Dreams become reality when you write them down and make a plan
A goal without a plan is just a wish. But a written goal with specific steps becomes a roadmap to your future. Don't just dream – plan, act, and achieve.
Goals give your money PURPOSE. Without goals, money comes in and money goes out without meaning. With goals, every dollar has a job moving you toward your dreams.
Research shows that people who write down their goals accomplish 42% more than those who only think about them. Why? Written goals engage different parts of your brain and create a psychological commitment.
Not all goals are created equal. Vague goals rarely get achieved. SMART goals have the highest success rate:
Specific: Exactly what do you want to achieve?
❌ Bad: "Save money"
✅ Good: "Save $1,000 for emergency fund"
Measurable: How will you track progress?
❌ Bad: "Save some money each week"
✅ Good: "Save $20 every Friday"
Achievable: Is it realistic given your situation?
❌ Bad: "Save $10,000 in 1 month" (on $500/month income)
✅ Good: "Save $1,000 in 12 months" ($85/month)
Relevant: Does it align with your values and priorities?
❌ Bad: Saving for expensive car when you need education funds
✅ Good: Aligns with your actual life goals
Time-bound: When will you achieve it?
❌ Bad: "Save $1,000 someday"
✅ Good: "Save $1,000 by December 31, 2025"
You need ALL THREE types! Short-term goals keep you motivated with quick wins. Medium-term goals give you something meaningful to work toward. Long-term goals ensure your future security.
My friend Jordan wanted to see their favorite band in concert. Tickets were $150, but Jordan only had $20 saved.
Action Steps:
The Lesson: Jordan achieved the goal because it was SMART and had specific action steps. Vague "I hope I can go" wouldn't have worked. Clear plan + action = success!
Big goals can feel overwhelming. The secret is breaking them into smaller pieces:
Sounds impossible? Let's break it down:
Suddenly "$5,000" becomes "skip one $3 coffee per day." Much more manageable! Same goal, different perspective.
For any big goal, create milestones at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%:
Goal: Save $2,000 for car
Celebrating milestones keeps you motivated and makes the journey enjoyable, not just the destination.
Written goals are 42% more likely to be achieved. Don't just think about goals – write them down where you'll see them daily.
Use the SMART framework. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound goals have the highest success rates.
Balance short, medium, and long-term goals. Short-term goals keep you motivated. Long-term goals secure your future. You need both.
Break big goals into small steps. Any goal becomes achievable when broken into daily or weekly actions.
Celebrate milestones along the way. Don't wait until the end to feel good about progress. Small celebrations fuel continued effort.
"Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it."
— Habakkuk 2:2
God instructs us to WRITE our vision down clearly! This isn't just good advice – it's a biblical principle. Written goals create clarity and urgency. They transform vague wishes into concrete plans that can be acted upon.
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
— Proverbs 16:3
Notice it says "your plans" – God expects us to make plans! He doesn't want us passive, waiting for things to happen. We plan diligently, then commit those plans to Him, trusting Him to guide and establish them.
Write one short-term (this year), one medium-term (1-5 years), and one long-term (5+ years) financial goal. Make them SMART. Put them where you'll see them daily.
Take your short-term goal and break it down into monthly, weekly, and daily actions. Use the calculator at marks.money to figure out exactly how much to save per month.
Create a progress chart or thermometer for your main goal. Color in progress each time you make a step forward. Put it where you'll see it every day.
Tell one person you trust about your main goal. Ask them to check in with you monthly. Accountability increases success rates dramatically!