As we await the restart of our normal life, it’s a great time to re-evaluate our 2020 goals, as a few things might have changed since January 1.
While this time during the Coronavirus pandemic is hard, it is also temporary. We will get rid of this virus. Those who have lost their jobs will get new ones. Our economy will recover. Our retirement accounts will begin their rebound.
Remember, goals help us to live purposefully. This is as true during the chaos of a pandemic as it is during ordinary times.
Review March goals
If you’re using my 2020 Goal Planning Worksheets (you can sign up to download them here) or another goal planner, review your March goals, check off any you accomplished (big cheers!) and see if the others need to be added to April, dropped or postponed to a later month.
Give yourself grace if you didn’t accomplish something–life has definitely been turned upside down with Coronavirus.
Review 2020 goals & focus word
Now, let’s go back and review your goals for 2020. Do any of them need to be re-evaluated or replaced at this point? Only take goals off if they are completely unachievable or no longer relevant. We still have nine months in this year, so don’t give up a goal just because it doesn’t feel achievable at this weird time.
How about your focus word/verse/phrase? Can you see how God led you to that word or verse for this exact time? If you like changing your focus each quarter, now is the time to change it.
Set April goals
Now, let’s look ahead to goals for April. Knowing what we know at this point in time, think about what do you want to (and CAN) accomplish in April. Honestly, your top priority may be just surviving with your kids and spouse at home with you every day. Or, it may be accomplishing one of your 2020 goals because you have the time to do it.
Whether you are working a normal schedule, have been thrust into a frenzy with stay-at-home kids, are working around the clock or have been laid off, it’s important to keep setting and working toward goals. They may look A LOT different as you give yourself grace at this unprecedented time.
For most of us, our schedule looks very different these days. How will you use this gift of time wisely so that you won’t look back and have regrets? This doesn’t mean filling your day with to do’s and not enjoying some downtime, but it does mean thinking about your current schedule and being purposeful about how you spend the time.
Let’s look at our five goal categories:
*Relationships
Who can you connect with remotely? What are some ways you can use the time at home with kids to teach them some new things? How might you be able to help someone else? (See my recent post Helping From Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic for ideas.) What books might you be able to read with your kids?
*Self
How can you best care for yourself, within the limitations of this time? Do you want to try a new recipe each week? Place a time limit on social media? Go for a walk each day? Read your Bible or tackle your want-to-read list? Make more time for prayer each day?
*Work
What steps can you take to improve your job, whether you are a SAHM, employee, recent layoff, caregiver, etc.? If you do find yourself with extra free time, it’s a great time to learn a new job skill. Many universities or online learning sites are offering free classes. If you have been laid off, you may set a goal to find temporary employment.
*Finances
This will vary widely depending on your situation. If you are feeling financially strained, do you need to create a budget or cut expenses? You may need to pause paying extra on debt and stockpile cash to see you through the crisis. Dave Ramsey is offering Financial Peace University for free two-week trial–maybe it’s time to try that. If you are in a secure financial position, you may set a goal to give more generously than usual or invest in the stock market while it is “on sale”.
*Home
If you’re like me, you are creating to-do lists for yourself and your kids to get extra chores done at home. We have cleaned fans, dusted baseboards, vacuumed under sofa cushions and more. What can you realistically do this month? If you’re working around the clock as an essential worker, you may have no goals to be done at home this month.
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Remember, your goals should be realistic and S.M.A.R.T. Pray and talk to God about what he wants you to focus on for this month. Give yourself grace, but challenge yourself to make wise use of this weird time.
It’s a great time to rethink our priorities and the way we do things. It may be a great time to tackle goals that you always claim to “not have enough time for.” Likewise, it may be a great time to put our to do list on hold and focus on caring for our people in the best way possible.
Let’s keep up the good work of living a purposeful life, even amid a pandemic.
Lord, we thank you for being near during this difficult time. We earnestly seek you and your will for our life. Please guide us to use this time wisely. Help us reset our priorities so that we will love you and love others better. Amen.
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