5 Tips to Get Started Setting Goals in Life so You Can Crush Them (Part 2)

Are you tired of following all the all the steps to accomplish your goals in life, just to fail again and again?

Welcome to part 2 of the setting goals in life series. This series is for the mom who is tired of trying goal system after goal system, only to fail by February. Every. Single. Time. In part 1 we went through why the highly popular goals in life systems don’t work for moms (these systems are usually not written with kids in mind).

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

In this post, we are going to get into some of the very practical steps of goal planning for moms. So you can plan your goals in life and crush them like a mom boss.

It is estimated that 92% of people don’t achieve their goals. One of the most popular goal setting theories is SMART goals. But if 92% of people don’t achieve their goals, then maybe it is time to try something new.

Let’s do it differently. Mom you can accomplish your goals, so let’s start with some very practical tips.

To Achieve Goals in Life Determine the Difference between Habits and Goals

This is such an important step. Do you want to run a 5k (goal)? Or do you want to get in shape and be healthy (habit)? These are two very different outcomes. It is important to understand what you actually want to accomplish.

Let’s define what goals and habits are.

Goals: A goal is something with a set end time. It is very specific and can be measured by specific accomplishments. Goals have a specific conclusion.

Habit: A habit is a behavior that once acquired it becomes almost involuntary. Habits continue beyond a set time frame.

Many times, you may put habits on your list of goals, but once you accomplish it you move on. In reality you actually want this resolution to be a new habit that you form. Not just a goal to accomplish and then move on.

That’s why you need distinguish the difference between habits and goals. So you are clear on what you are trying to achieve.

Goals in Life are Important

Typically, every January my sister and I get excited to start working out because we want to get in shape for the St. Patrick’s day 5k. We decide to start running January 2. The new running shoes are bought, and we get moving. Usually, we always say, after the 5k we are going to do the 10k in July, and maybe work up to the half-marathon. We are pumped and determined.

The 5k rolls around, and we get our green shirts with our lucky headbands and run it. You know what happens without fail, every single year? We stop running. Our lives get busy and the determination to run the 10k and maybe the half marathon is put on the back burner.

Let’s be honest as homeschooling moms there are a lot of things more important than running a race. That is just life.

We accomplished our goal of running the 5k. Check it off the to-do list and move on. But the reality is, I want to get in shape and be healthy as a habit. I want this to be a lifestyle change, not just a first 3 months of the year change.

My mindset needs to shift from thinking of this as a goal, and it needs to become a habit that I do on a regular basis. So the behavior becomes automatic.

How to Accomplish Goals in Life

Now that you know the difference between goals and habits, it is time to start thinking through some of your goals. Goals in life are important. They help you stay focused and give direction. But we need a better system that works for moms. So here is my unscientific, but mom tested tips for accomplishing your goals. A system that can bend with sudden changes instead of breaking.

1. Brain dump

Ask yourself these questions. What do I want to accomplish this year? Are there things I need to learn for business and personal? Is there something I need to focus on with my kids? Write all these answers down. Just write them down in a notebook or journal.

They don’t need to be neat or pretty. Just get them out of your head and onto paper.

2. Theme

Instead of asking whether my goals are measurable, specific, achievable, etc. I ask what do I want to accomplish and what should I focus on.

For example, do you want to focus on becoming a better writer? Or do you want to launch your blog or business website. Then these become your goals for the year.

And every business book you read, or class you take will have this focus. Think of it as your theme for the year. This will help to focus your time and attention. Yes, you are allowed to tweak it along the way.

3. To do list

You need to make a to-do list. Now that you have your focus and theme, write down the specific things you need to do that are in line with your theme, and get you closer to crushing your goals.

Do another brain dump and list everything that is involved in accomplishing your goals. What do you need to do build your website? Where do you need to start and what comes next?

Create categories. For example, books, classes, business, kids, or blog.

Do you want to get your child reading? Or do your kids needs to accomplish algebra and chemistry?

Under your books category list 10 books you want to read. This is about 1 book per month, with 2 months to fudge with.

Usually, my book list consists of only books I plan to sit down and read. The rest of the books I read for the year will be audio books. I usually don’t create a list for these because I get through them really fast, and I want to leave space for book recommendations.

If you want to focus on building your business website. Then the first thing you need to do is watch What to do before You Start Creating a Website to Make it Easier and How to Create a Website for Beginners. These would fall under your classes category.

Make a list and check it twice.

4. Keep it real

I am not of fan of making statements like, “I want to make $5,000 a month by this month.” Or “Write a book by this time next year.” These are usually not realistic, especially for moms. They set you up for failure, and if you don’t accomplish them, more than likely you won’t come back to them.

Neither do I like the idea of setting milestones throughout the year. Or setting a deadline and creating milestone dates for that deadline. It just doesn’t work with how crazy life can get.

This needs to be your mantra. Slow and steady wins the race. Make progress and improvement a little every day, and you will reach your goal.

It might not be at a set deadline, or it may even be at an earlier deadline. But the important thing is to work on your goals a little every day and you will make progress. Success comes from what you do consistently, not what you do occasionally. Focus on small steps, instead of giant leaps.

Urgent care visits can’t be planned for. And sometimes they hijack more than just a day. If your focus is to make steady progress on your to do list and your goals in life. Then when things pop up, you can still handle them without feeling pressured to make a milestone date.

This creates a goal system that is flexible to your business life as a mom. It bends, but it doesn’t break when things come up.

5. Limit your goals

You need a life that does not revolve around your business. If you are a homeschooling mom, then you have kids who need your time and attention. You need to be available to them. Yes, it is ok to tell them to wait to tell you the same thing for the fifth time today. Sometimes you need to give your kids boundaries. All of this is necessary. But when you hit those moments of As the Playground Turns (that is my made up name for playground drama. I think it has potential.) Then you need to sit and listen to them. And help them work through some interpersonal relationships. Don’t let your goals consume every aspect of your life.

Try not to put so much focus and energy on one single aspect of your life. Look at your whole life. You are more than just your business.

Conclusion: Setting Goals in Life for Moms

Now that we’ve established what goals are, and how to plan them. How to Leverage Your Habits to Achieve Goals for Life that really helps you to accomplish your goals. Part 4 gives practical tips to achieve goals. Let me know what helps you to crush your goals.