The 90 Minute Exercise That Can Define Your Entire Year
My dad taught me to write down my goals.
I'll be honest, as a teenager, I thought it was dumb. But he made me do it, and eventually, the practice of goal writing stuck. Over the years, I've watched this simple practice shape my life in ways I never anticipated. From navigating career changes, new ministry endeavors, enjoying meaningful experiences with family and friends, and even lower golf scores… the habit of annual review and goal setting has been one of the most powerful tools I’ve learned along the way.
For many years, my wife Tara and I have made this an important tradition during the week between Christmas and New Year's. We carve out time, often at a coffee shop, to reflect on where we've been and dream about where we'd like to go in the next year. It's become one of the most meaningful conversations we have every year. There's something powerful about looking back together and remembering what God has done, then looking forward together and dreaming about the future.
When my son Kadyn started playing basketball in high school, I passed the tradition down to him. His response of course was… "Dad, this is dumb." I smiled, remembering my own teenage thoughts, and told him to try it anyway. He reluctantly wrote down his goals that first year… everything from making varsity, being able to dunk, and the team winning their conference.
Fast forward to today… Kadyn graduated this past May from California University of PA where he spent three years playing NCAA Division II basketball. Something hardly anyone thought he would do during his high school career. But along the way, he kept writing goals. What once seemed "dumb" became the roadmap that helped him stay focused through injuries, setbacks, and the intense demands of being a student-athlete. He'll tell you now that goal setting was one of the most important habits that carried him through. He’ll also tell you he still writes goals today as he’s begun a new career in medical sales. (You’re welcome, son.)
// We're Hardwired to Plan
Did you know only 3% of people write down their goals? Yet, studies show you're 3x’s more likely to accomplish something when you write it down.
So why don't we write them down?
For most, it's simple laziness. For others, sometimes Christians, we can spiritualize it… "I'm just leaving it up to the Lord." We say we're being "Spirit-led," as if following God means we shouldn't prepare or plan.
But God is a planner.
The creation account in Genesis shows us a God who worked with intention, each day building on the previous one. The entire book of Leviticus is a detailed plan for worship and sacrifice. Moses received a plan to lead Israel out of Egypt. Joshua had a strategy for Jericho. Nehemiah developed a blueprint for rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. Jesus himself recruited and trained the disciples as part of accomplishing God's great mission.
The Bible is full of encouragement to plan…
"Commit your plans to the Lord, and your plans will succeed" [Proverbs 16:3]
"May he grant your heart's desire and make all your plans succeed" [Psalm 20:4]
Jesus told us to, "Count the cost" [Luke 14:28]
"Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity" [Proverbs 21:5]
Being Spirit-led doesn't mean drifting aimlessly. It means bringing our plans before God, seeking His direction, and then working with intention toward what He's calling us to do.
// The Power of Looking Back
Before you begin to map at where you’d like to go, you need to understand where you've been. This is why an annual review is just as important as goal setting, maybe even more so.
Looking back helps you see patterns you might otherwise miss. Where did God show up in unexpected ways? What drained your energy versus what gave you life? Which relationships deepened and which ones faded? What did you learn about yourself in moments of both success and struggle?
My good friend Doug Smith, of L3 Leadership, taught me a simple trick that's become invaluable… scroll through the photos on your phone from the past year. It sounds almost too easy, but it really works. As you flip through the images, birthdays, vacations, random dinners, work events, that amazing golf round, the memories will come flooding back. Moments you thought you'd forgotten suddenly become vivid again. You remember conversations, emotions, milestones both big and small.
This isn't just nostalgia. It's intentional reflection. It's asking, "What was God doing in my life this year?" When you take time to look back honestly, you gain clarity about what to carry forward and what to leave behind.
// Two Parts of Success
Writing goals is only the beginning. Here’s a familiar stat… 92% of New Year's resolutions fail by January 15th. Why? Because we don't connect longterm vision with short-term action.
You need both…
Long-term planning [annual goals]
Short-term planning [weekly execution]
Long-term goals give you direction. They answer the question, "What changes do I want to see in my life this year?" But without breaking those goals into weekly priorities, they remain just dreams on a piece of paper.
This is why I encourage people to set aside time each week (I do mine every Monday) to plan their week. Write down a list of the most important things to accomplish. Don't stress about getting them all done. The key is staying focused on what matters most.
// What Are You Aiming For?
As you head into this new year, I want to challenge you with a question:… What changes do you want to see happen in 2026?
Think about these areas…
Spiritual: What is God saying to you? Where does He want you to grow? What spiritual disciplines need attention: prayer, Bible reading, generosity, discipleship, rest?
Personal/Family: What relationships need investment? What does health of mind and body look like for you? What financial goals are you working toward? What experiences or trips do you want to create with your family?
Professional: Where do you need to grow? What do you need to learn to be more effective? What can you do that no one else can do?
The beautiful thing about goal setting is that it forces us to get specific. Vague dreams become concrete plans. Wishful thinking transforms into intentional action.
// Your Turn
I've literally spent years refining my own annual review and goal-setting process, you could say I’m a bit obsessive about it. This year, I've created a comprehensive guide that walks you through reviewing the past year and setting goals for the year ahead. It covers spiritual, professional, family, health, financial, relational, and personal growth goals, plus practical tools for quarterly planning, habit formation, and accountability. I not only use it personally, but share it with our staff and encourage them to do the same.
You can download it for free HERE. It's designed to take you about 60-90 minutes to complete, and it works whether you're in ministry, business, education, or any other field.
My hope is that this simple tool helps you live with greater intention and purpose this year. Because here's what I've learned through the many years of goal setting… the life you want doesn't happen by accident. It happens when you're clear about where you're going and committed to taking intentional steps to get there.
So grab a cup of coffee, find a quiet spot, and spend an hour investing in your future. Your future self will thank you.
Keep looking up,
Pastor Alan is the lead pastor of Allegheny Center Alliance Church. To find out more about ACAC, go here.
