For the past few years, I’ve relied on goals to help sort out our busy life with three kids and ministry.  Goals help me decide where to put my focus for the coming season and help me not be buried in the chaos of everyday life.  I enjoy being engaged in lots of areas at once, so goals help in deciding what is the most important.

I tend to write goals by asking questions like these:

  1. What am I currently frustrated about? Are there areas in my life that are just not working right now?
  2. Where do I experience repeat amounts of stress and hardship?
  3. What do I want in my life that I currently do not have?

So, what is my biggie for this year? MORE TIME FOR QUIET, FOCUSED WORK

One of the things that motherhood does not offer is extended amounts of quiet space to get work done. I have been continually frustrated about not having time in front of a computer to work without interruptions.  So, instead of remaining in this frustration until my kids are older, I hired a babysitter for two afternoons/week this semester. She started this week, and the kids LOVED her. She played cards, Connect Four, and hide and seek – wow! I got to sit at a coffee shop and work on a grant for an upcoming conference.

I love that goals can help you address areas of frustration that just don’t have to be there.

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