Goal setting often focuses on the individual and their personal development. But what about the goals for the family as a whole?

Full honesty: it was not something I thought about until a few years ago, when we had our son. That was the year my husband and I sat down to establish our family values. From there, we worked on setting goals for our family — shared goals that keep us connected, focused, and always “on the same team.”

Of course, New Year’s resolutions do not always go perfectly, but they do provide your family a compass for navigating change and staying aligned.

Reality of Goal Setting for Military Families

Setting goals as a military family presents its own challenges. From frequent moves to unpredictable deployments, the military lifestyle can disrupt routines and shift priorities. Not to mention long-term planning often feels impossible, since the most stability you can hope for is the next two and a half years before the new orders roll in.

It is this unpredictability, though, that makes setting goals as a family so important in military life. Clear, shared objectives can provide focus, foster connection, and help everyone navigate the ups and downs of military life with purpose and intention.

Setting SMART Goals

The unpredictable nature of the military lifestyle can make it hard for families to stay focused or consistent in pursuing their goals. That’s where the SMART framework comes in, offering a simple strategy for creating realistic objectives that adapt to the ever-changing demands of military life.

Here’s how it works:

• Specific: Define a clear goal, such as: “Have a family day every Saturday.”
• Measurable: Choose a goal that can be tracked and schedule time to evaluate your progress. Biweekly family check-ins are a great option.
• Achievable: Military schedules are demanding, so aim for goals that fit your current reality. Start small and build from there.
• Relevant: Focus on what strengthens your family’s connection, communication, or well-being.
• Time-bound: Have a clear time frame to stay focused, track progress, and celebrate milestones.

Simple Methods for Goal Setting for Families

Often, military families have a clear sense of what they want to achieve, but it’s the next step that can feel daunting: figuring out how to turn those goals into action.

Here are some simple and adaptable methods for goal setting for families:

• Monthly Check-in Dinners – Set aside one meal each month to catch up as a family. For example, my husband and I hold a quarterly financial meeting. It is scheduled on our calendars; we come prepared and focus solely on our financial goals.
• Journaling Together – Keep a shared journal. Whether in written or digital form, or as a photo journal, this can help military families reflect, communicate, and preserve memories. This method could be especially beneficial during deployments, parent absence, or PCS moves.
• Creating a Family Vision Board – Perfect for families with children, crafting a vision board is a fun and creative project for all age groups. Update quarterly and place it in a central place in your home. Include dreams, goals, and core family values, as they can serve as a visual reminder of your family’s priorities and what truly matters to you.

Tips for Staying Motivated

The hardest part of goal setting for families is often just getting started. Start small. Choose a few areas that matter to your family, and, importantly, align with your family’s values. Some common categories include finances, spending more time together, health or well-being, family growth, community involvement, and travel.

Our family finds it easiest to see our goals laid out in one place. Use the chart below to get started with setting goals as a military family.

Once your goals are in place, the next step — and probably the most challenging one — is staying motivated, especially when life gets busy and unpredictable. Personally, I believe in quick and simple ways to stay organized without adding extra stress. Also, remember that celebrating progress is more important than keeping track!

Digital tools and goal-tracking apps are the go-to for many families. For the more old-fashioned families out there, like ours, having a physical copy might be more helpful. Other families, who need a bit of extra help, might even create a “goal buddy” system, pairing up to encourage each other and share accountability.

Overall, it is not a one-size-fits-all; it is a flexible system that works best for your family’s lifestyle and values.

Remember that it is progress, not perfection, that matters the most. We are all humans, and it is okay if you don’t achieve every goal on your list. Don’t get discouraged; instead, use it as a learning opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate, rather than seeing it as a failure!

How ASYMCA Programs Support Military Family Goals

Planning to start your New Year’s resolution list as a family soon? The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) offers programs to support the challenges of the military lifestyle, giving you a head start on setting and achieving your goals.

For example, if your military family goals include financial security or quality family time, ASYMCA has the tools you need to be successful:

• Goal: Financial Security – Affordable childcare can make a huge difference in achieving your financial goals. ASYMCA’s childcare programs are designed to meet the unique needs of military families, helping parents balance responsibilities while keeping their children safe and engaged.
• Goal: Quality Family Time – Programs such as Operation Little Learners are designed to boost child development and foster a stronger parent-child bond, an excellent tool to use if your goal is to spend more quality time together as a family.

If you are just getting started with setting military family goals, remember that every step counts. Focus on progress versus perfection. Begin small and build from there. And, most importantly, use the tools available to achieve success. With intention, patience, and a bit of creativity, your family can approach your New Year’s resolutions with resilience, focus, and a shared sense of accomplishment.

For those still unsure where to start, learn more about how ASYMCA programs support goal setting for military families.

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