10 Principles for Success in Life - Lessons in Goal Setting

What I’ve Learned in 20 years of Goal Setting

1. If you don’t write it down – you probably won’t do it.

2. No intention and passion – no results!

3. Who is my inspiration?

4. Practical planning tools.

5. Thought life control.

6. Fall down – get back up.

7. Inch by inch it’s a cinch – yard by yard it’s hard.

8. Get information – knowledge is key.

9. Get a mentor - be a mentor.

10. Focus, focus, focus!

1. If you don’t write it down you have no road map! There is power in putting it to paper - or digital as I’m writing this. It makes it suddenly doable.

Write as if anything is possible and don’t try and figure it out. I’ve been on many mission trips around the world and didn’t know where the money was coming from or where I’d go.

2. Everything has to have intention and passion! It’s not "wishing and hoping" – it’s intention! Intention has a plan and follows through on it.

I had an intention to write a daily “Thought for Today” – Mon- Fri. It requires a lot of work. Some days I have to get up at 5 a.m to create the graphic and write the text. It’s not all glamour – it’s work! But I love doing it!

3. We all need inspiration! Who do you get your inspiration from? My inspiration comes from the Lord, from His Word and from my spiritual mentors and leaders. Some I know personally, some I get inspiration from YouTube.

I went to college in my 30's to get my Bachelor's degree. I took a college class on grant writing that became a stepping stone for starting a community television station in Faribault, MN. FCTV channel 10 was born from a class.

Behind that class was my passion for teaching people the Word of God – which came from mentors Pastor Tim and Cherrie’ Peterson. It’s important to have good mentors!

4. Practical planning tools are helpful in getting your stuff organized and useful. Maybe it’s a pen and a notebook or laptop and software. Whatever works and helps you reach your goal.

I use WORD on my Note 3 phone.( I had a Note 7 until they powered down my battery and finally kicking and screaming – OK, not really). I also use the Sketch application on my phone for creating the “Thought for Today” graphic.

Don’t be afraid to research and try new things. I LOVE creating art now on my phone. Who would of thought I would be doing that? Not me!

5. What are the thoughts you are THINKING right now in your head? What thoughts have you had in the past 5 minutes, hour, week, month, year? I can tell you what they have been. I just have to look at the FRUIT in your life. You’re eating the fruit of your thoughts and words you’ve been speaking. So am I - good or bad.

It wasn’t until I got control over my thoughts and words with God’s Word that my life started turning around. I depend upon the Lord and His Spirit to help me each day. What help He has been!

6. YOU WILL FALL DOWN - you will fail – it’s OK! It is the process of learning. We don’t get mad at a toddler when he falls down while learning to walk. Why? Because we realize he is learning.

You’ve never done the new things you’re about to do – so allow yourself the right to fall down and get back up again.

I have made some big mistakes in the past 30 years. The most painful was right after 2008 market crash. We lost income, had a mountain of debt and felt up against a wall. We filed for bankruptcy. It’s still painful to talk about. I had to move on. I learned some valuable lessons. It’s not profitable to beat yourself over the head. Move on, move up, but don’t look back!

7. Inch by inch it’s a cinch! Yard by yard it’s hard! This was my dad’s motto and I have made it mine. Whenever I get overwhelmed with a project, I remember to take one action, one step, work on one thing and I get it done. It keeps me focused, without overwhelming me.

My husband and I have started 3 churches. It’s a lot of work and if I wouldn’t of taken on one task at a time and worked on it inch by inch, I would of gotten overwhelmed and gave up.

8. With the Internet there is NEVER an excuse for ignorance! Research, research and research! Find out what you need to know to be successful. I watch Daniel Ally on YouTube for great practical and inspirational knowlegde for life and business success. http://www.danielally.com.

I recommend spending time on YouTube watching profitable information that can help you – if you want to reach your goals.

9. As I mentioned before, find a mentor and be a mentor. When you learn something from your mentor, share it with someone else. Be a mentor. Everyone needs a nentor. There is so much satisfaction in helping others reach their goals.

This past year, I had the privilege of helping launch 14 Bible schools in Mexico. For the past 3 years, I traveled on mission trips and lead people to Jesus. In one village, several ladies came to know the Lord, but had no one to mentor them. I felt compelled to help them.

From that purpose and passion came the idea for starting Bible schools with the International School of Ministry. Our church helped purchase the license for all of South America and now we are able to launch Bible schools all over Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras.

10. Focus, focus, focus. We all know how easy it is to start something. It’s focus that will get us to the finish line!

Whenever I’ve started something, whether it’s exercises, writing, starting a church, TV channel, a family – whatever, it requires focus! Focus is when we continually bring back our thoughts to the reason or "WHY" we are doing the project. Events, people and things will try and distract you, but discover your "WHY" and bring back yourself to it and FOCUS!

My "WHY": When I stand before the Lord one day I want Him to say, “Well done Linda, you’ve been a faithful servant, enter into My Joy!”

Until next time!

Sending you blessings and love!

Pastor Linda Cross

Christian Family Church of Lakeville

CFCLakeville.com