This year, the development of our new planner took an unexpected turn, one that led to some profound personal discoveries. I was in the midst of what I thought would be a simple task: copying and pasting last year's goal page. Easy, right? But then I felt it--that quiet, gentle nudge from the Lord. It was subtle whisper, but one that held a series of surprisingly probing questions:
- "How many goals did you complete?" My honest answer? "Some."
- "Why is that?" I hadn't truly considered it beyond a vague notion of lacking discipline.
- "How does that often make you feel?" The answer was immediate and raw: "like a failure."
There I sat, so close to wrapping up the new planner, yet suddenly feeling a world away. A muddied feeling of conflict rose within me. The question, "Why is that?" kept replaying in my mind. Over the next few days, I dug deep, and what I uncovered was truly significant.
It's amazing how God shows up in surprising ways, gently guiding us toward personal growth. This pause, this divine intervention, was a gift. It forced me to confront not just the "what" of my uncompleted goals, but the "why" and the emotional impact.
I sat there for quite some time just staring at the word “goal” on my computer screen, I eventually realized the word itself carried a weight that I have always felt. For me, the word "goal" had inadvertently become laden with the weight of potential failure, far more often than it carried the promise of success. The first, and perhaps most surprising self discovery is that I genuinely do not like the word "goal." The word "goal" often implies a definitive end point—in this specific context, the end of the year. It feels rigid, either it happens or it doesn’t. It’s success or failure.
So I began to brainstorm words that might be a better fit. Words that are life giving and forward motion. Surprisingly, the word "intentions" resonated far more deeply with my perspective and aspirations. It carries a completely different and far more expansive feel; it's less about the rigid outcome and more about the ongoing process of achieving that goal, about consistently moving in the right direction over time. (Can I get an Amen for that!)
Why is this an important self-discovery?
Great question! Here's when the full clarity of my realization hit me: I can certainly have intentions to complete a goal, to strive with dedication and purpose. However, ultimately, God determines our steps, which means that the exact timing and even the complete fruition of that specific goal might not unfold precisely according to my human timetable. This distinction offered immense freedom and grace.
Consider the word "goal" for a moment. What feelings does it evoke? What strategies could help you cultivate a mindset that prioritizes progress-focused goal setting?
So how did this discovery influence our New Nurtured Faith Planner?
In our planners, we've chosen to use "intention" instead of "goal." This shift in mindset is designed to foster a sense of success throughout the different seasons of our year. Continuing to move us forward, faithfully following God's guidance, and remaining focused on what truly matters.
In today’s post we uncovered the first of four personal discoveries and maybe you found you resonate with it too? There is so much more good stuff to come, so stay tuned for our next blog post!
If you are joining us for the first time, head over to our website and sign up for our newsletters, to learn more about New Day Planners, LLC and receive a discount on your next purchase of a planner!