This is a much overdo post since January is almost over! It has been percolating in my mind as I have thought about goals, vision and “resolutions” for the new year.

Since becoming a stay-at-home-mom, I have found that I need goals more than ever, so that I can see some progress in my daily routine. There are many things to be kept busy with, but they usually are the never-ending type. Rarely do you see something last (especially if its clean clothes, a good meal or a tidy house).

I came across a website a while ago that was started by a christian mom named Crystal. It’s called MoneySavingMom. I would definitely recommend checking it out. One blog post that was particularly helpful to me was her goals for 2013 (read them here).

First I want to say I understand the debate surrounding setting New Year’s resolutions. This is not what I’m talking about. I have three times a year that I refer to as my “Re-Focus” zones, where I evaluate where I’m at with goals, decide where tweaking needs to happen, and usually get a burst of creativity around organization and some times even home decor! These are the three times that come naturally for me:

1. Beginning of a New Year

2. Spring Time 

3. September

So that being said, I am at a natural time in my year for a “Re-Focus”, and that’s what a lot of January has been about for me. You’ll know the times that are best for you.

What I found most inspiring about Crystal’s 25 Goals for 2013, was the areas that she broke them down into.

This isn’t the only time that I set goals, and I often have daily ones (don’t yell, drink coffee, get out of house…just kidding), that motivate me to get stuff crossed off my to-do list, and to make sure I’m purposely enjoying my family.

Here were her five areas of goals:

Personal Goals
Marriage Goals
Mothering Goals
Ministry/Friendship/Extended Family Goals
Business/Blogging Goals

With this being a “new baby” year for us, I’m wanting to keep my goals extremely realistic. I decided that I am going to set ONE goal for each of these, then if an area naturally has more, I can go with it. My husband will be my perspective bringer and will honestly tell me if he thinks they are reasonable. 

I have most of these in my mind already, but I’m going to take a little more time to think and pray about it. Want to join me in setting some goals in these areas? We’ll compare notes in a couple of days!

A verse that encourages me with settling goals and sticking to them is found in Habakkuk 2:2.

Then the Lord answered me and said: