A Guide to Setting Goals for 2024

Each week , I'm bringing you interviews with accomplished and talented moms who have made their creative dreams a reality . I talk to writers , artists , musicians and entrepreneurs who have successfully found a way to do what they love while raising the ones they love .

Some of the writers I talk to are New York Times bestselling authors , while some are self-published first-time authors . I also share my own insights and resources to help you navigate the unique challenges of being a mom who creates .

So , whether you're an early bird or a night owl , a seasoned pro or just starting out , I want you to know that you can pursue your creative passions and be an amazing mom at the same time . Grab a cup of coffee , a notebook and get ready to join our community of like-minded moms who are on a mission to live intentionally and create with purpose .

This is the Moms who Create podcast , and I can't wait to share this journey with you . Hi everyone , and welcome back to this week's episode of the Moms who Create podcast . So Christmas is next week . I'm pretty much done Christmas shopping and really my mind is already focused on goal setting for 2024 . I've just already skipped ahead .

I love a good reset , do you ? Mondays are one of my favorite days of the week . The favorites are obviously the weekends , but there's something about a good reset that I love . And the ultimate reset is January 1st . So , as we stand on the edge of a new year , mothers who are creatives find themselves at this unique intersection of responsibilities and passions .

The canvas of 2024 is blank and isn't that exciting . It's waiting for your strokes of art and words and intentionality . So in this episode , we'll dive into the art of setting goals that not only harmonize the demands of motherhood with the pursuit of artistic endeavors , but also pave the way for personal growth and honesty fulfillment .

So let's start this chat of reflection , planning and renewal . So we're going to start with this first one . That just needs to be said embracing realism in goal setting . The foundation of successful goal setting lies really in realism . It does . It's far from a realist , but this is super important . As a mom , your time and energy are precious resources .

Begin by understanding your current circumstances . Consider the age of your children , your support system and the time that you realistically have each day for your creative pursuits . Acknowledge your strengths and limitations , ensuring that the goals are challenging yet achievable . Again , challenging yet achievable .

Set specific and measurable objectives , like completing a certain number of creative projects , learning new skills , skills don't you just love my southern accent learning new skills , or dedicating a specific amount of time to your craft each week . The realism will serve as a compass . It'll be a compass guiding you through the year with a clear sense of purpose .

Going back to challenging yet achievable . We're busy . We do a lot , you know , if you think well , realistically , I don't have any time to write this book . That's not challenging yourself . Listen to any episode of mine , listen to literally any interview with a mom that I've done . They all say that you have to make time , make time , make time .

Challenge yourself realistically . Now let's move on to a fun one . Okay , number two crafting a vision board . I love a good vision board . Visualizing is a potent tool for manifesting your dreams . Consider creating a vision board that serves as a visual representation of your creative and personal goals for 2024 .

I've started in mind and I'm already so stinking inspired . If you don't really know how to start , okay here , collect images , quotes and just some sort of symbol that resonates with your 2024 aspirations . What do you wanna accomplish next year ? What do you wanna accomplish ? What do you wanna do ? What inspired you to do that ?

Arrange them on a board or in a digital format , like you know , like Pinterest , creating a visual narrative of the future that you envision . Right , it's pretty simple . Put your vision board in like a prominent location .

I encourage you to actually print one out so you can just see it often , wherever you spend the most time , whether it's in your office , in the kitchen , in the bathroom , wherever you spend the most time , you know the bathroom actually might be a good spot , because what else are you gonna do in there ? Let's just put it at eye level on the toilet .

You never know . It could work . It could work . I'm a visual person and I get inspired hardcore by even the smallest inspirational quote . If you're a visual person , too , try this . It really doesn't take long . If your goals change and pivot throughout the year , then just change your vision board alongside it too . Aim high . Don't forget to aim high .

Okay , you got this dude . Number three is the importance of self-care . You know I had to put this in right . A crucial aspect of sustainable , sustainable creativity is self-care Sustainable keyword . Mothers often find themselves juggling like 57,000 responsibilities , leaving little time for personal wellbeing .

However , neglecting self-care can lead to burnout and hinder your creative pursuits . If you go all the way back to episode 36 , I talk with Jacqueline Kerr about burnout and she has really really wonderful things to say , and she actually has a TEDx talk that we talk about , where she just discusses burnout .

I had burnout a few months ago , I'm not gonna lie , and I went back to that episode and just revisited it . Oh , it helped me . She's amazing , but don't let yourself get to that point . Establish a self-care routine that includes like short breaks for mindfulness , moments of relaxation with just like a good book or a different hobby , and also regular exercise .

I started walking at least about three times a week with one of my mom friends . We meet after we drop off our kids in the morning and we walk about three miles . We just chit-chat about life . Just walking in a local park feels so good for my body . Getting started is the hard part , but you'll totally think yourself when you're done . I don't like exercise .

I mean , I like it when I'm doing it , but it takes a lot for me to get started . I'll just be transparent there . But remember nurturing yourself is not a luxury but a necessity for maintaining balance and sustaining creativity . Self-care is a necessity . I beg you to prioritize that in 2024 or now .

Let's start now actually Planning a whole year can just look like this huge mountain you have to tackle right . So let's talk about number four , setting micro goals , and let's say micro goals for macro success . I like that . I type that . I was like . I like that .

The journey to achieving larger goals is often made more manageable by breaking them down into smaller , more achievable tasks . Think of your goals as a puzzle . Each micro goal is a piece of that . So each tiny goal you have makes up your whole picture . It takes a bunch of little ones to make like the final piece , the final picture . You know what I'm saying .

This approach not only makes your objectives like less daunting , but provides just a continuous sense of accomplishment as you complete each step . So start by outlining the steps required to achieve your larger goals . Small chunks , dude . I look at the whole picture of anything and , admittedly , I just shut down . I don't , I don't do anything .

Are you like that too ? But if there are many goals , many , mini , many goals along the way , the entire process seems completely doable and absolutely attainable , whether it's like drafting a novel , completing an art series or launching just a creative business . Breaking down the process into smaller tasks allows you to celebrate those incremental victories along the way .

Always celebrate Success to yourself can be addicting , and if you break it down , you'll always be completing these goals , so you'll always have a chance to celebrate . Okay , number five reflecting on the past and the learning from it . What is it that ?

This wasn't in my notes , but do you remember on the Lion King , where Rafiki , like , hits him on the head and says what does he say ? He's out on Okay , I just paused and looked it up . Rafiki said oh yes , the past can hurt , but from the way I see it , you can either run from it or learn from it . That just popped into my head .

Before leaping into the future , take a moment to look back at the past year . Reflect on your creative achievements and the challenges you faced and the lessons you've learned , what worked well in your creative process and what could be improved . This introspection serves as a compass for refining your goals for the upcoming year .

So let's consider things like journaling , about our experiences capturing you know all the successes and all the setbacks . You got to acknowledge what absolutely sucked , so you know how to improve . Use this reflection to identify patterns , strengths and all your areas for growth . This is important . I say that a lot because this is all important . It really is .

But I'm here to tell you this Learning from your past ensures that you approach 2024 with a newfound wisdom and resilience , ready to overcome challenges and seize those opportunities . For example , I hear people love listening and watching podcasts on YouTube . Now Do I record , edit and also put all these episodes on YouTube ? It's a ton of work .

It's it be a lot more . I'm not gonna lie . It would be a lot more than what I do now and I do a lot now . But will it gain new listeners ? Yeah , probably . Okay , let's try it . Someone hold me to this . Really , I think I'm going to try this in 2024 . I'm going to also put some of the interviews on YouTube . We'll see . We'll see .

Number six should I say this is important ? You already know this . Okay , get a supportive network . Motherhood in general can be solitary at times , but the power of community cannot be overstated . Surround yourself with a supportive network of fellow creatives and mothers who understand that unique intersection of mom and creative .

Join online groups , attend local meetups , engage with communities that share your passion . I have lots of episodes on this . Dive in , share your goals with your network and you're going to open the door to valuable insights , encouragement and accountability .

Accountability is something that I love and I think is so , so , so important in whatever journey you're going through . Collaborate with others on creative projects , exchange ideas and draw inspiration from the diverse experiences within your community . The sense of belonging to a supportive network can be like a catalyst for achieving your goals .

Find your people , and I'm here for you too . Side note message me anytime you want . I'll either respond instantly or it'll take about three business days , depending on my time in life that day . But I'm here for you and I got you . I'm rooting you on and I'm always supporting you . Last one , number seven embracing flexibility .

Life , especially life as a mother , is totally unpredictable . The creative process too often takes unexpected turns . Embrace flexibility as a guided principle in your goal setting journey .

While structure is essential , very essential , being open to like adapting your goals as circumstances change is equally important , and you guys have probably already learned this as being mothers . Consider your goals as a roadmap rather than like a rigid itinerary . Life may present unforeseen challenges or opportunities that require adjustments to all of these plans .

So by maintaining flexibility , you can navigate the beautiful chaos of motherhood while staying committed to all of your creative pursuits . View detours as opportunities for growth and exploration rather than obstacles . Adina Reicher , who I've had on the podcast before and also she designed my logos for the podcast . She's amazing . She once said embrace the detours .

And I've never forgotten that . I don't have any tattoos , but I would love to get that on me as a reminder . Embrace the detours . All right , ladies , did that help you ? I hope I said a few things that resonated and just got you excited to plan for the new year .

As you embark on the journey into 2024 , envision your goals with a blend of ambition and understanding . The art of setting goals is not just about reaching your destination . It's about really savor in that journey and evolving during the way .

By embracing realism , crafting a vision , prioritizing self-care , setting micro goals , reflecting on the past , cultivating a supporting network and embracing flexibility , you can navigate the intricate dance of motherhood and creativity with grace . And don't forget to give yourself a lot of grace along the way .

May the coming year be a canvas for new experiences , growth and the realization of your creative dreams . Here's to a fresh start in a very , very fulfilling 2024 .

Thank you so much for listening . Again , I hope you found this episode helpful , inspirational and gave you a little bit of a push to get started for next year . If you like the episode , please share it on social media . I would be forever grateful if you could do that , but connect with me on social media , at mom's create podcast , on Instagram and Facebook .

Thank you so much for listening . So so much for listening . Let's end the year strong and I'll see you next week .