About SoloMoms! Talk Podcast
Jan. 2, 2023

How to Use Gratitude and Goals to Empower Your Life

How to Use Gratitude and Goals to Empower Your Life

Introduction

As a solo mom, life can be overwhelming and it's easy to get caught up in the stress and struggles of everyday life. It's hard to focus on anything good when it seems everything is going wrong.  But here's the thing, everything is not going wrong!  Yes. Some things may not be going right.  But I encourage you to shift your focus and give thanks for those things that are going right.

But incorporating gratitude and setting goals into your daily routine can help empower you to take control of your life and find joy and purpose in the midst of the challenges.

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Why Gratitude?

"Gratitude will shift you to a higher frequency, and you will attract much better things.” – Rhonda Byrne

First, let's talk about gratitude. Research has shown that focusing on the things we are thankful for can increase our happiness and well-being. This doesn't mean ignoring the difficult aspects of our lives, but rather, it's about shifting our perspective and finding the good in every situation.

One way to practice gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal. Each day, take a few minutes to write down three things you are thankful for. These can be big or small, and they don't have to be related to your current circumstances. The act of writing down what you're grateful for helps to cement them in your mind and can help to reframe your outlook on life.

In addition, when things are not going the way you want them to it's time to take action. What do you want? And how do you want things to go?  This is where you decide what you want. Then set goals on how to get what you want.

About Setting Goals

Goals are not only absolutely necessary to motivate us. They are essential to really keep us alive.” — Robert H. Schuller

Setting goals is another important way to empower yourself and take control of your life. Goals give us direction and motivation, and they can help us feel a sense of accomplishment as we work towards achieving them.

Also, when setting goals, it's important to make them specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. This is known as the SMART goal framework. For example, instead of setting a vague goal like "get healthy," try setting a specific goal like "lose 20 pounds by the end of the year by exercising three times a week and eating a healthy diet." This goal is specific (losing 20 pounds), measurable (tracking your weight loss), attainable (losing 1-2 pounds per week is a healthy rate of weight loss), relevant (improving your health), and time-bound (by the end of the year).

It's Okay to Ask for Help

"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." ~ 1 Pete 5:5

It's also important to remember to ask for help when you need it, and to trust in God to help you through the hard times. This can be especially difficult for solo moms who may feel like they have to do everything on their own. But asking for help and relying on your faith can be a great source of strength and support. Whether it's reaching out to a friend or family member for practical assistance, or turning to prayer and seeking comfort in your faith, don't be afraid to seek the help you need.

Conclusion

By incorporating gratitude into your daily routine you simple take a few moments each day to reflect on the things you are thankful for. This can be done through journaling, speaking aloud to a trusted friend or family member, or even just silently to yourself. Focusing on gratitude can help you to shift your perspective and see the positive aspects of your life, even in times of hardship.

Setting goals can also be an important part of empowering your life as a solo mom. By setting specific, achievable goals for yourself, you can work towards improving your circumstances and creating a sense of accomplishment and purpose. This can involve setting goals related to your career, personal development, or other areas of your life that are important to you.

Finally, seeking support and trusting in God can also be important for solo moms. It can be helpful to have a strong support system of friends and family members who can offer emotional and practical support during challenging times. Additionally, turning to a higher power and trusting in a divine plan can provide a sense of comfort and guidance.