Getting Your Spiritual Life in Shape

Goals are important.  After all, if we don't have goals, how will we ever know if we've accomplished what we want to be and do in life?

1. Begin today's challenge by reading aloud each of the following statements.  After each statement, have family members answer whether it is true or not true in their lives.
• I set goals for myself, but I seldom ever reach them.
• I set goals for myself, and I almost always reach them.
• My goals in life are unclear.  I am not really sure what I want to do.
• My goals in life are well defined.  They are a priority for me and I work hard to achieve them.
• I know that goals are important, but I have a hard time figuring out what they should be or what steps I need to take to reach them.
• I've never set a goal in my life.
2. Here is an important exercise in goal setting.  Have each person get a piece of paper and write out a short-term goal and a long-term goal for each area listed below.  Note that short-term goals should be something that can be accomplished in one year, while long-term goals should take five to seven years to complete.  Then, most importantly, have members describe what they will do to act on those goals.
• spiritual goals
• relationship goals (family and friends)
• school or career goals
3. Have the family members share their goals.  Which goals in each section can they begin working on today?