Happy New Year my friends! As I look back at 2012, I realize that while it wasn’t bad, it could have been better. But, the past is just that and I am aiming to move forward in 2013. I don’t exactly have resolutions, but I do have goals in mind. I have things I want and need to do this year – for myself, my business, and my family.

Goals for myself include taking better care of myself. Outside of the usual New Year’s goals of eating better and exercise, I also need to take care of my health and am starting the year with various doctor’s appointments to schedule. I also want to create a regular self-care routine so that I don’t go 2 months without a pedicure, or a week without washing my hair. I get caught up in the daily routine and the rush of getting ready with the kids around, that I don’t often take the time to do much beyond the basics.

My inner self needs love too and this year I’d like to read more, learn something new, and just work on growing my knowledge. I feel like my brain is mush much of the time and need to change that.

I have several goals for my business as well, though I’m still figuring out the logistics and steps required to achieve them. But, 2013 needs to be a year of business growth regardless of how I get there.

Working on all these areas of my life will ultimately help my family. In the end, that is my biggest goal for 2013: to be a better mother, wife, daughter, and person. There are just so many pieces that go into completing that goal; I have to take them one at a time.

What is your main goal (or resolution) for 2013?

Photo: Ramos Alejandro/Flickr

“Mommy, I want to tell you something that’s a little weird.”

Hesitantly, I answered, “Um, ooook, go ahead.”

“I made a promise to myself.”

I immediately thought that she was probably talking about goals, but I asked her for more information to be sure.

“I made a pinky promise to myself that I would eat this chicken all the way to the bone,” she said holding up the drumstick in her hand. It’s important to note that she is not a big fan of meat, in general, and has hardly ever eaten an entire piece of chicken (she usually picks at it). So, this was a big deal, and she knew it.

I proceeded to explain to her that this was, in fact, not so weird. I told her what a goal was and how it’s sort of the same thing as making a promise to yourself. “You’re telling yourself you want to do something, or work toward something. That’s almost like making yourself a promise to do something.”

Her eyes opened wide as she realized I was describing what she’d done. She had just learned the meaning of setting a goal for herself. I loved the fact that she came about it on her own; it certainly made the concept that much easier to explain.

Do your kids know what a goal is? How did you explain the idea of goals to them?

Photo: Kayla