Setting and Achieving Goals

As we near the New Year many of us are thinking about setting and achieving goals. But how? Where do we start? What methods should we use for setting and achieving these goals? After much research and over-thinking, I have realized there doesn’t seem to be one right answer.

Support, Accountability, and Motivation

These are the pieces I need to be successful when setting my goals. That is why I feel so blessed to be part of this Monthly Goals Link Up with 9 other amazing woman. Each month we will link to our goals and our progress on those goals. Being part of this group will enable me to not only set my goals, but know that I have a support system to help me achieve them.

Goals have always been a part of who I am. As a teacher I used to set goals for myself, my students, and the schools I worked for. As an individual I have set goals for my learning, my connections, and my achievements. Lastly, as a mom, I have set goals for my children, my home, and my family as a whole.

So setting goals now should be a breeze for me, right? Wrong. I tend to over-think, over-plan, and over-analyze. So I have to decided to take this opportunity to set some …

Ground Rules for my Goal Setting

Be Specific:

Clearly set what changes I want to see. Example: Instead of “Be Healthy” I might say “Be physically active at least 5 times a week.”

Be Realistic:

If I set goals that are not reachable I will get discouraged. Example: Instead of “Take over the world” I might say “Take control of my household.”

Be Honest:

I have to be honest with myself, my friends, my family, and this group. This will keep me accountable for the goals I set and allow me to get support where support is needed. What is keeping me from achieving the goals I set?

Don’t Compare:

It is great to get ideas, but everyone is different! Everyone operates differently.

After setting ground rules, I came up with a plan for setting my goals. I wanted to make it manageable, simple and a formula that, not only worked for me, but could work for my children as well.

Trying to set goals for everything was too daunting. I needed to break it down into smaller chunks. I researched S.M.A.R.T goals, created a Pinterest board of ideas I found online, and read my Water the Bamboo book that a dear friend gave me.

Steps for Setting Goals for the Whole Family

Step one: Reflect on Prior Success

What worked last year? What am I good at? What are my strengths? How can I build on those strengths to reach new goals?

For my children, I made a printable and asked them 5 simple questions. Not only did this create a great keepsake, it also focused the children in on what they have learned and got them thinking of what they wanted to learn.

Step Two: Define what you want

Do you want to grow in a new area? Learn a new skill? Try something completely new? Is one change enough? Can you define this change in one word? For me, the word is…          

                             Balance

Having the boys pick one word was a bit too abstract for them, so instead we had a family meeting and discussed goal making. We talked about homeschool, learning styles, choice and how to set measurable goals. We decided that we needed more than one goal per person.

Step Three: Create S.M.A.R.T goals  SMART goals can be defined as a goal set with a Specific and Measurable outcome, that is Attainable and Realistic to obtain in a Timely manner. That sounds scary, doesn’t it? It really isn’t! During our family meeting we went through our planning for Homeschool and what everyone felt needed to take place. Within each area, we helped the boys set very specific goals.

Initially both boys just wanted to take over the world, but once they realized they needed baby steps to make that happen they were much more prone to set Realistic Goals for learning.

Our entire family decided that checking in monthly would be a great way to assess our progress towards our goals.

Make Your Goals Become Reality

I strongly believe that it is important to be held accountable when setting goals. That is why I plan to write out the goals the boys made and my goals and share them here. Not only will I have a visual reminder of what I want to accomplish… I will have you this community as support.

But where are my goals?

I know I was supposed to post goals today. I tried. I really did. But remember how I told you I over-think, over-analyze, and over-plan?

I hope you can forgive me for not being “ready” to write my goals here yet… My current plan is to continue to post throughout the month and update you each month on our progress.

How can you use this group to help you?

My hope is that you will leave comments, ideas, and share your goals as well.  Every month I will be post at the end of the month, along with my co-host. Visit their pages, read their goals, and tell us yours.

Together we can achieve what we desire!

Co-hosted by

Mama Smiles – Joyful Parenting
3 Dinosaurs
B-Inspired Mama
Happily Ever Mom
Kids Yoga Stories
Lemon Lime Adventures
Powerful Mothering
Smiling Like Sunshine
The Educators’ Spin On It
The Life of Jennifer Dawn

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