Week 2: Your Personal Growth Plan (10.12.2026)
Podcast: Pursuing Goals God’s Way
Episode: “7 Steps to a Goal Strategy That Actually Works”
Description: Gabe breaks down seven simples steps to crafting a personalized goal strategy that will keep you motivated and on track.
Discussion Questions:
- What is one area where you’re actively growing?
- What part of Gabe’s growth plan resonated most with you?
- What obstacles keep you from prioritizing personal growth?
- How can you build intentional growth rhythms into your schedule?
- What small step will you take this week toward your growth plan?
Personal Development Plan Assignment 2
Core Values Discovery, Part 1
- Theme: What matters most?
- Scripture for Reflection: Matthew 22:37–39; Micah 6:8
- Prayer Focus: Ask God to reveal non-negotiables in your life and leadership.
- Exercise: Brainstorm a list of 10–15 personal values (e.g., integrity, generosity, excellence, family, faithfulness). Circle the top 5.
Required Reading
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Section 2: The 1st Law (Chapters 4-7)
THE HABITS WE DON'T EVEN NOTICE
Chapter 4
Many of our habits operate almost automatically. We've repeated certain behaviors so frequently that we barely notice them anymore.
Clear argues that awareness is the starting point for meaningful behavior change. We can't intentionally change what we don't recognize.
Discuss
- What are some habits you've developed that you rarely think about anymore? How have they shaped your daily life?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to recognize our own unhealthy habits, even when they're obvious to others?
- Chapter 4 introduces the idea of a Habits Scorecard. How might evaluating your daily routines help you identify patterns that are helping or hurting your growth?
- What is one habit or behavior you've become more aware of recently that you would like to change?
Consider
As leaders, our habits don't just affect us. They affect the people we influence.
Are there behaviors you've normalized in your life that might unintentionally undermine your leadership or relationships?
TURNING GOOD INTENTIONS INTO ACTION
Chapter 5
Most of us have good intentions. We want to grow spiritually, become better leaders, invest in relationships, and develop healthier rhythms.
But good intentions don't automatically translate into action.
Clear introduces two strategies for making habits more intentional:
Implementation Intentions: Deciding specifically when and where you'll perform a behavior.
Habit Stacking: Connecting a new habit to something you already do consistently.
Discuss
- Why do you think vague intentions like "I need to pray more" or "I want to be more disciplined" so often fail to produce lasting change?
- Have you ever successfully built a new habit by connecting it to something you were already doing? What made it work?
- How might habit stacking help you become more consistent in an area of your spiritual life or leadership?
- What is one habit you've been wanting to develop that could benefit from a more specific plan?
Put It Into Practice
Complete one of these statements:
Implementation Intention:
I will __________________ at ____________ in __________________.
Habit Stacking:
After I __________________, I will __________________.
Share your answer with your group. Help one another make the plans realistic and specific.
DESIGNING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR GROWTH
Chapters 6–7
We often assume that successful people simply have more discipline or willpower than everyone else.
But Clear makes a compelling argument that our environment has an enormous influence on our behavior.
Rather than relying entirely on motivation, we can intentionally design environments that make good habits easier and bad habits less likely.
Discuss
- How has your environment influenced your habits, either positively or negatively?
- Clear argues that people who demonstrate strong self-control are often better at avoiding temptation rather than resisting it. Do you agree? Why or why not?
- Think about your physical environment, digital environment, and relationships. What cues are currently encouraging habits you'd rather eliminate?
- What changes could you make to your environment that would make a desired habit more obvious or an unwanted habit less visible?
- As a leader, how can you create environments that encourage healthy behaviors in the people you lead?
Consider
Every environment encourages certain behaviors and discourages others.
Think about a team, ministry, workplace, or family you influence.
What behaviors does that environment naturally reinforce? Are those the behaviors you actually want to cultivate?
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Take a quiet minute to reflect and write before sharing with your group.
AWARENESS
One habit or pattern I've become more aware of in my life is...
INTENTION
One habit I want to intentionally build or change is...
ENVIRONMENT
One practical change I can make to my environment that will help reinforce this habit is...
ACTION
This week, I will...
Share your answers with the group.
As you listen, help one another identify practical next steps. Remember that meaningful change doesn't always require dramatic action. Sometimes it begins with something as simple as changing your surroundings, adjusting your schedule, or removing a distraction.
EN 
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