So many of the goals we set for ourselves are numerical and quantifiable.

In my church-world, we can end up measuring success by the ABC’s of attendance, buildings and cash. In your world, success may be determined by sales, results and scores. Productivity. Performance. Efficiency.

The problem is, for so many of us, success in these quantifiable goals can often be outside our control. The measurable assessment of our achievements can be influenced by world events, financial markets, the actions of others, even the weather!

So what if we changed our targets and the way we measure success? What if we set goals that are difficult to quantify, but are under our control?

I’m starting to think about setting ‘heart goals.’

It’s hard to measure these, but they place my success back into my hands.

Here’s the goals I’m thinking of setting:

I will live with a heart of courage.

I will live with a heart full of joy.

I will live with a humble heart.

I will live with peace in my heart.

I will live with a heart that overflows with love.

I will live with a heart of patience.

If these become my new goals, it may be difficult to measure how successful I am. There’s no spreadsheet that catalogs the development of humility in my heart. But since my God is a ‘heart God’ and He intentionally ‘looks at the heart’, I’m sure He’ll be cheering me on to achieve them even if my progress is slow.

And so, who determines the health of my heart?

I do.

And who is responsible for achieving my heart goals?

I am.