Every year I start off with a list of goals I want to accomplish. Some goals are personal like finally cutting my hair and getting bangs (didn’t happen)! There are other goals I create pertaining to my philanthropic and Ministry work. Towards the middle of the year I review what has been accomplished and what hasn’t and get a move on!  Finally, at the end of the year, I assess what has been done and evaluate where I missed it.

Now some people may think this is too organized and takes too much work. They are right! It does take organization and it does take work to have plans and goals for your future! Have you ever heard that phrase, “Those who fail to plan – plan to fail”?  If you do not have absolute confidence in the direction you are going, how can you know you are going in the right direction? Everyone has to have a goal for their lives. Does not matter their age, their social status, their education – get a plan.

If you haven’t already started thinking about some goals – now is the time to start! The first step is to write down what you want to accomplish. Get a journal or diary and do it today. Habakkuk 2:2 states “Write the vision and make it plain…” You cannot just think about your goals. Put those thoughts on paper so they can manifest into something real – something tangible. Most goals and plans fall into two categories:

• Must do plan – For example, your goal is to practice Law. You know in order to accomplish this you must finish your high school education, get accepted into college and graduate, pass the LSAT, and graduate Law School.  Maybe you want to open a new business, start a Ministry, write a book, etc. To reach any of these goals there are a series of “Must do” steps that must be completed.  What are your action plans? Research what it would take to accomplish this goal and get moving!
•  Would like to do plan – Maybe you always wanted to learn how to speak another language. What about that desire to finally learn how to swim? What is your plan to accomplish this? What is stopping you? Change your thought process. Don’t say you cannot do it but ask yourself how you can do it. Find resources that can help you.

Now that you have your plans written down and you researched what it will take to accomplish your goals – go for it. Although there may be times where you need to adjust the plan or start in a new direction – do not give up. Do not let anyone or anything stop you. Be a pit bull with this thing! I want you to be able to look back on your year and be proud of all you have accomplished!

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Nishaline Hines, Girls Plan Founder & Executive Director, started Girls Plan in 2004 to reach young women and empower them with information before they make decisions that affect the rest of their lives. A graduate of Liberty University, Nishaline is a native of New York with an extensive background in business management and corporate training. As a Lay Minister and Leader, certified through Beacon University, her education and work experiences are used to enhance each Girls Plan workshop. Her early childhood instruction and mentoring experience serves Nishaline well in reaching young women from all backgrounds. To schedule speaking engagements or for more information, visit http://girlsplan.org/request