Be sure to read all the way to the end for a special project!

Leaders don’t just come out of nowhere. Careful, concentrated effort steadily builds leaders. But is not simply the effort. Pondering and preparation are what preludes the performance.

Case in point:

Michael P. Farris, Esq.Michael Farris, founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) & Patrick Henry College, is a living testimony of one who pondered and prepared prior to performing. Few were probably present when Mr. Farris’ plans were drawn. But as with a rock dropped in the midst of a lake, the ripples of his impact continue to reach farther and farther. Today, this ministry is preparing the leaders of tomorrow as business owners, teachers, government leaders, students, and families are joining Mr. Farris in a world changing cause.

It began with a plan.

From the inspirations of such men as Michael Farris and with a desire for greater effectiveness, our family took two days over the New Year for family planning. Dad patiently lead us through the following 4 steps for wise family goal making.

The first requirement is to have a family vision through which all goals are filtered. Our family’s goal, based on Matthew 5:16, is to, "Live our lives in such a way so that others are drawn to Christ and God is glorified."

Second, outside our relationship with Christ, what are the top priorities within the family? 10-15 minutes were spent compiling a master list of the 10-15 categories of activities/circumstances our family is involved with. These were then rated in order of significance. This would prove to be the second filter.

Third, write out your personal goals for the year and divide them into the following 5 categories: Successful Person, Successful Proclaimer, Successful Provider, Successful Partner, & Successful Parent.

Fourth, select one goal and take it through the goal refining process:

1. Write out the Goal – does it fit into the family vision & top family categories?

2. Define Success – what would success in this venture look like? This is often where goals go to new heights.

3. Write out the resources that will be needed (be specific)

4. What people will you need to assist you (counsel, learn from, etc)?

5. What is the specific steps of action (dates, hours, blow by blow description)?

Through this simple process, everyone walked away with a couple (hopefully more to shortly follow) clear, concise, and achievable goals.

The Pondering & Preparing have taken place. Now comes the performance! Yet in all planning, it must never be forgotten that, "A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps (Prov. 16:9)." Goals, when submitted to the Lordship of Christ, will serve as signposts and guardrails to keep our sites ever fixed upon conforming into His likeness (Ps. 17:15). For their is no greater goal!

Project: No doubt there are many goals we have either written out or mentally made for 2009. What is one of your goals? Let’s encourage each other by writing one out!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 at 3:04 pm and is filed under Family News, Tid Bits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.