People with clear, written goals accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine. –Brian Tracy
It’s that time of year. The time when resolutions, goals, plans all take center stage. Last week we talked about setting goals with kids. This week it’s time to talk about us, the adults in the room.
Isn’t January so motivating? All the talk and the planning and the clean calendars… And then sometimes, when you are a mom with a million things pulling you in every direction, it can be so overwhelming to try and figure out WHAT you want to do. And how on earth can you get it done? You may just as soon set the goal or resolution and look up and think “How on earth will I ever get that done, too?!? I can barely keep up with the laundry!”
I get it. But if what Brian Tracy said above is true then we do need to set some goals, and we need to write them down. And whether it’s in January or not, this mama knows that all of us need to set some goals for ourselves that have nothing to do with the kids or the classroom. Know what I’m saying?
So here are a few ideas to help you as you look to set goals this year. And as you look at the ideas, I’d love to encourage you to set at least one intention this year that is just for you. Not for the house. Not for the kids. But for your heart, your soul.
- Set Short Term Goals. While you want to feel good about the year in review come December, this one is all about getting a quick win. What’s something that you can actually accomplish this month or this quarter? Quick, write it down! It’s important, *especially* if you feel like you are on a hamster wheel, to have something you can look at and say “Yes! I did a thing!” So whether it’s completing a 5k or cleaning out the pantry, set a goal that will be a quick win.
- Limit The Number. Setting too many goals makes it really easy to feel like a failure when you don’t meet one of them. So keep the list small. The great thing about goals? You can always add more.
- Make Them Measurable. Sometimes we can really get in the way of our own success when we listen to how we feel about our progress instead of actually measuring it. So make what you want to do measurable. A non-measurable goal of “Get in Shape” can become “Complete 10 Classes at the Gym Each Month.” See? Measurable. “Be Present with the Kids” can become “Mom’s Phone Goes Away after 6 p.m.” Measurable! “Be more Engaged with my Student’s Math” may become “Sit Down and Watch Two Lessons a Week with my Student.” You get the idea. Measurement helps make a nebulous goal one that you can actually stay accountable to.
- Tell Someone. Speaking of accountability, another powerful way to make goals happen is to share them with someone. A great accountability partner is probably about, eh, maybe 4 parts Cheerleader to 1 part Enforcer. You want someone who believes in you but will also call your bluff when you’re not putting the work in that you should. This may or may not be your spouse or a close friend, but is always someone who understands your goal and motivation. They can really keep you on track when your will to succeed is wearing thin.
Do you have goals already mapped out for this year? I know my subscribers are doing great things. You can share them in my subscriber Facebook Group or email them to me! I can’t wait to hear about them and how you are planning to achieve them.
Talk to you soon,
Nicole the Math Lady
