Mr. Rod McNair: “Roles and Goals”
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Every week, we get caught up in daily activities, the projects we must complete, and the deadlines we are approaching. Because of this, our future goals can feel like they don’t fit into our schedule. They can feel unrelated to the present and intimidating alongside the lengthy to-do list we already have. To combat that, Mr. Rod McNair shared a goal-setting system with the Living Ed students that brings perspective and clarity. He called it “Roles & Goals.”
“Our Roles”
The first part of that system, Mr. McNair explained, involves identifying our roles in life, the various segments that compose it.
These generally include: personal, spiritual, family, professional, health, educational, social, and financial.
Under each of those major categories, we then must figure out the subcategories we fit into. For example, under “spiritual,” we identify as Christian. Under “family,” we may be a sister, brother, father, mother, etc. Below “professional,” Mr. McNair noted, we may be an engineer or, for some, a student. He emphasized, too, that being a homemaker fits under the category as well. Though undervalued as a career today, it is a worthy one to pursue.
Under each of those major categories, we then must figure out the subcategories we fit into. For example, under “spiritual,” we identify as Christian. Under “family,” we may be a sister, brother, father, mother, etc. Below “professional,” Mr. McNair noted, we may be an engineer or, for some, a student. He emphasized, too, that being a homemaker fits under the category as well. Though undervalued as a career today, it is a worthy one to pursue.
All of us, regardless, fit under “Educational.” It is not just for physical students, Mr. McNair pointed out. All of us are to continue learning throughout life, no matter our age. “Social” applies to us all, as do the remaining categories. Based on them, we can file specific goals and organize them into their own boxes.
“A Specific Time Frame”
We should also write out specific time frames to pair with the categories, periods that can separate long-term and short-term goals under them. They could be a lifetime, 5-10 yrs, 1-2 yrs, 3-6 months, and this week.
One example of a lifetime goal under “Spiritual” would be seeking the Kingdom of God. In 5-10 yrs, we can then make a goal to overcome certain weaknesses, like complaining or jealousy. Within 1-2 yrs, we could set a goal to become more spiritually grounded in the Bible. In 3-6 months, we may seek to grow closer to God; this week, we may start each day in prayer and plan a fast. Ultimately, each short-term goal builds toward the lifetime ones. Placing them under specific time periods makes them tangible; in this mapped-out space, we can reach for them. It connects tomorrow with today.
“No Guarantee”
Setting specific goals, however, does not guarantee we will be able to fulfill them. We can plan and act, but our life could change drastically in a few seconds. That doesn’t have to mean failure, though. It just means we may have to adjust our original goals accordingly.
Explorer Ernest Shackleton, for example, had his own plan to make it from sea to sea across Antarctica. Along the way, his ship, Endurance, sank, leaving both him and his crew in lifeboats over icy waters. By the end of his expedition, he did not achieve his original goal, but he did save his whole crew from death. He adjusted his priorities and found help on South Georgia Island, which was no easy feat.
“Onward to Growth”
At the end of the day, we, like Shackleton, should make physical, time-defined goals as well, shifting them if we must, just as he did. We can even create ones pertaining to aspects of our life that aren’t necessarily in our control, like marriage. God may look on them and help guide our life accordingly.
Most important to understand, though, is that setting and achieving these goals, as Mr. McNair declared, is “Not about perfection. It’s about growth and moving forward.” When we map out a goal, it brings us from standing still to taking our first steps. It gives us momentum.
So, this coming weekend, start planning out some goals. One exercise Mr. McNair gave students was to take each Sunday, split a piece of paper into the different roles we play. Then, within each, write an objective for the week. Begin with just that, and we will start the ball rolling. From just that, we will get closer to our long-term goals. By the end, that little task, if we act upon it, will multiply and lead to a life we could only imagine.
Author: Mary Wissinger | Living Education
