of
lightning, We cannot call it back, It comes then passes forward, along it’s
onward track. And if we are not mindful, the chance will fade away. For life is
quick in passing. Tis as a single day.” (Improve the Shining Moments, Hymns, no. 226)
“Wise time management is
really the wise management of ourselves.” (Spencer W Kimball, The Gospel and
the Productive Life, p. 20)
APPLICATION
· How
can setting goals help me to discover and fulfill my own divine mission in
life?
· What
skill or ability would you like to develop that you do not currently have? How
can involving the Spirit help you be more likely to acquire it?
· How
can developing your talents and abilities help you to draw closer to God, and
have the Spirit with you?
· How
might your patriarchal blessing help you to identify your talents?
· In
what way can you better manage your time so that you can be blessed with
greater spirituality and happiness?
· How
and why is the wise use of time an eternal concern?
GOALS AND IMPRESSIONS
Use
this space to set goals that will help you evaluate and concentrate on
discovering hidden talents and abilities that will help you fulfill your divine
mission in life. Record any notes or impressions you may have had as you
pondered the quotes and references above.
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SOURCES
· The
Standard Works
· The
Gospel and the Productive Life, Religion 150, 2004
· Teachings
of Presidents of the Church: Harold B Lee; Spencer W Kimball
· Conference
Ensigns and Church Magazines
· True
to the Faith – A Gospel Reference, 2004
· Finding
Peace Happiness and Joy by Richard G Scott, Published 2007
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