Reclaim Your Ambitions: Goal-Setting Strategies for Exhausted Moms
Feeling stuck in survival mode? Learn how to reclaim your ambitions and set realistic goals as a busy, exhausted mom. Small steps, big wins—because your dreams still matter.
Outline:
Introduction: You Had Goals Before Motherhood—And They Still Matter
Understanding the Burnout Cycle & Why Mom Ambitions Get Put on the Back Burner
Redefining Success as a Mom
Section 3: The Power of Tiny, Achievable Goals
Section 4: Practical Steps for Setting Goals That Stick
Building Momentum with Small Wins
Section 5: Finding Support and Accountability
Conclusion: Progress Over Perfection
(about 7 min read)
Introduction: You Had Goals Before Motherhood—And They Still Matter
Moms have goals—big ones, small ones, personal, professional, and everything in between. But somewhere between the diaper changes, the snack requests, the never-ending laundry, and the mental gymnastics of managing an entire household, those goals tend to get shoved to the back burner.
Setting goals as a mom can feel like a cruel joke. You want to do things for yourself, to grow, to accomplish something beyond just keeping tiny humans alive—but when? How? You’re already running on fumes, and the idea of adding more to your plate feels impossible.
And then, someone asks you, "So, what are your goals?" and your brain short-circuits like a WiFi router in a thunderstorm.
Remember when you used to have dreams that didn’t involve surviving on cold coffee and reheating the same meal three times? Maybe you once envisioned starting a business, pursuing a passion project, or simply maintaining a solid self-care routine. But now, those goals feel like a distant memory—shoved so far onto the back burner that they might as well be in another kitchen.
Here’s the thing: Your ambitions didn’t disappear. They just got buried under the weight of motherhood. And while you might not have the luxury of uninterrupted hours to work on them, that doesn’t mean you can’t make progress. This guide will help you reclaim your goals—without adding more stress to your already full plate.
Understanding the Burnout Cycle & Why Mom Ambitions Get Put on the Back Burner
Before we get into goal-setting, let’s talk about the beast that is burnout and how it shoves your ambitions to the back burner.
Mom burnout is real. It’s that all-consuming exhaustion—physical, mental, and emotional—where you feel like you’re running on fumes but never actually getting anywhere. It shows up as irritability, overwhelm, and the constant feeling that no matter how much you do, it’s never enough.
And when you’re deep in burnout, the idea of setting or achieving goals—especially ones just for you—feels laughable. Who has the time? The energy? The brainpower?
The first step? Acknowledging where you are and giving yourself grace. You’re not lazy, and you’re definitely not failing—you’re just navigating one of the toughest jobs on the planet.
Instead of thinking, "I should be doing more," shift to, "What’s one small thing I can do to feel a little better?"
Burnout isn’t just about exhaustion; it’s also about disconnection. When you’re deep in survival mode, it’s easy to forget who you are outside of your responsibilities. That’s why even the smallest goal—something just for you—can be a lifeline. It’s a reminder that you still exist beyond the to-do lists and never-ending demands.
Then there’s the guilt. So many moms feel like focusing on their own goals means taking something away from their family. But the truth? Pursuing what fulfills you makes you a better, more present mom. When you’re running on empty, everything feels harder. But when you carve out time—even just a little—for something that excites you, it creates energy instead of draining it.
Read More: Exhausted, Overwhelmed, and Done: The Truth About Mom Burnout, Simple Daily Routines to Help Moms Feel Less Overwhelmed & More Like a Bad*ass
Redefining Success as a Mom
One of the biggest mindset shifts in goal-setting as a mom? Letting go of what success used to look like.
Before kids, success might have meant hitting career milestones, traveling, or finally nailing that morning routine. Now? Success can mean managing to drink your coffee while it’s still warm or making it through the day without snapping at anyone (too much). It can also mean achieving milestones, just at a different pace.
Hot take: toddler-hood is not your era to thrive in your career. This hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized it. But it also felt relieving. Yes, I desperately want that part of my life back, and yes, I desperately need to make money for my family. AND this is also the most important job of my life that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Allowing myself to release my inner girl boss mentality and swap it out for a nurturing mama mentality was the grace that I needed to begin to thrive in this season of my life.
And just because your priorities have shifted doesn’t mean you don’t matter. Your career aspirations, personal passions, and dreams for the future are still important—they just need a new approach.
So ask yourself:
What truly matters to me right now?
What’s one small thing that would make me feel accomplished today?
What’s one goal I’ve been putting off that I really want to make time for?
Maybe it’s journaling for 5 minutes, prepping a healthy meal, finally tackling that work project, or making time for a hobby that got lost in the chaos of motherhood. Success isn’t about grandeur—it’s about feeling good in the life you’re living right now.
It’s also about recognizing that your goals don’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Social media will have you believe that success is running a six-figure business from home while homeschooling and making organic sourdough. But in reality, success is whatever makes you feel fulfilled. Maybe it’s re-entering the workforce, maybe it’s carving out time for creativity, maybe it’s getting back into fitness, or maybe it’s simply being more present with your kids. Whatever it is, it’s yours—and that’s what matters.
For me, one of my personal goals was to start this blog.
Writing has always been something I’ve loved, but as a mom, it felt impossible to find the time. Instead of waiting for a perfect moment (because, let’s be real, that doesn’t exist), I set a simple, achievable plan—one blog post a week. I made peace with writing in small bursts during nap time or in the chaos of the evening, and over time, those tiny efforts added up. Now, weekly writing goals keep me consistent, and even on the hardest weeks, I remind myself that showing up, even imperfectly, is better than not at all.
The Power of Tiny, Achievable Goals
It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll start working toward your goals when things “calm down.” But let’s be real—there will always be something demanding your time. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, focus on small, manageable steps you can take right now.
Progress doesn’t have to mean overhauling your life overnight. It can mean choosing small, sustainable changes that fit into your current season of life. Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for consistency. Tiny steps add up, and they create momentum that makes the bigger goals feel more achievable.
Instead of, "I’m going to launch a side business," try, "I’ll brainstorm ideas for 10 minutes this week."
Instead of, "I’m going to finally get back into a fitness routine," try, "I’ll stretch for 5 minutes before bed."
Instead of, "I need to spend more quality time with my kids," try, "I’ll put my phone on the charger while we play."
These small wins add up. Each tiny goal builds momentum, and before you know it, you’re making real progress—without the overwhelm. And these small goals all have the potential to be stretched out into bigger ones as momentum builds.
The beauty of tiny goals is that they bypass the mental resistance that comes with big changes. When a goal feels too big, we procrastinate. But when it’s small and manageable, we actually do it. And doing something—no matter how small—is always better than doing nothing at all.
Practical Steps for Setting Goals That Stick
Instead of trying to “do it all,” pick one focus area at a time. Maybe it’s your health, a creative hobby, or finally launching that side business. Once you have a focus, use the SMART method to set realistic goals:
Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?
Measurable: How will you track progress?
Adjustable: Can it flex when life happens?
Realistic: Does this goal fit your energy and time limits?
Time-bound: When will you complete it?
Examples:
Instead of "I’m going to get back into my career," try, "I’ll update my resume this weekend."
Instead of "I’ll start taking better care of myself," try, "I’ll fill up my water bottle and drink it twice every day for the next week."
Instead of "I’ll work out more," try, "I’ll do a 20-minute home workout every Tuesday and Thursday morning for the next 2 weeks.”
Instead of "I’ll be more organized," try, "I’ll create a daily to-do list every evening for the next 10 days."
Building Momentum with Small Wins
Tiny goals might seem insignificant, but they’re the building blocks of real change. The key is to make them achievable so that success feels doable, not daunting.
Here are a few examples of micro-goals for busy moms:
Do 5 minutes of stretching before bed.
Write down 3 things you’re grateful for.
Spend 10 minutes playing with your kids without distractions.
Prep snacks for the week.
Read one chapter of a book you love.
Each small success builds confidence and creates motivation to keep going. Plus, checking something off your list (even a tiny thing) just feels good.
Finding Support and Accountability
One of the best ways to stay motivated? Find your people—moms who get it.
Why mom friends are the ultimate accountability partners: THEY GET IT. They are the keepers of their own chaos, they’re in their own trenches, and moms are the BEST hype-women.
Share your goals with a friend, your partner, or even an online community. You’d be surprised how much support is out there when you’re willing to ask for it. And if you’re feeling shy or silly, share them with me! I will encourage the sh*t out of you for the seemingly smallest goals and keep you accountable on the days when your attitude feels greater than your motivation.
And remember—asking for support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom. No one is meant to do this alone.
Conclusion: Progress Over Perfection
Setting goals as a burnt-out mom isn’t about doing it all. It’s about giving yourself permission to dream again—even in small ways.
Some days, simply surviving is enough. Other days, you’ll have the energy to take a step forward—and that’s worth celebrating.
So, take a deep breath, set one tiny goal, and remember: Your goals still matter. Your dreams still count. And you deserve to make space for them.
You’re doing an amazing job, mama. Keep going, keep dreaming, and know that you’re not alone in this.
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This blog is not just a passion project—it’s also a way to support my family. Every page view, share, and comment means the world to me. Thanks for being here and helping me keep this dream alive!
— Bethany
