In our professional lives, many of us have been accustomed to maintaining SMART goals, that is, goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For a good number of us, we have seen firsthand how keeping this kind of measuring system for ourselves can result in increased productivity and success.
Considering that the keeping of goals is such an efficient practice for other facets of our life, it is surprising that many of us don’t make it a habit to keep track of the goals that we have that are related to personal relationships such as family relationships. However uncommon it may be, goal-setting is a practice that lends itself surprisingly well to familial relationships and can help households strive to be happier and healthier.
In this article, we will go over some common metrics to track if you would like to set goals for you and your family — so stay tuned if you want to improve your family dynamics but are unsure of where to begin.
6 Family Goals to Strive for That Make a Happy Home
Exercise Goals
There’s no other way around it — a healthy family makes a happy family. And there is no better way to seek out a healthier lifestyle than to commit to it together as a family unit. Starting a road to a better lifestyle could take the shape of many forms, but ideally you and your family will take a holistic approach that encompasses your diet, your exercise routine, and your mental health.
In terms of diet, one option is to start with small steps such as replacing snacks that are high in sugar or sodium with fruit or vegetables. Exercise can benefit from the same small steps, such as taking a walk together in the evening of commiting to completing some errands on foot. In terms of mental health, something as simple as cutting back on screen time every night can be surprisingly beneficial.
School Goals
If you have young children or teenagers in your family, chances are that they are attending some form of school. While it may seem as if school performance only has an effect on the future of the individual child, the reality is that a child’s academic career can have an effect on the household as a whole.
If you set a goal for your child’s academic performance, it’s likely that your child will feel more supported and motivated. This goal could be something as simple as improving a low grade or completely homework before a certain time every night.
Leisurely Goals
Every family has to have fun, even in the busiest of times. This is why the fun or leisurely goals that you set for your family are just as important, if not more important, than the other more practical goals on this list. After all, engaging in enjoyable activities is a great way to improve family bonding, which is sure to improve your overall family health.
Leisurely goals can take many different forms, and are largely dependent on what your family’s interests and pastimes are. For some families, a leisurely goal could take the form of committing to a family board game once a week, while for other families it could mean aspiring to take at least one family vacation or adventure per year.
Financial Goals
And now, we return to the less riveting goals on this list. Although financial goals may not be the most exciting topic, they remain an important part of the mechanisms of any family. It may be unfortunate, but the reality is that it is difficult to have a family that is physically or mentally healthy without also achieving some form of financial health.
Unlike the other goals on this list, financial goals are best handled by the adults in the households, as it can be quite stressful for younger family members. In some cases, it may be beneficial for you to consult a professional such as a financial advisor who can help you chart the best path for your finances. In most cases, though, just an old-fashioned monthly budget can do the trick.
Charitable Goals
It’s a well-known fact that volunteering together as a household can go a long way in encouraging a strong family bond as well as a strong sense of family pride. If you have the means, it may be a good idea to set some charitable goals that you can keep as a family to ensure that your willingness to help the community doesn’t diminish.
For some families, this may mean committing to volunteering for toy drives during the holiday season. For some families, it may mean making drop-offs to the food bank a regular part of their routine. It may be a good idea to sit down as a family and make a decision about where your values align and where you think you could make the biggest impact.
Romantic Goals
This last one is just specific to you and your spouse — but it’s worth a mention because they’re family, too! As most people in long-term relationships know, romantic bonds are something that can be easily taken for granted. After all, even something as small as romantic gestures can take considerable effort, especially within our very busy lives!
However, even if you take a small amount of time to nurture the relationship between you and your romantic partner, you will see the benefits unfold within your greater family unit.