Summary

Have you ever set a goal with total excitement, only to have it crash and burn within two weeks? Most of us look at our failed goals and think, "I just don't have enough willpower." But the truth is much deeper. In this episode of the Arise, Women of God podcast, host Tamara K. Anderson joins Kari Anjewierden and Tiffany Fletcher to answer the question: Why goal setting fails (and how to align with God’s plan instead).

We move from the frustration of setting the wrong goals to the peace of following a divine roadmap. We discuss the "Lofty Trap"—why trying to jump from 0 to 100 is a recipe for disaster—and the crucial difference between building a "Cottage" (your vision) vs. a "Mansion" (God's vision). Tiffany shares her personal journey of overcoming the fear of starting a podcast by simply hitting record (baby steps!), while Tamara reveals the specific ways the adversary tries to "dam" your progress. If you are tired of constant failure, this episode will equip you with a "Don't Quit Emergency Kit" to cast out discouragement and find your momentum again.

Episode Takeaways

1. The Lofty Trap: Failure often comes from trying to jump from 0 to 100 mph (e.g., working out 6 days a week when you currently do 0). Success is found in incremental growth—going from 0 to 5, then 5 to 10.
2. Cottage vs. Mansion: Kari shares a powerful insight: "My vision is a cottage, but God's vision is a mansion." If your blueprints don't match God's, you will feel constant friction. Make God the CEO of your goals to ensure you aren't building the wrong thing.
3. Momentum is Key: Tiffany overcame the overwhelming goal of "Starting a Podcast" by breaking it down to just "hit record." Action creates momentum. You don't need to know the whole path; you just need to take the next baby step.
4. The Adversary's Dam: Discouragement isn't just an emotion; it's a tactic. The adversary wants to "dam" (stop) your progress. When you feel the mental battle of "you can't do this," use the specific protocol to cast him out and invite light back in.

Resources

Do you need a plan for when you want to quit? Download our FREE Guide to Goal Setting. It features the "Don't Quit Emergency Kit"—a specific protocol to help you cast out the adversary and get back on track. 👉 Download the Guide Here: https://www.womenwarriorsoflight.com/offers/WyaLn2gS/checkout

Need accountability? Check out our Women Warriors Accountability Group for free for two weeks! https://www.womenwarriorsoflight.com/join-now

Reflection Questions

1. Look at a goal you recently failed. Did you try to go from 0 to 100? How could you break that down into a 0-to-5 step?
2. Are you building a cottage or a mansion? Ask God today: "Are my blueprints aligned with Yours?"
3. When discouragement hits, do you view it as a personal failure or as a...

Summary

Have you ever started a goal with massive excitement, only to have a family crisis, illness, or flooded house make it feel impossible? Most of us quit because we interpret obstacles as a "stop sign" from God, when they are actually just a pivot point. In this episode of the Arise, Women of God podcast, host Tamara K. Anderson joins Wendi Christensen and Kari Anjewierden to answer the question: How to stay accountable to your goals when life falls apart.

We move from rigid perfectionism to flexible stewardship by exploring the "Messy Middle Mindset." Wendi shares her real-time experience of a home flood that forced her to pivot from organizing closets to gutting her kitchen—proving that sometimes God jumpstarts our goals in ways we didn't ask for. Kari explains why we must "Record the Miracles" even in the hardest weeks, and Tamara shares a personal story of losing her voice during a major deadline, which taught her the spiritual power of delegation. If you are ready to solve the pain of disruption-induced guilt and learn why your worth is not tied to your work, this episode will help you delegate, rest, and reward your way to the finish line.

Episode Takeaways

1. Expect the Storm: Obstacles are not "if," but "when." Like a tree that bends in the wind, your success depends on your ability to pivot, not your ability to stand rigid. Wendi’s flood didn't stop her goal; it just changed the timeline and method.
2. The Messy Middle: The middle of any project (like cleaning a pantry) looks worse than the beginning. Kari reminds us to expect the mess so we don't quit when chaos peaks. This is the prerequisite for the miracle.
3. The Power of Delegation: When Tamara lost her voice, she didn't cancel the podcast; she delegated it. Accountability sometimes looks like asking for help. Delegation isn't failure; it's empowering others to step up.
4. Rest is a Strategy: We often tie our worth to our exhaustion. But the Creation story teaches us: Work, Work, Rest. You cannot sustainably achieve any goal without scheduling rest. It is an act of faith to stop.

Resources

Are you trying to do too much? You need a "Not-To-Do List" to clear the clutter and make room for your actual mission. Download our FREE Guide to Goal Setting to get the exact template we use to prune our schedules. 👉 Download the Guide Here: https://www.womenwarriorsoflight.com/offers/WyaLn2gS/checkout

Need a community to help you pivot? Join our Accountability Group! https://www.womenwarriorsoflight.com/join-now

Reflection Questions

1. Think of a recent "obstacle" (sickness, car trouble). Did you view it as a stop sign or a pivot point? How would a "pivot mindset" change your reaction next time?
2. Are you currently in the "Messy Middle" of a goal? What is one miracle you have seen in the mess this week? (Write it down!)

Summary

Have you ever set a goal to better yourself, only to have a sudden crisis—like a sick family member or a flooded basement—pull the rug out from under you? Most of us abandon our goals the moment things get difficult because we think accountability means being perfect. But real growth happens in the pivot. In this episode of the Arise, Women of God podcast, host Tamara K. Anderson joins Wendi Christensen and Kari Anjewierden to answer the high-stakes question: How to hold myself accountable when life falls apart.

We move from the "all or nothing" trap to a resilient, mission-driven mindset. Kari shares the importance of "Pre-Planning for Distractions"—anticipating the adversary's attacks so they lose their power to stop you. Wendi opens up about a literal flood in her home and how giving herself permission to eat sushi and watch TV instead of cleaning was actually an act of spiritual strength, not failure. We also explore the Daniel Strategy, showing how Daniel and his friends stayed true to their mission in a foreign land by leaning on team accountability. If you are ready to stop measuring your "Gap" (failures) and start celebrating your "Gain" (progress), this episode will give you the crisis emergency kit you need.

Episode Takeaways

1. Pre-Plan for the Adversary: Distractions are guaranteed. If you plan for them (e.g., "If I can't find my shoes, I will do this instead"), they lose their power to derail you. Expect the mental chatter and have a rebuttal ready.
2. The Sunday Report: Accountability isn't just about checking a box; it's about reporting to God. Tamara shares how a weekly "Sunday Report" helps her celebrate the 4 days she showed up rather than shaming herself for the 1 day she missed.
3. The Flood Pivot: Wendi's story of her home flooding teaches us that sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is pause, eat cake, and rest. Resilience isn't about pushing through trauma; it's about pivoting with grace.
4. The Daniel Strategy: Daniel didn't stand alone; he had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Accountability is a team sport. When you are in a "foreign land" (a hard season), you need friends who share your values to help you stand firm.

Resources

Need a "Crisis Emergency Kit" for your mindset? Download our FREE Guide to Goal Setting. It features the "Don't Quit Emergency Kit" to help you pivot without giving up. 👉 Download the Guide Here: https://www.womenwarriorsoflight.com/offers/WyaLn2gS/checkout

Need a team like Daniel had? Join our Accountability Group! https://www.womenwarriorsoflight.com/join-now

Reflection Questions

1. What is one distraction the adversary usually uses to stop you? (e.g., "I can't find my shoes," "I'm too tired"). What is your pre-planned response?
2. Do you measure the "Gap" (what you didn't do) or the "Gain" (what you did do)? How would your week look different if you celebrated the "Gain"?