Setting Goals: Turning Hope into Reality
Category: Parenting Tips
April 7, 2025
It’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day of life, especially if you’re raising kids. Working with families to imagine their future and set goals is part of every program at Any Baby Can.
Some moms and dads know exactly where they want to go—personally, professionally, or as a family—and we support them in that. But for many parents, just thinking about the future can feel overwhelming.
We talked with a nurse in our Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program to get tips for goal setting—and goal achieving!—that anyone can use.
What are goals?
The idea of goal setting may not resonate with everyone depending on their stage in life, culture, background or current circumstances. But everyone has dreams and aspirations. We think of goal setting as simply an opportunity to plan for the future and incorporate more of what makes you happy and fulfilled.
Think about the idea of emotional refueling or “refilling your cup.” Fill a cup with water, and then slowly pour out a little bit for each thing that takes your energy. It can be anything: Work drama, stress about a medical appointment, financial strain, relationship challenges. As we think about what drains us, we can see that the cup empties quickly! It’s hard to take care of other people if you don’t take care of yourself. We set goals around things that will help fill your cup back up.
What makes setting goals feel hard?
There’s not one perfect way to plan for your future! Sometimes the goals come easily: I want to exercise 30 minutes 3 times per week. But sometimes it can feel vague: I want to feel better. It’s important to dig down a little deeper to find what specific things motivate and encourage you.
We do something called motivational interviewing where we facilitate conversations about what’s important to a family and where they’re looking to change. Here are some questions you can ask:
- What are some things that you want for yourself or for your child?
- If you picture the perfect ideal day, what would you be doing?
- Where do you see yourself in one year or five years?
- What makes you feel good?
You are the expert in your own life. Goals must originate from within, not be imposed by someone else. You don’t want it to be a chore or something extra that stresses you out, or you’re less likely to accomplish your goals.
How ready are you for change?
Sometimes we have lots of hopes and aspirations! It helps to understand the underlying reason and timing for each goal. Consider, on a scale from 1-10, how important is this goal to you? Then challenge yourself to think: Ok, why is this a 2 and not an 8? Would it be more important at a different time? Or why did you say it’s a 10 right now? Taking time to understand your own motivation helps you accomplish the tasks when things feel hard!
Another thing to consider is: Who’s going to support you? Identify friends and family who want you to succeed and let them know what you’re working on. Any Baby Can staff are perfect partners on your journey! We can provide resources, tools, accountability, affirmation and so much more to help you set and meet goals!
Be Specific and Address Challenges
Differentiate between long-term (e.g., career, education) and short-term (e.g., weekly activities) goals. Then break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. Finally, reflect on how it feels. Here are a few examples:
Get a diploma or GED
- Long term: I want to graduate high school.
- Short term: I need to actually get to class.
- Brainstorm solutions to challenges for short-term goals: Transportation to school is an issue. Who can you ask for a ride? Can you figure out a bus route?
- Reflection: How did it feel? Are you less stressed about assignments? Are you connecting with friends more?
Find work
- Long term: I want to find work or a better job.
- Short term: Apply for a few jobs each week. How many jobs can you apply for this week? What feels manageable?
- Brainstorm solutions to challenges for short-term goals: I don’t have dedicated time to apply for jobs. Try making a daily schedule. What days are less busy? Is there someone that can help for an hour so you can apply to a job?
- Reflection: What benefits have you felt from doing these things toward your goal? Have you realized that you’re interested in one career instead of another? Do you feel proud?
Make friends with other parents
- Long term: I want to have a better friend network.
- Short term: I need to get out of the house more.
- Brainstorm solutions to challenges for short-term goals: I don’t know what to do and it’s scary to go alone. Check out our community events, or follow some accounts on social media to get ideas (the public library, WIC, the community recreation center near you).
- Reflection: How did it feel? Maybe you felt vulnerable, but you were also energized by getting out of the house. Did your baby have fun? Did it feel good to laugh?
You Are Enough
It’s important to remember that it’s not always about pushing or achieving more, but you should also celebrate how far you’ve come! If you’ve found peace and stability, simply maintaining that is a worthwhile goal. Being in a safe and secure place in your life is valid and valuable.
Final Tips for Setting Goals
Everyone is unique! Maybe you know where you want to be in five years; or you’re just getting through the week. Maybe you like to write in a journal and make checklists, or maybe you prefer a friend checking in on you. Start somewhere and have an open mind about how setting personal and family goals makes you feel!
- Start small: Begin with achievable goals to build confidence.
- Focus on personal values: Choose goals that are meaningful and motivating.
- Break it down: Divide large goals into smaller, manageable tasks.
- Seek support: Identify people who can offer help and encouragement.
- Reflect on success: Let yourself feel the positive outcomes of working towards goals.
- Celebrate progress: Acknowledge and reward your accomplishments.
- Focus on what you can control: Start on the things that you can do right now, and not just the end result.
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