by Kerry Beck

As you embark upon a new year, many of you will take some time to set goals for 2008. That’s a fantastic idea and exercise. Goal setting is an open secret known by top-caliber athletes, successful businessmen and businesswomen, as well as all types of achievers in all the different fields. This definitely includes moms at home! You have the most important job of raising the leaders of tomorrow, so be prepared by setting and achieving your goals - both for you and your children.

The basics of setting goals give you as a Mom focus for each day. Goals also provide short-term and long-term motivation as you plan your day, week and month. The goals I set also help me organize my time and resources so I will stay focused. This allows me time and resources to educate myself and share that new-found knowledge with my children.

WHY DO WE NEED TO SET GOALS?

We keep thinking, why do we set goals? God will help me and I fully trust him to light my way. Discovering a great truth as you believe in him to guide your way. But, having goals set in short and long term ones will help you measure your progress as you bring up your children in Christ. As your goals are met, you will be further motivated to follow God’s path.

Isn’t it great when you cross something off your written list? I feel the same too! Its also the same with goals. As these short term goals are completed, you will feel a sense of accomlishment that leads to a great feeling that you’ve been realizing your final goals.

Did you ever have that feeling that you’ve not accomplished anything or its lacking, thinking that you’ve just wasted your time?

Setting goals helps remove that feeling of incompleteness and pointless outlook. I think you know what I mean of being on a pointless outlook.

BASICS OF GOAL SETTING - HOW DO I BEGIN TO SET GOALS?

1. Think what you really want for your children and yourself or the things you need to accomplish to get a jumpstart on raising your kids to become future leaders of God. This should be forefront of your goals, your life goals.

2. Make a list of the short and long term goals needed for you to attain your lifetime goals. Make a chart with each family member at the top of your chart.

3. Turn those goals into manegeable chunks that are easy to complete. These sub-goals will be under the first goal at that particular week only.

4.Write the activities you’ve done, everyday, so that you can meet your goals. You can begin on the first month, again, breaking it to manageable chunks of weekly activities. On a Sunday or a Monday, write down your everyday activities for the particular week only.

5. Once you’ve obtained your list, go directly to working on your goals.

In the 2nd part, I’ll be talking about putting these goals into action.

About the Author:

Kerry Beck wrote Raising Leaders, Not Followers, which helps parents to train their children to be leaders who lead wisely. She wants to give you a special report about How To Get It All Done at Christian Homeschool Curriculum