New Year's resolutions focused on values
So instead of traditional New Year's resolutions this year, why not focus on your family's values, especially ones that have become clear during the pandemic, whether that's being with friends, protecting the environment, or doing more voluntary work, and figuring out how to keep those going into the new year. Here’s how to get your family started.
How to set family goals
Examine your family's values. Start by asking: "What's important to us? What are our priorities? Is it family time, education, faith, philanthropy?" Then ask, "Are we living a life consistent with our values?”.
Putting plans into place for the future can be reassuring to kids after a stressful year, Setting goals can bring that sense of control when things feel so chaotic and it can bring a sense of normalcy. Plus, the experience of setting a goal and then achieving it can feel really good, its empowering for children and the process of goal setting can offer children a blueprint for how to be successful in the future.
How to make goals stick
For anyone who's set a resolution to drop 20 pounds only to give up by February, you know sticking to a new goal can be tricky. The solution is to keep your goals simple and break them down into smaller parts so you don’t lose sight of an overwhelming goal. Taking small steps towards a goal can be more rewarding.
Coming up with goals
So what do families want in 2022? Mostly they want things to get back to normal, but some new goals have emerged from the last couple of years…
• Staying connected with friends and family
• Being patient with elderly parents
• Helping the children more with their homework
• Working less hours and focusing on family values
• Family walks and cycles
• Making home time fun time
• Growing your own fruit and vegetables
• Staying healthy
And on that note here’s a link to my New Year, New You article…
