As you start the new year, many people will take time to set their goals for 2008. This is a wonderful exercise and idea. Goal setting is known by people who excel in their field. This also includes moms who work at home. You have best job in the world, raising future leaders. So its good to be prepared by setting goals and achieving them - where everybody's goal is attained.

In setting goals, the first thing is to be as a Mom focused for each particular day. Goal give quick and long term motivation as you set your schedules. The goals I set help me save time and help to utilize my resources properly so that I stay focused on the tasks. This gives me a chance to enlighten myselft and share that knowledge with my kids.

WHY SET GOALS?

You may be saying to yourself, why do I need to set any goals? God will show me what to do each day and I rest in Him. You have discovered a great truth as you rest in your faith and this is necessary as you follow God's direction. BUT, setting clearly defined short-term and long-term goals will enable you to measure your progress as you raise your children and grow in Christ. As you achieve your goals, you will be motivated to follow God.

Don't you feel great when you cross something off your list? I sure do! It's the same way with goals. As you complete short-term goals, you begin to see accomplishment that leads to that fantastic feeling or realizing your final goals.

Do you ever go through the day, feeling like you're not sure what else needs to be done or feeling like you wasted your day away?

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

GOAL SETTING BASICS - WHERE DO WE START?

1. Think deeply on what you really want to do as you bring up your kids to be leaders in God's image. These will be your lifetime goals for all of you.

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. Break down goals into the smaller and manageable targets that you must complete. Put these sub-goals under the primary goal for each person in your family.

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. With your list created, don't waste time in working to achieve your goals.

In part 2, I will discuss putting your goals into action.