Simple Manifesto #46 – Simplify your goals

This is part of our series on The Simple Living Manifesto. We invite you to join us on the journey.

The 46th idea in the manifesto is:

Simplify your goals. Instead of having half a dozen goals or more, simplify it to one goal. Not only will this make you less stressed, it will make you more successful. You’ll be able to focus on that One Goal, and give it all of your energy. That gives you much better chances for success.

109/365 Goals | Photo by Vinni

A while back, I put together a simplicity statement:

I will live simply by investing in people and reducing my dependence on stuff so that I may truly love all that’s been given to me and create a better world for those around me.

While this is a great mission/simplicity statement, it may be a bit lengthy to serve as a single goal for my life.

I’m also not sure it includes everything I feel passionate about.

Simplicity is definitely a great goal — but it’s not the whole of me.

So as I think about my life, my goals, my aspirations, and the things that matter most in my life, I’m drawn to borrow a phrase from my community of faith…

Build spaces of grace. Create intentional relationships. Share relevant truth.

This has been a goal of our community since day one and it’s something I’ve adopted as my own.

Whether it’s in my marriage, meeting with guys during the week, blogging here or blogging elsewhere, writing books or just working my 9-5, this is my ultimate goal.

Build spaces of grace.

Create spaces where people are welcome
Where people are loved
Where your past is not held against you
Your present is not held against you
A space where we’re focused on a better future for everyone

Create intentional relationships.

Relationships don’t just happen over night
They take time
They take someone stepping out and being vulnerable with another
They take a willingness to love others
Even the unloved
I’ve found the Intentional Challenge (aka community fertilizer) to be a great help in this regard

Share relevant truth.

Truth can be used against people, or for people
Sometimes it can be used in very hurtful ways
My hope and dream is that whatever I’m doing, I’m sharing truth that matters to that person and that moment
And not only relevant truth — but sharing it in a loving, gracious manner
Telling someone the benefits of a simple life may be wonderful — but it’s not always relevant to a person’s needs
The only way you can truly share relevant truth with someone is if you’ve built a space of grace and been intentional about building relationships within it

I have to admit, while this goal may look simple, it really isn’t.

It takes time, effort, sometimes stress and tears to live out.

But I’m also a big believer that Love Wins.

And in the end, the effort is well worth it.

So what about you? What are your goals? How can you simplify them down to one?