Your goal is to run fast. You want to achieve your goal. Any questions?

I have 2:

1. How far? 1 kilometer? 10 kilometers? 100 kilometers?
   
2. How fast? 5 minutes per kilometer? 4 minutes per kilometer? 3 minutes per kilometer?

Get answers to these 2 questions, and you’ll have a clearer understanding of what you must do to achieve your goal. In other words, define achievement, and you’ll know what you need to do. If you don’t define achievement, you won’t have a clear picture of what to do. Consequently, you won’t be able to focus your energy with maximum effectiveness on achieving your goal. Nor will you be able to be certain when you’ve accomplished your goal.

And make sure your definition of achievement is specific, measurable, attainable, and relevant. For example:

• Instead of “run fast,” run 400 meters in 51.2 seconds.
  
• Instead of “plan better,” spend 60 minutes each Friday afternoon using calendar software to map out how to get next week’s goals done.
  
• Instead of “do better on e-mail,” download e-mail twice a day (11:30 and 4:00) and work on it a maximum of 30 minutes after each download.

Defining achievement is useful for you—and for your organization. For example, imagine you’re working at a school, and your school’s mission is “Equipping students to impact the world for Christ.” You want to achieve your school’s mission. Any questions? I have 2:

1. For a student to be equipped to impact the world for Christ, what must a student understand, be able to do, and value?
   
2. For a student to be equipped, at what level must a student understand, do, and value?

Or imagine you’re working for a missionary network whose mission is to “Network and equip members to make disciples for Christ.” You want to achieve your network’s mission. Any questions? I have 2:

1. How must members be networked and equipped and networked in order to make disciples for Christ?
   
2. To what degree must members be networked and equipped in order to make disciples for Christ?

Now, here are 2 questions for you to start answering today:

1. For your organization’s mission to be achieved, what must be accomplished?
   
2. For your organization’s mission to be achieved, to what degree must it be accomplished?

God has given you a mission. To achieve your mission (and your goals), start by defining achievement.