As moms, we’ve all been there – writing ambitious New Year’s resolutions in December, only to feel overwhelmed by mid-January. The secret to creating goals that actually stick isn’t about making grand plans; it’s about understanding your real life as a mom. Instead of promising to hit the gym every day or completely overhaul your family’s diet overnight, start by choosing one small area of your life where change feels both necessary and achievable. Maybe it’s dedicating 10 minutes each morning to quiet time before the kids wake up, or meal prepping just one day a week.
The key to sustainable change lies in what I call the “naptime strategy” – breaking down your goals into baby-sized steps that can fit into those small pockets of time we actually have. For instance, if your goal is to create a more organized home, start with just one drawer in your kitchen. Don’t try to tackle the whole house at once. Success builds upon success, and there’s nothing more motivating than actually achieving what you set out to do, no matter how small it might seem.
Remember, you’re not just setting goals for yourself – you’re modeling resilience and self-improvement for your children. They’re watching as you make small, consistent changes and persist even when things don’t go as planned. Keep a simple tracker on your phone or posted on the fridge to check off your small wins. Before you know it, these tiny steps will add up to meaningful change, and you’ll find yourself actually sticking to your New Year’s goals for the first time in years. The best part? You’ll be showing your kids what it looks like to set realistic expectations and follow through.