5 Steps to Accomplishing a Personal Goal After Becoming a Parent

When someone becomes a parent, it’s not uncommon for other things to be put on hold. Plans to pursue a college degree, learn a new language, or play a musical instrument take a back seat to caring for the child.

Nevertheless, as many parents already have demonstrated, it is indeed possible to pursue and realize a personal goal while raising a child. If you’re thinking of doing likewise, consider these tips for how to achieve goals after becoming a parent:

Plan ahead.

Before starting any new project, take time to develop a strategy and answer any questions that might come up. Planning ahead can help you decide whether or not achieving a particular goal is feasible at this moment in your life.

Ask for help.

Once you have a plan in place, seek assistance from other people. If you know that you will be busy on certain nights, ask your spouse or a friend if he or she can watch your child. Focusing on a goal doesn’t mean that you have to do everything alone or that others won’t be willing to help you achieve it.

Get into a routine.

After a few days or weeks, decide on a schedule that works best for you and then stick to it as best as possible. Doing so will help you manage your time more efficiently and keep you on track toward achieving your goal.

Take advantage of any free time.

Believe it or not, free time will surface somewhere in your schedule. Once you’ve identified it, use it in whatever way helps you the most. For example, maybe you could fit in an extra 30 minutes of studying after your child goes to bed, or maybe you could use that time to spend with your spouse. Either way, make sure to not waste the free time and to use it in whatever way suits you best.

Know your limits.

Don’t push yourself too hard. If this isn’t the right time in your life to achieve a particular goal, that’s OK. You’ll have a better understanding of the workload and time commitment and be better prepared to tackle your goal later on.