How Working Moms Can Set Goals Without Burning Out
Happy New Year!!! 🎉
You made it, Mama—to 2026. And I don’t want to rush past that moment too quickly. The fact that you’re here, breathing, still showing up for your family, still dreaming, still hoping, still believing God has more for you—that matters. I’m genuinely grateful for another year to walk alongside moms like you, encouraging you to care for your mental health while walking boldly in your God-given purpose.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room: New Year’s resolutions.
I gave up that term a long time ago. Honestly, it reminds me of that old saying, “Rules are made to be broken.” LOL! And if we’re being real, many resolutions are just that—made to be broken. Not because we’re lazy or undisciplined, but because most resolutions are built on unrealistic expectations, perfectionism, and pressure. As working moms, we often set these extreme goals in hopes of becoming our “best selves,” only to feel stressed, disappointed, guilty, and burned out by February.
And Mama, that is not the life God desires for you.
It is okay to set goals—but let’s do it in a way that protects your peace, honors your season, and supports your mental health.
Why Traditional Goal-Setting Often Leads to Burnout for Working Moms
As a working mom, you’re already running multiple marathons every day. You’re balancing work, parenting, relationships, faith, responsibilities, and often everyone else’s needs before your own. When January comes around, we tend to pile more onto an already full plate without adjusting expectations. That’s a recipe for burnout.
In previous blogs, we’ve talked about the power of the pause, how burnout sneaks in when we don’t slow down, and why balance and boundaries matter more than hustle. Goal-setting should support your life—not drain it.
The issue isn’t that you’re setting goals. The issue is how you’re setting them. Start With Your “Why,” Not Just the Goal.
One thing I’ve learned—both personally and professionally—is that goals become more sustainable when they’re rooted in your why. Let’s use a real-life example. Say your goal is to lose weight. (And let’s be honest… yes, I want to lose weight too. LOL!)
Instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” and stopping there, ask yourself: Why?
Maybe your deeper why is:
You want more energy
You want to feel stronger
You want to be healthier for your family
You want to steward your body well
So instead of focusing on the number on the scale, your goal becomes:
“I will move my body five days a week so I can be healthier.”
Now here’s the beauty of that shift: Even if the scale doesn’t move right away, you’re still winning. You’re still becoming healthier. You’re still honoring your body. That’s how goals stop feeling stressful and start feeling purposeful.
Give Yourself Grace—You’re a Working Mom
Let me remind you of something important: You are a working mom.
Not a robot.
Not a superhero.
Not a machine that never gets tired.
Grace has to be part of your goal-setting strategy.
Celebrate the small wins. Acknowledge progress—even when it’s slow. And stop comparing your journey to someone else’s highlight reel.
One practical strategy I love—and often recommend—is habit stacking. (The book Atomic Habits is an excellent read for this.)
Habit Stacking: Small Steps That Add Up
Habit stacking simply means attaching a new habit to something you already do every day. For example:
Every time you get in your car → drink water
Every bathroom break at work → do a few jumping jacks
Every time your smartwatch says “time to move” → actually move (yes, I’m talking to myself here too. LOL!)
These small, realistic habits don’t overwhelm your nervous system. They work with your lifestyle, not against it.
Remember: Consistency beats intensity.
Slow Down—You Don’t Have to Rush Into January
Just because it’s January doesn’t mean you need to have your entire year mapped out. Take a breath. One of the most powerful things you can do as a working mom is to pause before the Lord and ask, “God, what do You desire for me this year?”
Sit in silence.
Journal.
Pray.
Meditate on His Word.
This is not a one-size-fits-all journey. You are running your race at your pace. God’s grace is sufficient, and His Spirit will guide you step by step into purpose—not pressure.
If you don’t know what to work on yet, that’s okay. If you feel content where you are, that’s okay too.
Faith-Filled Goal Setting for 2026
Scripture reminds us in Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Your goals don’t need to be perfect—they need to be aligned.
Aligned with your season.
Aligned with your capacity.
Aligned with God’s peace.
And Mama, let me say this clearly:
Rest is not quitting.
Slowing down is not failing.
Adjusting goals is not weakness.
Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest, reassess, and realign.
A Gentle Reminder as You Step Into 2026
You don’t need to become someone new this year. You need to care for the woman you already are.
Set goals that support your mental health. Choose habits that nurture your body and spirit. Invite God into the process—not just the outcome.
And when you stumble? Because you will—we all do—remember this:
You are not behind.
You are not failing.
You are learning.
Mama, you are allowed to grow without burning out.
Here’s to a year of grace-filled goals, intentional living, and trusting God one small step at a time. 💛
