Setting Monthly Goals as a Christian Mom + Free Goal Setting Template

Sharing is caring!

Setting monthly goals as a busy mom may feel like just another item to add to your “to do” list. However, setting goals is a powerful practice that will direct your steps for the upcoming month. If you have big dreams or simply just need to “get it together,” taking the time to sit down and write out your goals for the month ahead can be life-changing.

As a former Project Manager, I’m very familiar with mapping out goals and project plans that lead to impactful transformations. As I transitioned to becoming a stay-at-home-mom after nearly a decade of start-up and corporate life, I found myself so grateful that I was blessed with those experiences. I was able to transition well into solely focusing on my home and children, and it’s become my mission to share all of my knowledge with sahms who may be struggling.

Today, I want to walk you through why and how you should set monthly goals and gift you a free template and journal prompts that will help direct your steps.

Download Your Free Template ↓

Why should you set monthly goals as a Christian SAHM?

There are many reasons why we should set goals. As Christians we should desire to consistently improve, leaning on the Lord and His spirit as we work to fulfill the good works He has planned. However, if we never make the time to “take our thoughts captive,” life will happen to us, rather that us living out our days to intentionally serve God and others.

Taking the time to write out our monthly goals, allows us the opportunity to take our thoughts captive. Plus writing them down makes you over 40% more likely to achieve your goals!

“Taking your thoughts captive” is something I’ve been seeing A LOT in recent months. Whether this is a trend, or simply God after my heart (or both!), I’ve really enjoyed learning how to put this in practice. My very own pastor even wrote a book about renewing your mind called “Every Thought Captive” and it’s been a wonderful and practical read!

Jesus made an excellent point in Luke 14. He says, ^“28 Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.”

²⁸ Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.

Luke 14:28-30 (NIV)

We set goals so that we can intentionally live out God’s plan for our lives.

How do you set monthly goals?

For me, my monthly goals are based on a vision we’ve set for our family, but also where I feel the Lord leading me. I set aside some quiet time and follow these 6 critical steps when setting my monthly goals:

1. Pray over your monthly goals.

I listed this one first because for many of us, self included, it’s the easiest to forget. If you are a recovering “goal getter” or “boss babe”, it can be really difficult to pump the brakes and pray to the Lord. It’s humbling to sit before Him and ask what is HIS will for me. What will glorify Him and serve others?

The goal is not to pray and simply ask for a blessing of my plan (although I have been guilty of this in the past). I’ve been working towards intentionality in my prayers and goal setting. Here are some prompts you could use if you struggle with this like I have:

• Lord, please shine a light on the great gifts you’ve given me. How I can wield those to glorify You or serve others?
• Lord, I’m considering “XYZ”, could you help me see through Your Word or others if this is Your will for me? Would you please stop me somehow if it’s not?
• Lord, I want to set goals that you have intended for me. Will you show me where my primary focus should be?
• Lord, as I set my goals, please do not let them become an idol of mine. Keep my eyes and heart fixed on You and Your will, not my pride or accomplishments.

Don’t forget to pin these tips for later! ↓

2. Identify ONE priority for each focus area: spiritual health, children, marriage, household, and personal.

This one is tough. As moms, we manage so many things from creating grocery lists and meals to tying tiny shoes and constantly wiping tears, noses, and bottoms. Not to mention the endless cycle of cleaning and laundry. We desire the best in every area of our lives, but we have to reign in those desires. Desires can lead to distractions if we aren’t intentional.

Choose just ONE? I know I certainly struggle with this! However, I’ve found that when I’m not intentional about my primary focus for the month in each of these areas I end up doing one of two things:

1. I naturally let one thing become the priority and later feel bad that I didn’t do anything else, prompting feelings of disappointment and discouragement.
2. I become so distracted and focus on nothing. I do “a little of this” and “a little of that”. By the end of the month, there’s nothing to identify as progress and those feelings of disappointment and discouragement creep in.

While Scenario #2 is arguably worse than Scenario #1, neither are ideal. I know picking just one thing in each area is a challenge when we have big hearts and a drive to live out our lives for the Lord. But remember what Jesus says in Luke 14:28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”  

You have to know the costs for achieving your goals. Busy moms do not have capacity to conquer multiple goals at once in several different areas, while also maintaining a heart for the Lord and serving others, which is ultimately what we are called to do.

We all have different circumstances and talents. But ultimately, we all have the same 24 hours in a day. We have to use discernment to know how we should use those hours to steward the gifts and talents the Lord has graciously provided.

3. Identify things that will support you.

Identify what resources, rhythms, and blessings that can help you achieve your goals. They could be any of the following:

• Routines & daily rhythms that are working well — morning quiet time with the Lord, simple meals, predictable rhythms (as predictable as they can be with littles!)
• Godly relationships with family and friends — people who will spur you on to do good works
• Self respect for your basic needs – ensuring you are getting enough rest and eating well

You need to know what will support you. Having a support system ensures you will more easily be able to stay the course. You need to know what’s working so you do what you can to protect them.

If you’re lacking in these areas… see #5 below!

Meal planning is a way that I feel supported in my daily rhythms. I created a simple meal planner that mimics the way I plan our meals. I’ve been doing this for years. Feel free to grab that below! ↓

4. Acknowledge current roadblocks and determine how you will overcome those obstacles.

Before we even start working towards our goals, we need to remove any known roadblocks. You can have the perfect map to reach a destination, but if you do not have the means to get there, you never will. Below are some common obstacles moms face:

• Unpredictable routines – If this is you, I walk you through how to create a simple SAHM schedule in this post. You can also grab the free printable as well to help you map out your days quickly and efficiently!
• Perfectionism – Have you made perfection an idol? Or what others think of you an idol? You cannot be obedient to what He has called you to do if you’re letting perfection get in the way.
• Comparison – If you struggle with comparison, I’d encourage you to limit your consumption, especially on social media. I left Instagram after some conviction from the Lord, and it has felt so freeing! I was on the fence and then He confirmed it through Lana from Girl, Teach Me! I’d encourage you to check out her story on how she left Instagram.

5. Know what could hinder you and prepare.

One of my favorite ways to set myself up for success is to think through Good, Better, and Best. As busy moms, there is always a chance something could come up.

I like to give the example of setting a goal for exercise. How easily that can get interrupted when we have littles! The kids didn’t sleep in or nap. The baby is clingy. If you set a goal to workout everyday, but things come up consistently, you need a way to follow through.

This is where Good, Better, and Best saves me. I choose baselines for each of these that I can fall back on when the “Best” option just isn’t on the table for that day. For example:

• Best: I will workout for 45 minutes.
• Better: I will move my body for at least 30 minutes.
• Good: I will go for a 20-minute walk around the neighborhood with the kids.

6. Posture your heart with gratitude.

I obviously think goal setting is important, but we need to do so with a heart that is focused on the Lord as Christian moms. We have to be careful that our goals and our pride and accomplishments do not become an idol.

We need to acknowledge the many blessings, big and small, that the Lord has provided. If our goals are always about “me, myself, and I,” that’s not reflective of someone who is thankful and content in our current circumstances. Our motivations should be able to point back to Him and serving His kingdom.

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

There’s definitely been times in my life where my identity was caught up in my accomplishments. This is not the truth. My identity is found in Christ, not my success. If I haven’t achieved a certain milestone as expected, but am still doing everything as unto the Lord, then I feel confident that I am on the right track.

Download the Free Goal Setting Template

Don’t forget to grab your free monthly goal setting template below!

Journal Prompts for Setting Monthly Goals as a Christian Mom

Along with the goal setting template, I want to leave you with some journal prompts that can help you think through planning your goals with your heart set on God.

• What gifts has the Lord blessed me with that I can leverage to set realistic goals?
• How do I imagine this bringing glory to God? Who am I serving?
• How can I simply our days in order to make time for what the Lord has called me to do? (Ideas for Simplifying Your Life can be found here!)
• Is this goal based on where God is leading me or based on worldly desires or expectations?
• What obstacles are impacting my ability to move forward with my goals and how can I overcome those obstacles?
• How much time do I realistically have to work towards this goal? Will it cause stress or constraints that impact my family?
• Am I trusting God with my goals? (Side note: If this is something you are struggling with, I highly encourage you to read this post about How to Trust God’s Timing With Your Goals.)
• How can I live out Galatians 6:9 and follow through on goals that the Lord wants me to prioritize?

⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Final Words of Encouragement

Setting monthly goals shouldn’t feel like just another “to do” on your “To Do” list. It should be an opportunity for you to set intention for your the next few weeks and live for the glory of God and serving others. This simple practice of leveraging the journal prompts, spending time in prayer, and writing out strategic goals will help you live with purpose and peace, knowing that you are living out His calling for your life.

Pin These Tips for Setting Monthly Goals

Before you go, be sure to save these tips and template so you can reference them anytime!