Do you want to get more done? Setting goals can help.

Do you ever feel like your life is standing still? Or like you are just treading water, and doing the same things every day? Like your life is going nowhere? I think we all feel that way at times, and personally I notice that it happens to me when I am not setting any goals for myself.

We can't make any kind of progress in life if we don't know where we want to go. I always believe that I can do anything that I set my mind to, so the problem comes in when I have become indecisive and haven't set my mind to anything. I am just doing what needs to get done every day, not making any plans, and have nothing to look forward to.

Times like that, my life has felt stagnant.

When I was in high school, someone told me that, "A goal is a dream with a plan." That has always resonated with me, as someone who is driven to be continuously moving forward.

My oldest daughter is getting ready to graduate from high school next week, so for the last year I have been trying to think of all the things I wish someone would have told me at that age.

Finally, I told her: "Think about what your dream life would be. Ask yourself, what would be the coolest thing ever? Then, figure out a plan to make it happen."

Dream Big, Plan Small.

It's great to have a big dream as your end result. Personally, I have always believed that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. So when there is something that I really want, I look at where I want to be. Then I research to figure out the steps to get there.

For example, my partner and I, along with some close friends, have decided that we want to buy a property in Southern Colorado, and build our own community there.

Without breaking it down into smaller pieces, it sounds like an unrealistic dream.

I am here to tell you, no dream is unrealistic.

I grew up in the 80's with my dad always telling me that if you work hard enough, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. That is only the first piece of the puzzle though. First, you paint the big picture. Then, you start breaking down the smaller steps to make it happen.

So, let's take my example of the farm, and I am going to break it down into steps for you:

1. Make a business plan of how we are going to set up the community.

2. Price out the property, and all the building materials that we will need.

3. Meet as a group with all our interested friends to discuss.

4. Start saving up money monthly.

5. Look at properties that will meet our needs.

6. Buy the property, either outright or with financing.

7. Start building houses!

Does it sound too simple? Well it sort of is. Because there will be sub-goals within each larger goals, as well as the timeframe in which we plan to get it done. It helps to set monthly goals, weekly goals, and daily goals. Each time, you break down what you need to do into smaller steps.

Goals for Every Day.

Now, we have big, overarching goals of what we want to accomplish with our whole life. This is a vision that I have set not only with my partner, but with my closest friends as well.

I also have personal goals that I want to work on that are just for me. For example, I want to lose the rest of the baby weight from when my 4 year old was born.

So, I want to lose 20 pounds by the end of the year. That is the big goal.

After I set the big goal, I set little goals for the week to help me get there:

1. Work out for 30 minutes every day.

2. Eat salad for lunch.

3. Drink 80 ounces of water.

The little goals sound much more manageable than the big goal. I work on them every day for the week. Then, then next week I set goals that are going in the same direction but a little bit harder.

Do you see how that works?

Goals for Each Part of My Life

Usually, at any given time, I will be working on multiple different goals to create the life that I want.

Typically, I have a goal for my health and fitness, personal finances, skills I want to build with my kids, and a work goal.

In each of those domains, I set a goal where I would like to be eventually, then I break them down into little goals that I am going to work on every day. Knowing that I have succeeded on a daily goal helps to keep me motivated moving forward toward my larger goals.

If you aren't sure what goals you would like to work towards, it can help to journal about your perfect life, or to make a vision board so that you can visualize what would make you really happy.

Need more ideas of how to set your own personal vision? Check out this video on the way I create my yearly vision board!

Helping Kids Set Goals.

Teaching kids to set goals is important too. Whether they want to learn to do a handstand, or get into college. You can use a similar process to setting your own goals.

You can use a more informal process, or help them put their goals down on paper when they get older.

Often with toddlers, it can be helpful to use a chart where you put stars every time they go potty, tie their shoes, or put their toys away. When we teach them to meet goals that you have chosen, it is a stepping stone to teaching them to set their own goals. It also prepares them for more formal evaluations when they get into school.

You can download this template to help your kids start working on their own goal setting. The first section is, "What makes you happy?" This is because our goals should take us where we want to go. The things that make us happy are like our directional compass in life, and show us what can ultimately enrich our lives.

Goals for Kids 2

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So Mommas, are you ready to create your own vision and goals now? Let me know if you and your partner already do this, or any ideas that you have for personal goals in the comments section below! I always love hearing from you.

If this article has resonated with you and made you want to set some goals of your own, please give it a share on your socials too!

Also, check out my shop page to download "Happy. Healthy. Rich. The Smart mom's guide to living your best life" for more detailed information on goal planning! This video has sneak peeks to the book so you can find out more!