The decision to be an intentional mom starts by the willingness to set goals. But do you know how to set goals to be a successful mother?

Why must my dreams take a back seat because I became a mother? Do you wonder that?
I want a happy home, a healthy family, well mannered children… save money, have a career, travel to far off places and bring joy to the lives of all those around me. How can I be everything that I want and more?
If you are thinking this, you are not alone. I am right there with you. In fact, I was right there last year and the year before that too. Creating a better life for my family and trying to see if I can squeeze in something for myself has been my life’s goal ever since I became a mother.
What goes wrong when you are trying to be an Intentional Mom
Last year, in January, I decided I wanted to go back to studying. While looking for ways to study from home, I discovered Coursera and enrolled myself in an advanced course in Bioinformatics.
My plan was that I can get a certificate which will help me make up for all the years that I have missed work experience. This little training will help me get back on track, I thought.
Wrong.
Four days into the course, my in laws came visiting. By the end of the week, I had four families in my house and nine children running about. There was no way I could give my first test that weekend. So I cancelled my enrollment and took my money back.
The result: resentment.

For the next two months, I was in depression. I was either angry or sleepy. I felt I had to do housework all the time and that my kids were always needing me. Deep within, I knew that wasn’t entirely true but my depression was getting the better of me.
My husband was quietly observing my behavior. One night, after the kids were in bed, I asked him what he thought of me returning to work after our youngest started Kindergarten in the Fall.
He laughed and said: I have a course for you. It is free for a limited time and although it isn’t your field of study, I think you should do it.
It was a Brilliant Idea!
The course was on Entrepreneurship. Totally NOT my line but… I ended up doing it anyway.
Of course it was hard! I am not a commerce person and I don’t speak that ‘language’.
I was the only mom among the 20 something year olds who wanted to either change the world or build a well in Kenya. But do you know what it taught me..?
Mothers need a life plan too.
They say that we mothers are CEOs of our homes… may be it was about time we started behaving like one too!

So in March last year, for the first time, I made my Life Plan. I wasn’t sure if I would accomplish my goals or if at all it was necessary… but as I sat to plan this year, I was able to tick off almost 90% of that last year’s plan.
I am a happier and more confident mother today because I planned out my year.
My Mom Plan gave me a life goal. It helped me see in words what my dreams were and how I would accomplish them. I charted my year into quarters and brainstormed steps I would take to come to that goal.
Yes, I am still very far off from what I want to do with my life but atleast now, I know who I want to be. I know what I want from my children.
When I say, I want to ‘touch more lives’ or ’empower others’, I have a plan how I will do it. Can you hear the confidence in me?
Yes, this. I want to help you find your life goal and take a step towards making your dreams come true.
Whether it is studying to get a degree; learning a new hobby; making sense of the chaos of motherhood or even just decluttering your home… Here is that first step.
If you want to be an intentional mom, set a goal for yourself.
Here’s a Free download for you. My New Year’s gift to you. The first step that can move you to taking action is by changing your mindset to be more intentional and confident.

I have seen many women who say that they want to do so much more with their lives but they just don’t know where to begin.
Many mothers tell me that they have living conditions that prevent them from taking action in their life.
Mothers with older children say that they have sacrificed their career to take care of their children but now they are not so sure they did the right thing.
Dear mom, I know what you are feeling. I was in that same mindset. I thought it was the people around me, my conditions, my expat life that was holding me back from my dreams.
I was wrong.
Even if the whole world conspired to break you, they will not unless it is the Will of God. God loves you. He has given you that power within you to accomplish anything that you wish. Let’s work on that energy within you.
Fill out the form below. I will email you my Positive Thinking Mindset Printable. Let’s empower you and build your strength to be an intentional mom.
I'd love to help you be the Deliberate, Intentional, Confident Mom that you always wanted to be. Download this FREE printable and get started!
Would you like some help writing your own Life Plan? Click the picture below to get my LIFE PLAN 2020 Workbook.
Want examples of Goal setting, check out these posts below:
Need inspiration to set goals? Enjoy the posts by my friends below.

Welcome to the Monthly Goals Blog Hop! Do you plan your month ahead? Have you anything in particular that your looking forward to this month? Is there anything in your life that needs focus? Kids, family, self… what is your motivation?
This blog hop is to help you make new friends and find a partner to stay accountable to. Every month, a group of us get together to write our monthly goals. This helps us stay connected, accountable as well as inspire other moms to know how we do it all.
This month the participating blogs are:
Jeddah Mom – Confident Parenting | Deliberate Motherhood
Multicultural Motherhood
Alizeh My Soul-Lets plan and Work for a Productive Living in January
Mommy’s Next Step- January Goals

You have given a new insight for planning life long. In shaa allah will need this one as I am lookimg to live in peace.
I was skeptical at first if it really would work Salma. But looking back after all these months, it really helped me know how to work with family and home.
Obviously charity begins at home . Being a woman we should aim for a positive outcomes in every aspect of Life. Planning is crucial in achieving set goals …
Thanks for sharing.
I love this! I also did an entrepreneur course a few years ago and it completely changed the way I think about things. I can’t wait to download your free planner. Thank You!
This seems like an amazingly helpful tool! Also, it helps to plan and re assess our priorities as we move through life, because those can change too. As expats, I think that is one of the struggles I face. Thanks for sharing your post!
Exactly! As we move through life our priorities change and this chart is perfect to keep track of it too.
“An Intentional Mom” I like that. I’ve been having a crazy time juggling motherhood, personal development and work. Writing my goals and to-do lists definitely help me though.
This is awesome! I do year plans for Homeschooling but not always for myself, I love the idea of behaving like CEOs, Thank you for a motivating article – looking forward to using the free plan!
There is a whole course around it Hafsa. Be sure to join . I am so excited to be doing this this year.
This is fantastic!! 90% is AMAZING!
And I love how there is a tribe!
I hope all of you meet all your goals 🙂
InshaAllah! It’s a great feeling when you see a clear path to take. 🙂
Such beautiful insight mashaAllah. Thank you for sharing. I wish you the best.
Reading this has made me realise how unorganised my life is at the moment! Lol I thought I had things on track…. you’re very thorough &I guess it’s the best way to be! Thanks for sharing…. definetly need to get things into check!
This is completely new to me….I have never made goals for parenting…love reading and knowing more on this….thank you for sharing…
May I know from where you did the entrepreneurship course? Thanks in advance
Philanthropy University, Berkeley-Haas. You’re welcome.