Creating Sustainable Goals as a Busy Mom of Six
As a busy mom, setting and maintaining goals might seem daunting amidst the juggling act of motherhood, work, and personal responsibilities. However, the key to success lies in creating sustainable goals that align with your priorities and allow for a balanced, fulfilling life. In today’s post, I’ll share the importance of sustainable goal-setting and practical strategies for busy moms to not only set but also achieve and maintain their aspirations!
This post is a special one, as I’ve been given the opportunity to test out a planner Biz Mom Planner Co., and share my thoughts with all of you! As a busy mom of six, I use my planner for everything and rely on it to keep me on task, track upcoming appointments, and keep me on budget. I love that this planner has weekly and monthly pages, a notes section, and it’s undated. Plus, it includes a monthly habit tracker! I’m working to increase my physical activity and water intake, and having a place to log those goals is great!
If you want to purchase your beautifully made planner from Biz Mom Planner, click here, and remember to use code TGM20 to save yourself some cash!
Look how beautiful this planner is! The size is perfect and includes everything I want in one place.
How do I create sustainable goals as a mom?
I’m glad you asked! Losing sight of personal goals is easy in a whirlwind of daily tasks. Creating sustainable goals offers a compass to navigate the demands of motherhood while ensuring your personal growth and well-being aren’t neglected. By embracing sustainable goals, you set the foundation for a fulfilling journey that harmonizes with your busy life.
As I mentioned, I haven’t stuck with using a planner in the past, but something about this planner has made it so much easier. Maybe because everything is included in one planner. Having everything I need accessible in one planner has been so convenient.
These are just a few of the habit and stat trackers you can purchase for your planner! It’s been so convenient.
Reflect on your priorities
Before diving into goal setting, take a moment to reflect on your priorities. What matters most to you? What are your core values? Aligning your goals with these priorities ensures that your pursuits are meaningful and contribute to a more satisfying life.
For example, if your goal is to increase movement throughout the day, you could easily set a goal to reach 10,000 steps per day and call it good. Why did you want to set that goal in the first place, though? Are you working to improve your health and wellness? Or are you concerned about a number on the scale? If your reason for setting a goal is superficial, you’re more likely to burn out and give up than if your reasoning is deep-rooted, like a concern for your health and wellness rather than just weight loss.
Set realistic expectations
Setting realistic and achievable goals is paramount for busy moms. Acknowledge the limitations of time and energy and be gentle with yourself. Establishing expectations that consider your busy life’s demands sets the stage for sustainable progress.
I know that as a mom, my time is limited. I want to set myself up for success, not failure. When I started this blog, my goal was 4 posts a week. I quickly realized that was too aggressive and scaled it back to twice a week. My growth may be slower, but that’s okay! I’d rather push out solid content than reach a goal that’s too much for me. Being with my children is my main focus, and if I’m too overwhelmed with writing to enjoy them, I’m doing something wrong.
Compare your priorities to your goals and compare that to your schedule. How much time do you truly have each week to dedicate to your goals? If it’s 30 minutes, great. An hour, even better! Set yourself up to reach your goals by ensuring they are sustainable before ever going after them.
Time management strategies
Effectively managing your time is essential for reaching your goals. Explore time management strategies that suit your lifestyle, such as creating a daily schedule, utilizing productivity tools (like a planner!), and maximizing efficiency during specific time blocks.
If you’ve never been a person who uses a planner, I want to encourage you to at least try. What if writing everything down and keeping it all in one location is exactly what you need to stay on task?
The best advice I can give you is to create a schedule. I’m not talking about a minute-by-minute plan for your day but creating a schedule you can stick to is such an easy way to reach your goals. I plan my day in 2-hour blocks of time. I don’t have the longest attention span, and this helps me get so much done in my home. Here’s an example of my schedule:
6 am-8 am: School drop-off for our oldest, breakfast, reset the kitchen, workout, and shower.
8 am-10 am: Homeschool assignments with our children, bake bread or other restock items, start a load of laundry, reset master bedroom and bathroom.
10 am-noon: Outside time, crafts, prep lunch.
Noon-2 pm: lunchtime, naptime, work on blog.
2 pm-4 pm: School pickup, afternoon snack, reset kitchen from lunch, prep dinner.
4 pm-6 pm: Dinner, evening chores, bedtime routine, shutdown main floor.
6 pm-8 pm: Bedtime routine, wind down, read, settle in for bed.
It doesn’t always go perfectly, but planning our day out helps break things up and ensure I’m reaching my goals and planning time for myself throughout the day. Creating sustainable goals requires planning so you have time to reach those goals.
Prioritize self-care within your goals
Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity, especially for busy moms. Integrate self-care into your goals to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy balance. Whether it’s dedicating time for a hobby, exercise, or quiet reflection, taking time for self-care is non-negotiable. It’s not selfish to carve out time in your schedule to reach your goals- it’s the exact opposite. Refill your cup so you can keep going and caring for the people who matter most in your life.
I know it may seem tough at first, but with practice, you’ll learn how to prioritize what’s most important to you. And remember to ask for help! Your family wants to see you succeed. Share your goals with them and express what you need to reach those goals. Prioritize tasks, delegate when possible, and keep working hard.
Reversible covers make the planner customizable depending on your preference!
Habit forming
When creating sustainable goals, habits form the foundation. Identify habits that align with your aspirations and work on incorporating them into your daily routine. Over time, these habits become second nature, supporting your ongoing success.
I start a load of laundry every day. It helps keep the pile under control and ensures we all have clean clothes to wear throughout the week! It used to be tough to remember, though. Now that I know how convenient it is to avoid a massive pileup on my bed each week, starting a load of laundry is a piece of cake. It may take time to adjust, but once a habit is formed, it is easy to keep it going.
Another incredible benefit of the planners from Biz Mom Planner is that they’ve thought of everything for busy moms! There’s a section for notes, habit tracking, budgeting, and even grocery shopping! It has helped me reach my goals and stay on track throughout my week!
Finding a supportive community
Much like sharing your goals with your family, building a supportive community is invaluable. Try to connect with other moms who share similar goals. Whether online or in person, a supportive community provides encouragement, advice, and a shared understanding of the challenges and triumphs of motherhood. Starting my blog and social media pages has allowed me to find support and encouragement from other moms with similar goals. It’s been such a blessing to connect with moms working hard to balance their lives and reach their goals.
Final thoughts
Creating sustainable goals isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for a fulfilling and balanced life. Reflecting on priorities, setting realistic expectations, and embracing flexibility pave the way for sustainable success. Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress. As a busy mom, you have the resilience and strength to nurture your aspirations and lead a life that aligns with your values.
I hope you know the work you do as a mother is inspiring. While it may feel like your hard work goes unnoticed, you are shaping the lives of your children on a daily basis. That’s no small feat. Remember to honor yourself for the hard work you do in your role as a mother. No one could take your place!
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