This is a process of testing your internal alignment towards a goal that you have. Each step will move you deeper into testing your internal convictions and assumptions about your goal. This is a rigorous exercise, so pick a goal that really matters to you and go as far into the process as you need.

Step 1

First take your goal and state it as a purpose statement.

The purpose of [doing  specific action w] is to [achieve x]  through [habit y] so that [ultimate outcome z]

The purpose of  [talking to God this morning] is to [have a close relationship with God] through [prayer] so that [I can live a divinely inspired life].

Step 2

Now, turn that purpose statement into a list of core assumptions:

1. [z] is the most important goal in my life
2. [y] is the best way to get to [z]
3. regular [y] will always produce [x]
4. [w] is the most effective way to [y]

[Living a divinely inspired] life the most important goal in my life

[Prayer] is one of the best ways to live a [divinely inspired life]

Regular [prayer] will produce a [close relationship with God]

[Talking to God each morning] is the most effective way to [pray]

Step 3

Take each one of those statements and rate it from high confidence (5) to low confidence (1). Write the number down immediately as this is a gut reaction. You will be tempted to change some numbers. Don’t change the scores. This should be quick.

____ (Value) This is the most important use of my time and energy

____ (Commitment) I take regular action, even when things get difficult, chaotic and uncertain.

____ (Results) I have overwhelming evidence that this produces significant results in my life.

This is a good way to shed a little light on your internal landscape around a specific goal that you have and spot some areas of internal inconsistency.

Example:

Step 4

Low Values question: what matters the most to you?

Low Commitment question: is there a way to do this that feels more natural/enjoyable to you?

Low Results question: what temporary experiment could you do that tests if this actually works in your life as promised?

Example Responses:

Low Values: what matters most to me is more of on internal pursuit of God rather than an external relationship. So prayer might not actually be the most effective spiritual habit for me.

Low Commitment: contemplation and introspection are more natural to me, but I know that is also part of my personality. It might be an interesting test to find a prayer practice that re-introduced a more personal interaction with Jesus again.

Low Results: just because I have not experienced a more personal relationship with God through prayer, does not mean it is not available to me. One test that I could do would be a week where I replace my morning contemplation time with some form of prayer or supplication, some external or vocalized practice that is meant to connect in a relational way to God. Each day I could journal and note if I feel a more personal interaction with God. If by the end of the week I felt the beginnings of a relationship, it might be worth continuing. The practice would have to be different from the ones I used growing up though, because I could never tell the difference between my own thoughts and feelings and the voice of God or the moving of the Spirit. Something that clearly created a clear distinction between my own spirit and the greater spirit that I am trying to relate to. But is it worth taking the time to do this or should I focus more on what is already working?