We’re just about a week into the New Year. This is usually the time when New Year’s resolutions are broken and guilt can set in, or perhaps with a sigh, we wonder if we will ever accomplish our deepest dreams. It also may be a little fuzzy as far as what we want our year to even look like.
In 1979, Harvard did a survey on the graduating MBA students. These were considered some of the top business graduates in the U.S. They asked them an interesting question. How many of them had clear, written goals? I would have assumed that the majority had. However, contrary to my assumption, they found that only 3% of the graduating MBA students had clear, written goals. 13% had goals but did not have them in writing. The remaing 84% didn’t have any goals. They followed up with the graduates 10 years later and what they found was astonishing. The 3% that had clear, written goals outearned all of the other 97% by 10 times. The 13% that had goals but not in writing, outearned the rest of the 84% by twice as much.
Reading the study, I was amazed at the difference of what goal setting does and how it greatly affects our future. As a believer I think it’s imperative that we don’t waste our days on this earth. I am challenged to live each day with intention and purpose with a clear focus on what’s important. My goals should always keep in mind an eternal perspective. What is most important for me to accomplish in light of eternity? What is my purpose on this earth and how can I be Christ’s hand extended?
Will I look back on my life at the end of this year and be satisified with how I spent my days?
