When I started my goal-setting journey (it's never a little thing for me,) I asked myself, "What do I want?"

That question gave me a bunch of ideas, but nothing was focused.  I felt rather selfish, too.  The idea popped into my head, "What if God doesn't want what I want?"

Hmmm.  How do I reconcile my desires with God's plan for me?

First, I think that God gave me some talents or gifts that He wants me to develop and use.  I've had some successes in certain areas of my life that lead me to believe that God wants me to use those gifts for Him. I've taken spiritual gifts inventories and have asked people that I trust.  They all agree that I have some specific God-given gifts.  I have been able to use those gifts in both the secular and religious realms. I have even made money with those gifts.  All those things tell me that these gifts from God are part of God's plan for me. 

So, now that I know I'm not just being selfish in wanting to achieve some things that I have been thinking about, how do I narrow down all the possibilities?  I'm thinking mostly about my writing now, but you could apply this process to anything:

1. I prayed to God to help me with this decision.  For me, it wasn't a formal prayer, but more of a "God, you know my heart.  Help me." kind of thing. I didn't spend hours praying or fasting, though I may do that in the future. I think hours of fasting and prayer can be very beneficial for something like this.
2. I read devotions and watched for Bible verses that "speak" to me.  Of course it all speaks to me, but I came across something at our church's Sunday Bible study that really popped out.  I felt like God was whispering it right into my ear, and it made me feel a bit anxious because it was so direct.  I'm also working through a book from Marlene Bagnull.  I plan to read more of my Bible to see what else pops out.  I may go to BibleGateway to search certain phrases as well.  My goal is to listen to God.  He has spoken to me through His written word, the Bible, so if I want to hear what He has to say, I need to listen to it (by reading it directly, reading about it, searching it, etc.)
3. I'm looking for peace and excitement.  Although I don't base my life on my feelings, I do use those God-given feelings to help me serve God better.  Jesus said that He brought peace, not the same kind of peace the world offers, but a peace for our eternal souls.  That peace will always be with me.  When I set a goal, and believe that God supports me and wants me to achieve it, I have a settle feeling that this is the right goal for me.  It's a feeling of peace.  I also have an underlying excitement that wells up within me.  It makes me motivated to start working on the goal today.  And, that excitement will keep me motivated for quite awhile, hopefully all the way to completion. 

If I make goals with these four processes (the first one is up in a previous paragraph) I can persevere and accomplish any goal I make. If God helps me set my goals, He will certainly give me everything I need to complete them.

Philippians 4:13   I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.