Goal Setting

Simple lifestyle changes can make it easier to raise happy, healthy families. Deciding which changes you want to make is as easy as 1-2-3-4-5. Here’s how to set goals.

1. Take a close look at your lifestyle. What changes would improve your family’s health? Maybe your family is always tired and needs a routine for
   getting to bed on time. Some families want to cut down on sugary drinks or watch less TV. Others know they would benefit from having smaller portion sizes or eating breakfast every day. Still others want fewer child tantrums at mealtimes.
2. Write down your goals for improving your family’s health. Every HomeStyles guide lists examples of goals other families have set. They can give you ideas for goals for your family.
3. Pick a goal to work on first and make a plan to reach it. For instance, think about how your family could have breakfast every day. Before bed, you could make sandwiches for everyone to eat at breakfast. If your family isn’t hungry when they wake up, put breakfast bars in the car to eat on the way to work and school.
4. Follow your plan every day. Keeping track of progress toward a goal helps you follow your plan. It helps you think about what else you can do to get to that goal. So give it a try with the HomeStyles Tracker that comes with each guide.
5. Reward your family each time they reach a goal 5 times. Be sure not to use food as a reward. Instead, go play in the park, go swimming, or have a family fun night. Each HomeStyles Tracker has ideas for fun family rewards.

Set Priorities! What is really important to you? How do you spend your time? If the way you spend your time is not important or necessary, then it is time to make changes. For example, is it more important to spend more time with your kids or have a clean house? You decide! If both are important, get the kids to help you clean.

Work on Easy Changes First! Really big goals can be scary. Try something small first. For example, if you want to cut back on sugary drinks, try having a little less when you drink them. Keep making these small changes to add up to a big change. Working on easy changes first can help you make harder changes later.

Give Yourself Enough Time! Making changes can be stressful. Your lifestyle has developed over many years—trying to change overnight is too frustrating. So take it slow.

Give Yourself a Pat on the Back! You are probably already doing many things to help your family. While you are making changes, don’t forget to think about the things you already do and keep doing them.

Track Your Progress! Using the tracker sheet that goes with each HomeStyles guide makes it easy to see when you reach goals and your family deserves a reward for a job well done!

Stay Motivated! Keep motivated by remembering how much you adore your family and that you can take steps to keep them healthy.

Encourage Your Family! Keep your family moving by rewarding them for making lifestyle changes and reaching goals.

Got Off Track? Just Start Again! Even small, simple steps make big differences! If you get off track, just start again. Or, choose another guide that may be easier for your family.