Goal Setting For Moms: How To Set Yourself Up for Success

I’m writing this post on New Year’s Eve 2023, with a sudden burst of energy to set some goals for 2024. Why, I ask myself (and I’m sure you are too)…..I know full well that normally by February (if it’s a particularly good year), all the goals will be a distant memory. Well, I do believe goal setting for moms is a good idea, even if we don’t manage to keep up with them. Hopefully, I’ll convince you of that too.

You might have noticed I used the phrase “goal setting for Moms”, and not “New Year resolutions for Moms”. Well, because New Year resolutions are well-meaning, but they lack specificity. 

Take me for example……the whole reason for this sudden burst of planning energy comes down to my fear of being an unorganised failure this year since I agreed to be the secretary of my son’s primary school PTA (it was clearly a rush of blood to the head!).

If I set a resolution, it would be “to be more organised” and seeing as that hasn’t happened in the over 20 years of being an adult, I doubt very much anything will change from that statement.

So I decided, once and for all to get organised, and this year it has got to work!

My credentials? Well, I will say I am a seasoned goal-setter! This process….assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation……is the basis of nursing care plans, which underpins all patient care.

I’ve done this every working day for the last 23 years and can easily translate it to my home life, but for some reason, I just don’t manage the evaluation part at home.

This is why I’ve thrown the towel in by mid-February. The beauty of setting goals is they can be set any time of the year. If I fall off the organised wagon this year by March, I can restart whenever I want.

If you are reading this post in the middle of June, or any other time that isn’t the last few days of December, you can do the same too. Here, I’ll go through the process with you step by step – I promise it will bring you a curated, nursed and organised year ahead!

Let’s dive into how to set goals as a mom!

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Why Goal Setting Is Important

Before delving into the actual goal setting for moms, I just wanted to give you a brief explanation as to why setting goals as moms is important.

Returning to the difference between a resolution and a goal, a resolution is just a statement of what we want to change. A goal is what we want to achieve, with details on how we will achieve it and when we want to achieve it by.

The Australian Health Direct website says:

“Having goals is a good way to focus attention on the important things. It allows us to create a vision of how we would like our life to be. When we have a goal, we tend to increase the amount of time and effort we spend on an activity, and develop effective strategies to achieve that goal.” 

Need any more convincing?

Why Goal Setting For Moms Is Important

We all know that a mother can take on the role of 3 Air Traffic Controllers without breaking a sweat, right? 

We take on multiple careers all in 1 day: Secretary, Counsellor, Personal Trainer, Dental Hygienist, Entertainer, Chief Financial Officer, Nurse, Laundry service, Life Coach, Teacher, Chauffeur, Referee, Chef, Housekeeper, Personal Shopper, Stylist, Encyclopedia…..and even Journalist as for some reason we want to remember everything about our crazy lives!

This is a lot of balls to juggle and somehow, with all of this, we should be looking after ourselves too (how anyone can think they can achieve all of this without any self-care is beyond me!).

This is where goals come in. You don’t lose track of the bigger things in life with the ongoing day-to-day crap!!

Also, once you get into the habit of setting goals for the big stuff, you will get into the habit of setting them for the everyday stuff which will make you more efficient and focused. It will give you a purpose…..

This quote from Mindtools.com says it all:

“By setting sharp, clearly defined goals, you can measure and take pride in the achievement of those goals, and you’ll see forward progress in what might previously have seemed a long pointless grind” 

Hands up those who can relate at some point as a mother to a “long pointless grind”!!

Goal Setting For Moms – Methods To Write Them

I use a mixture of two methods to write my goals

The first method was with the well-known SMART acronym, and in case you’re not aware of it or need a reminder, it stands for:

• S: Specific
• M: Measurable
• A: Attainable
• R: Relevant
• T: Time-bound

This system works well, and I do question if each of my goals matches up to these 5 points, but I have always struggled to apply them to the day-to-day process of achieving these goals. How do you “measure” them as you go along?

Enter the MTO method!

Goal Setting For Moms the MTO Way

I discovered this method from life coach and YouTuber/blogger Tracy Hensel. Here is the specific blog post (and video) I used. 

I bloody love Tracy! I would imagine when you first watch her you would think words to the effect of “Are you mad?” (for example to her day-to-day plan of getting up at 4 am to exercise) but actually if you listen to her advice, she talks a hell of a lot of sense.

She is also a mom to 5 and appears to have sailed through motherhood like a dream, so yeah, she’s my mom role model!

The MTO stands for:

• M: Minimum – The minimum amount of times you want to achieve a goal in a specified amount of time. It should be a fairly easy-to-reach goal.

• T: Target – The targeted number of times you want to achieve a goal in a specified time. Should be a bit of a stretch to achieve.

• O: Outrageous – An amount of times you could achieve a goal in a specified amount of time that you consider outrageous! A massive stretch….

The goal of the MTO method is to aim for the Target amount. The benefit of this system is if we only manage the Minimum amount set, we still feel we have achieved something. Achieving the Outrageous amount is the gravy on top!

This allows you to incrementally make progress without getting discouraged and losing motivation.

How does this all work in the real world? How do we use these acronyms to achieve a goal?

Goal Setting For Moms With A Real-World Example

Let’s use the goal of losing weight. Just saying “I want to lose weight” is more of a New Year’s resolution. So to turn it into a goal:

• S: Specific = To lose 6 kg
• M: Measurable = Yes it is, we can use scales! We can measure it by aiming for 1 kg loss per month
• A: Attainable = Yes if we are meeting daily/weekly goals, we should be able to attain a 1 kg loss per month.
• R: Relevant = Losing 6 kg of weight is certainly relevant to our life if we want to be happier and healthier for our family.
• T: Time-bound = To achieve the goal of 6 kg weight loss in 6 months is not an open-ended goal and we have a deadline to aim for.

For the day-to-day plan for achieving this goal, we can then apply it to the MTO method. We all know to lose weight we need to watch our diet and move more, so:

• M: Minimum = The minimum times to exercise a week will be 3 times
• T: Target = The target amount of times to exercise a week will be 4 times
• O: Outrageous = An outrageous amount of times to exercise a week would be 5 times

We can write similar targets for our diet.

Goal Setting For Moms Ideas

We know things in our lives could improve, but sometimes it’s difficult to come up with specific ideas. Here are a few categories and mom goals to inspire you to come up with your own goals:

Personal Goal Ideas

This is to ensure we are looking after ourselves to enable us to look after our loved ones effectively. Personal goals for moms ideas include:

• Health
  • Medical appointments
  • Dental appointments
  • Taking vitamins regularly
  • Keeping ourselves hydrated
• Exercise
  • Cardio workouts
  • Dog walking
  • Strength training
  • Pilates/yoga
  • Regular Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels)
  • Work towards a marathon
• Diet
  • 5 portions fruit/veg a day
  • Reduced sugar intake
  • Calorie counting
  • Reduced alcohol intake
  • Intermittent fasting
  • Avoiding ultra-processed food
  • Eat less cookies (that’s just me!)
• Skincare
  • Applying SPF every morning
  • Weekly masks
  • Face cleansing daily
  • Skincare for our body
• Beauty
  • Saving for facials
  • Having regular haircut/colour
• Hobbies
  • Start a new hobby
  • Make time for a current hobby
  • Read regular books
• Sleep
  • Getting 7-8 hours sleep
  • Getting to bed early
  • Getting up before the family
  • Good sleep hygiene

Related posts:
– WHY BODY SKINCARE MATTERS: IT’S TIME TO GIVE YOUR BODY SOME LOVE TOO
– MY ULTIMATE WORKING MOM EVENING ROUTINE: SECRET TO STREAMLINED MORNINGS

Relationships Goal Ideas

Once we’ve looked after ourselves and feel refreshed we can effectively work on some goals to improve relationships with those we love. Ideas include:

• With our children
  • Have 1:1 time with each of the kids
  • Family game evening
  • Sit-down meals all together
  • Ensure ALL kid’s needs are met
  • Ensure homework/reading/spellings are always done
  • Family trip out
  • Setting family goals
• With our spouse/partner
  • Date night
  • Intimacy time
• Extended family
  • Shopping trip or lunch out with mom/sister
  • Host extended family meal
  • Visit elderly relative
  • Phone call to a long-distance relative
• Friends
  • Catch up with old friend
  • Phone call with long-distant friend
  • Host a meal with another couple
  • Host meal for neighbours
    
    

Related posts:
– WHY A MORNING WORKOUT SKINCARE ROUTINE IS ESSENTIAL (AND HOW TO DO IT)

Spiritual Goal Ideas

Some of us believe in a higher power, but even if you don’t, getting in tune with our own spirituality may be something you want to work on:

• Reading spiritual material
  • Regularly reading the bible
  • Reading self-help books
• Quiet time
  • Praying or searching to a higher power
• Meditation,
  • Attending place of worship
  • Manifestation or visualisation
• Practising gratitude
  • Journaling
  • Daily devotions

Related posts:
– UNRAVELING AND RESOLVING THE HIDDEN BARRIERS TO SELF-CARE BLISS

Home Goal Ideas

It’s got to be done! The least fun of all these ideas is the house upkeep, but if we have plans to keep on top of it, it may not get so overwhelming:

• Organisation
  • Maintaining a to-do list
  • Organising different areas of the house
  • Digital organisation
  • Work on a more sustainable life
  • Declutter the house
  • Create a family command centre
  • Plan and stick to a meal plan
• Housework
  • Plan a housework schedule
  • Keep up the housework schedule
  • Plan and delegate chores to all family members
• House maintenance
  • Fix areas around the house
  • Redecorate rooms of the house
  • Clear garden and grow plants
    

Related posts:
– 15 VALENTINE’S DAY SKINCARE GIFT IDEAS TO GET YOURSELF

Financial Goal Ideas

Another must-do area of our lives. Finances can be scary but if we make a goal to get on top of them and get in control it loses its fear – and can even be fun:

• Budget
  • Re-evaluate all insurance cover
  • Re-evaluate all direct debits
  • Plan and stick to a monthly money budget
• Income
  • Work on extra income streams/side hustles
  • Work on a pay raise 
• Savings
  • Pay off all debt
  • Plan something to save for
  • Create an emergency fund
  • Save money for a nest egg
  • Plan for no spend weeks
    
    

Career/Business Goals

You most likely have plenty of goals to work on within your job, but we often forget to look at the big picture of our career. If you’re anything like me you forget to work on the necessities you have responsibility for to keep your professional registration too:

• CPD (Continual Professional Development)
  • Organise your CPD folder if required and keep up-to-date
  • Attend mandatory courses as required
  • Attend courses/seminars/webinars useful to your career
• Career progression
  • Work on a new specialism in your career
  • Work on a new project
  • Work on a promotion
  • Consider a new job
  • Consider a career change
    
    

Writing Your Goals Down

I cannot over-emphasise this enough YOU NEED TO WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN!!

I don’t care how much you think you will remember them – you won’t! Plus you need them written down to track and evaluate them. Let’s go over the process I would recommend for this:

• There are so many studies that show that writing things down cements them in our heads as well, so get yourself a piece of paper and a pencil (yes a pencil – we will be evaluating as the year goes on and making adjustments).
  
  
• Write each of the above categories down and under each write a bulleted list of goals for that category.
  
  
• You can use all the categories, some of them, or add/change categories mentioned here to suit your life.
  
  
• Use my list of goal ideas as you see fit. Hopefully, they might inspire you with different goals that relate to your circumstances.
  
  
• You can write it on your computer or an organisation-based app, but I think it’s easier to brainstorm the old-fashioned way – use technology further down the road.
  
  
• With each goal you write down in each category, go through the SMART acronym and scribble the answer down to each letter. 
  
  
• Move onto the MTO method and think about how you would break each goal down into daily/weekly/monthly increments as necessary.
  
  
• I find some goals don’t always work with the SMART method. I do find nearly all goals work with the MTO method though, which is why I love it. 
  
  
  For example, I have a goal to get 7 hours of sleep a night – a minimum amount of times per week I want to achieve that is 5 nights, the target is 6 nights and an outrageous amount would be 7 nights (a girl can dream!). There is no long-term bigger goal for me to work on with this, so SMART just didn’t work.
  
  
• It should now look something like this:

• You can write it neatly in a notebook or on paper to put into a folder. You may prefer to use an app like Trello or Notion, or even write it out in a document on your computer that you save somewhere with easy access. 
  
  This article on The Best Goal-Tracking Apps for 2024 gives you 5 options to choose from. I’m sure you’ll find one that will work for you there.
  
  
• The 3 rules though are that it is editable, easy to access and won’t be out of sight/out of mind. Goal setting for moms is pointless if you forget all about them!
  
  

How To Actively Start Working On Your Goals

It’s all about getting the goals into habits if they’re daily things to work on, or making appointments for them in your weekly/monthly diary. Here are some pointers for this:

• For those daily habits, you can use a habit tracker. You can print one out as they’re all over Pinterest, or you could just create a rudimentary one. It doesn’t have to be anything perfect.
  

• Write each of your daily activities on the habit tracker.
  
  
• At the end of each day, tick off when you achieved one of those daily goals
  
  
• With the weekly/monthly goals, look ahead in your diary for the next week or month and schedule in each of these goals.
  
  
• It’s now just up to you to do each of these scheduled goals. When they’re written down in your diary there’s no excuse to forget!
  
  
• I know you wouldn’t normally write “family board game night” into your diary, but once you do you’re more likely to have that great family evening. Making a phone call to your sister who lives abroad won’t be left for months as it won’t get swallowed up with life.
  
  
• Life happens, we all know that children get sick for example and there will be other times when we need some flexibility. The structure, however, is there. Goal setting for moms does not mean it must be achieved at all costs!
  

Related posts:
– PRIORITISING SELF-CARE – 23 UNIQUE WAYS FOR ‘ME TIME’ AS A MUM
– QUICK AND CHEAP SELF-CARE: 30 ACTIVITIES FOR MUMS TO ELEVATE OUR WELL-BEING

How To Evaluate If You’re Meeting Your Goals

You’ve assessed, planned and implemented your goals, so the last step is to now evaluate how it’s all working. As Einstein said, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This is what I would recommend you do:

• Set time aside to look back at the last period of time. I would do this weekly for the daily habits, monthly for the weekly goals and monthly for the monthly goals. 
  
  
• Count up every time you’ve met a habit or activity. 
  
  
• Look at the MTO targets you wrote out – do they match up?
  
  
• If you’ve reached the Outrageous amount – yay, you’ve reached gravy level!
  
  
• If you’ve reached your set Target amount  – well done! You can continue as you are or even push harder for the Outrageous amount
  
  
• If you’ve managed to get to the Minimum amount, you’ve still achieved so you should be pleased. Do you want to work on getting to your Target amount or maybe address how attainable your goals are?
  
  
• If you are not managing the Minimum target, don’t beat yourself up! It is most likely they’re just not working for you and need changing to what will work.
  
  
• Think laterally and creatively! If the family board game night isn’t happening, maybe it’s because you’re trying to play a never-ending game like Monopoly, whereas something like Game Of Life that has a defined ending would be better. If the family movie night isn’t happening maybe you’d be better having a family box set episode evening as it’s only 1 hour rather than closer to 3. 
  
  
• Rewrite any of your MTO targets to what you think will be attainable
  
  
• Rinse and repeat! You have this goal setting for moms thing down to a fine art now.
  
  

Related posts:
– MULTI PURPOSE SKINCARE: HOW TO JUGGLE PARENTING AND BEAUTY
– SKINCARE FOR MOMS: 15 OF THE BEST MULTI PURPOSE PRODUCTS

Useful Products For Your Planning

Everyone knows that stationary just does it for us women, even though we have no idea why?! With that in mind, here are some great products that I use (or in some cases would love to use) for my planning:

The best solution to prevent your life from becoming chaotic and overwhelming is by goal setting for moms that can help you stay focused on what matters to you. It’s easy to get caught up in the everyday struggles and forget to take a step back and focus on building that happy family life you dream of.

Planner Journal

I’ve got a very similar one to this but I think I’ll be getting this next time. I used to use just A4 bits of paper with a design I crafted myself, but have found I’m much more likely to stick with my goals using this……..because it’s pretty and I’m shallow possibly!!

I just make sure I keep it front an centre in my house, practically in front of my eyes, so I don’t forget to use it.

Clever Fox Planner 2nd Edition – Colorful Weekly & Monthly Goal Setting Planner

Family Calendar

A must with a busy family! I’ve tried many calendars over the years and the best one I’ve found is a weekly one with individual columns with each family member.

This also needs to be front and centre in the house where every family member can see it – typically the kitchen. I would love to say it’s up to each family member to put what they’re doing on it, but realistically it ends up being Mum who does that!

I would also recommend putting the weekly events on to it. I know you think you’ll probably remember the kid’s weekly swimming lessons because they happen every Friday, but the purpose behind it is to ensure clashes don’t occur or you don’t overload yourself.

I’m actually going to put two links in here. The Amazon.co.uk link is to a calendar (which you can see in the picture below) I use and is the best one I’ve ever had – sadly I can’t find it on the Amazon.com site, but I have linked the next best one I could find for that.

Busy B 13 Month August 2024 – August 2025 Mid-Year Weekly Family Calendar

Clever Fox Mom’s Family Calendar For 2024-2025

Mechanical Pencils

Another absolute must for me. Obviously, I love a beautiful pen, who doesn’t, but mechanical pencils are so much more practical.

The way I think of it, is we all make mistakes! So much cleaner and quicker using the eraser conveniently located at the end of the pencil. For me, I also go for mechanical as you can easily just push the lead back down when finished with it and not have to find the sharpener in the drunk drawer

BIC Xtra-Strong Thick Lead Mechanical Pencil

Gel Pens

If you’re more of a pen person, these gel pens work a treat and are so smooth to use. With the added benefit of being able to use different colours for different goals or members of the family

Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens

This system works. I particularly love the MTO method as it is a lot more flexible with the ebbs and flows of family life – you’ll see that your life will become more meaningful and you’ll feel more accomplished and contented.

Everyone’s goals are going to look different – goal setting for working moms will be a lot different to goals for stay at home moms and especially for goals for new moms. Goals for work at home moms  – different again, but these methods will work for all.

Don’t give up on them. Just because you didn’t meet a target yesterday doesn’t mean you won’t meet it tomorrow. Tomorrow is always a fresh day to start again – that’s the beauty of goals.

So go ahead and make some goals. As I said, you can do this anytime – not just New Year. You and the family can only benefit from them.

Please chat with me: How do you get on with goal setting? Do you have any experience and if so, have I missed out on any steps that work for you? Let me know in the comments below!