How to Set Goals as a Busy Mom
Are you a BUSY mom?
This post is all about how to set goals as a busy mom! I think a lot of us can agree that being a mom on it’s own means that we are busy. If you’re a single mom, working mom, or a mom of multiples, it’s a whole different story! Moms that have two kids under the age of two or a disabled child are also extremely busy. It’s safe to say that if you’re a mom, you are working hard and juggling a lot. Goal setting doesn’t have to be that hard or extensive. Heck, you don’t even need to start or complete a New Year’s resolution. Below are some very simple and easy ways on how to set goals as a busy mom. Trust me, you’ll want to start immediately!
Step 1: Get Organized
If you’re anything like me, you might LOVE setting goals. As a busy mom myself, I find that my day easily gets away from me if I let it. Do you ever find yourself sitting on the toilet or in the shower and all these thoughts come flooding in? Man is that annoying. Those are the times where I wish I had my phone or planner to jot everything down. Similarly to a brain dump, these quiet moments give a lot of room and space for thoughts to appear.
Paper Planner or Online Versions?
You NEED to get organized as your step 1. Your intentions of setting goals is there, but girl, you need to get your life in order by getting ORGANIZED. There are a ton of options these days to find a planner that is catered to YOU. Getting a planner is seriously going to change your game. Your options are getting a physical planner (my personal fave!), an online one like google calendars, or ones similar to notion. Some people like to multiple and as long as you can manage it, I say go for it!
Why are Planners so Important to Organization?
As a goal setter, you want to be reminded about your tasks. You want to be able to see your progress and sometimes a room that you just cleaned up 24 times the past hour is NOT it. Ticking off your to dos can bring so much joy in what you’re doing. It can help you even gain momentum. Remember when you were in grade school and you had your agenda to jot down your homework so you would complete it? Or to remind you that you had a math test and quiz in the same week? Let’s go back to that mindset where we can ‘see’ into the future and work backwards to get there.
This step might seem very basic to some, but I only recently got back into writing my daily tasks. Having two under two and an appointment every other day because of my children is extremely fatiguing. Your brain starts to blend days and time together. With goal setting as a busy mom, I know can see into the future and plan my days accordingly.
Step 2: Fill out that Calendar
Let’s fill out your calendar now to set action to those goals. I have a gigantic one that I keep by the entrance of our kitchen because it is one of the most heavily trafficked area in the house. Not only can I see it, but my husband can too. He can easily add items or change times of his work schedule.
What should you add to your calendar?
Start with work hours. What does that look like for you or for your partner? Next, let’s check on child-care, if you have that. I’m talking school hours, daycare hours, and anything related to school. Add on the extra curricular activities. Next on your way to smashing those goals as a busy mom, you’ll want to add appointments. Doctor appointments, dentist, massages, friend get togethers, birthday parties, and nail or hair appointments. After this, jot down everyone’s birthday – friends, family, and other. Chores are another list I would incorporate. I do this in my smaller daily agenda that breaks it down day by day in easier bite size pieces. Maybe you don’t want a rigorous cleaning schedule this week, but next week you do. PLAY WITH IDEAS. You don’t have to vacuum and mop every Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Work with your calendar to optimize completing your goals as a busy mom. All you should focus on is the main priority for the day.
Why you NEED to add meal ideas to each day as a busy mom
This is probably the best way to get organized. Meal planning for each day allows you to have a menu set-up. Plus, you’ll only have to go grocery shopping once or twice a week. Shaving off shopping trips is a great way to invest that time back into yourself, your kids, or other areas of your life. I suggest looking at your gigantic schedule that is filled to the brim with everything that’s important. Add the more adventurous meals for lighter days. If you have a stash of freezer meals, you’ll use these for the very busy and hectic days as a busy mom.
Step 3: Complete Your Goals and Adjust as a Busy Mom
As a busy mom, nothing is more satisfying than ending your day knowing you did ONE task on your list. You got that one extra little thing out of the way. Your home looks more organized. You cooked a fantastic meal for your family. Setting goals as a busy mom is not easy. Carrying out those tasks is not any easier. Giving yourself some wiggle room is a must. Know that when you set yourself up for success, you have already taken that first huge step toward completing your goals.
Working with your calendar is going to be a game changer when it comes to chores and keeping yourself organized. When you feel on top of your tasks, no matter what they are, the more at ease you feel. If you can’t complete a goal that day, move it somewhere else. It’s really that simple. Now, get out there, dual wield those planners, and kick some butt with completing your goals as a busy mom.
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