The Key Ingredient to Goal Setting: Advice from King Solomon and some guy named Marcel
Read Time / 3 Minutes
Theme / Faith & Finance
Let me start off by saying, “Matt, I’m sorry.”
At the beginning of the year, I prayerfully wrote down goals in 7 areas of life. You know!? new year, new me… Anyway, under a category I labeled “social,” I made a commitment to recording drum parts to one new song a month. My music producing friend — let’s call him Matt — was going to be the beneficiary of these said, “drum parts.” Needless to say, this goal was left incomplete and my friend, Matt, picked up tennis.
Sometimes, I wonder if I am the only one who can make a goal and struggle with the follow through.
Thankfully, the research is comforting. In fact, according to the University of Scranton, 92% of people never achieve their New Year’s goals. Marcel Shwantes, an executive coach, writes on this topic and shares helpful pointers on how to set goals you are more likely accomplish. In my humble opinion, the most crucial element he suggests is to align all of your goals. What does that mean? Your short-term goals — like creating drums parts monthly — if actually completed, should contribute to the success of what you want to accomplish long-term — like becoming Ringo Starr’s successor. In the Christian world, we have a fun word for this idea — integrity. So, Marcel, if you don’t mind, I’d like to offer new wording for your consideration — instead of align all your goals, let’s think about putting it this way — make your goals integral.
Integral means essential to completeness, according to old reliable Merriam-Webster. So, if we desire to have goals to work toward, and we’re sick and tired of poor follow through — I know I am — it could be wise for us to consider how integral are our goals.
As a Christ follower, my long term goal is to be more like Jesus — or, at least, it should be. So, as I set goals around finances, I desire to heed the words of Scripture when it says to:
Give. It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35b). So, I walked into 2024 with goals around giving.
Eliminate Debt. The borrower is slave to the leader (Proverbs 22:7b). I’ve also made goals around paying off my house.
Save. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it (Proverbs 21:20). You betcha! I made some savings goals.
Invest Biblically Responsible. While the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) implies we should be productive with everything God has given us (including money), a law in Deuteronomy (23:18) and reason suggests the Lord cares about how we seek a return in the market place — think of a company that works on a cure for a childhood disease while another company manufactures abortion drugs. Both can generate a profit, but by very different means. So, as an investment advisor, you know I nerded-out making goals around investing and how to do that in a way that seeks to glorify the Lord.
While I don’t know Mr. Schwantes relationship standing with the Lord, his insight echoes the timeless Wisdom of Scripture communicated through Solomon, “whoever walks in integrity walks securely (Proverbs 10:9a).”
Matt, what you are about to hear is not going to be encouraging. I don’t have a strong desire to become the next Buddy Rich. I have directed my efforts to other goals, and, as I result, I have neglected our project. Please forgive me.
My hope is Matt’s so busy improving his continental grip he doesn’t notice.
Ryan De Amicis
Wealth Advisor
408.758.6413
ryan@christianwm.com
