April 19, 2025 —

31 Flavors of Wisdom – Flavor #24: Goals, Activities and Skills

Flavor #24: G. A. S.  (Goals, Activities, Skills)

(Complete list and links to the 31 Flavors of Wisdom)

Meaning, essence, and significance? In The 31 Flavors of Wisdom, the “G. A. S.” framework: Goals, Activities, and Skills, offers a structured approach to personal development.  Here you simply ask yourself these three questions to help you create a plan of action to identify, work on, and build skills connected to your goals.  The questions are:​

Goals: What are the realistic, obtainable or envisioned goals you’ve set for yourself (or relationship)?

Activities: What targeted activities will you engage in to help you to reach your goals?

Skills: What skills do you envision obtaining due to your engagement in your goal-focused activity?

This triad emphasizes focused and intentional living, where your mindful choices lead to personal growth, achievement, fulfillment and of course, Wisdom (#1)!

Practical Appearance and Nutritional Value: Practically, G.A.S. integrates your aspirations, actions, and abilities. For example, to improve your emotional intelligence, you might set a goal to improve your Empathy (#6), which entails practicing active listening exercises, growing your Emotional Self-Awareness abilities, and of course learning and practicing activities to increase your Empathy index. The “nutritional value” of this approach helps you to create what Dr. Dan Siegel calls a “Triangle of Well-Being,”where your continuous participation in goal-directed activity increases your knowledgeability, confidence and skill, due to the dynamic interplay between your mind, brain, and relationships! 

Who deserves some of this seasoning?  “When someone I care about is undergoing a significant life transition, I can offer support by encouraging them to set clear, attainable goals that provide direction and purpose.  Engaging in activities aligned with their objectives allows us to work together toward achieving them. Additionally, sharing resources and facilitating opportunities to develop necessary skills empowers them to navigate their transition more effectively. By consciously applying this structured approach, I not only assist in their personal development but also reinforce my commitment to intentional living in this expression of ‘loving my neighbor as I love myself.’”

So thanks again for looking at these 31 Flavors of Wisdom and hopefully, participating in the 31 Day Wisdom Challenge, and for reading this excerpt from Cultivating Love: Wisdom for Life. As time permits, please visit the other blogs written by Dr. Ken McGill: Daily Bread for Life and “3–2- 5–4–24” for additional information that could be helpful.

Dr. Ken McGill, LMFT — Attachment Repair for Couples • Faith-Integrated Trauma Therapy in California • Healthy Adult Mode Therapy for High-Functioning Professionals. Dr. McGill provides attachment-focused therapy integrating psychology and spiritual formation for couples and individuals seeking structured growth, with telehealth available statewide in California and Texas and in-person sessions in Plano, TX. Learn more or schedule a session at drkenmcgill@live.com, www.drkenmcgill.com, or 972. 505. 6144.
 

Leave a Reply

Unknown's avatar

About Dr Ken McGill

Dr. Ken McGill is an ordained minister and has been involved in counseling for more than 25 years. Dr. McGill holds a Bachelor's degree in Religion from Pacific Christian College (now Hope International University), a Certificate of Completion in the Alcohol and Drug Studies/Counseling Program from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Dr. McGill received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Family Psychology from Azusa Pacific University in May, 2003. Dr. McGill's dissertation focused on the development of an integrated treatment program for the sexually addicted homeless population, and Ken was "personally mentored" by dissertation committee member Dr. Patrick Carnes, a pioneer in the field of sex addiction work. Dr. McGill authored a chapter in the text The Clinical Management of Sex Addiction, with his chapter addressing the homeless and sex addiction. Dr. McGill is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the States of Texas and California and Mississippi, and is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, through the International Institute for Trauma and Addictive Professionals (IITAP). Dr. McGill had a private practice in Glendora, CA (Aspen Counseling Center), Inglewood, CA (Faithful Central Bible Church), and Hattiesburg, MS (River of Life Church), specializing in the following areas with individuals, couples, families, groups and psychoeducational training: addictions and recovery, pre-marital, marital and family counseling, issues related to traumatization and abuse, as well as depression, grief, loss, anger management and men's and women's issues. Dr. McGill also provided psychotherapeutic treatment with Student-Athletes on the University of Southern Mississippi Football and Men's Basketball teams. Dr. McGill served as the Director of the Gentle Path Program, which is a seven-week residential program, for people who are challenged with sexual addiction, sexual anorexia, and relationship issues. Dr. McGill also supervised Doctoral students in the Southern Mississippi Psychology Internship Consortium with the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. McGill was inducted into the Azusa Pacific University Academic Hall of Honor, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences, in October, 2010. Dr. McGill currently works as a Private practice clinician with an office in Plano, Texas, providing treatment with people who are challenged in the areas mentioned above.

Latest Posts By Dr Ken McGill

Category

Daily Bread for Addressing Compulsion

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,