Creating a Family Goals Plan can be an excellent way for families to bond and work together toward common objectives, as well as help you have hope, achieve your dreams, and improve your quality of life.
Here are a few ideas for things to put in your Family Goals Plan:
Start a Weekly Ritual – Something as simple as a "family movie night" or a "family game night" can be a ritual that all family members enjoy. Consider coming up with a new routine that everyone agrees on and will be realistic to fulfill.
Budget and Save: Getting the whole family involved in a specific budgeting or savings goal can be an excellent way to teach positive money skills, keep each other motivated, and hold one another accountable. If you have kids, our Ways to Help Kids to Become Financially Smart article will provide you with more budgeting and saving ideas.
Practice Kindness: Kindness is a state of intentional actions meant to be friendly, generous, and considerate. There are many ways to practice kindness. As a family, think of ways to do something kind together. Making cookies for a neighbor, volunteering, taking clothes, toys, and household goods you no longer use to a local shelter are all examples of kindness. In our branches, we have donation bins where you can drop off items such as business attire, canned foods, or blankets for homeless college students. This is an ongoing program to help our local students so feel free to donate year around! Click here to learn more.
Start a Healthy Habit: Try to think of things that each family member can do to help create a healthier or safer lifestyle. Cutting back on sweets, exercising, not texting while driving, and spending time outside are examples of habits that can help keep the family healthy and safe.
Eat Meals Together: It's not always easy to find the time to eat meals together regularly, so even if you can't do this daily, you might be able to set a goal of eating together x nights a week or on specific days each week. For example, you might say that every Sunday and Tuesday is "family dinner night."
Here are some tips to help achieve Family Goal Plans and other personal goals.
Create goals that genuinely matter to your family rather than those that you think will impress others.
Make sure your goals are realistic. Consider the time and resources that it will take to achieve your ultimate goal.
Hold regular family meetings to discuss the progress of your goals. Give everyone the opportunity to speak up and try to keep the discussions encouraging rather than reprimanding.
Don't give up. If you find yourself going backward versus forward in achieving your goal, consider adjusting your plan to help you get back on track.
Finally, it's important to remember that your future is brimming with possibilities. Along with creating opportunities to bond and reconnect, a Family Goals Plan can be a great way to help your family achieve the things in life that matter the most to you.