Another year is in the books. A new year awaits. The inevitable allure of New Year’s resolutions entices us to think about how we are going to be better, do better, get better. I went looking for facts about setting goals. Here’s what I found and why I think you should set goals for 2018…and that God will honor you for doing it.

Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University, discovered that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals simply by writing them down. If she is right (and I think she is), how should you go about it?

I recommend setting goals in 5 different areas of your life: health, spiritual, financial, relational and work. You may choose to do more or less depending on your age and stage in life. Think through 2018 and what you could realistically accomplish in these areas.

I also recommend looking at goals in two ways: process and outcome. For example, you may have a goal to lose 20 pounds. That’s an outcome goal. Your process goals might involve how often you exercise or how you eat. Both kinds of goals are necessary to achieve results.

I also like what Matt Mayberry (Entrepreneur.com) suggested. He called it a game-changer goal. Obviously this is a life-changing goal and shouldn’t be considered lightly. He recommends a full-blown action plan for a game-changing goal. I would add prayer and community. I’m convinced that game-changing goals cannot be accomplished without God’s and others’ help. Take your game-changing goal to your Life Group, your family, your close friends. Ask them to keep you accountable.

I’m excited to see how God is going to grow you in 2018!