When you hear “goal-planning,” your mind might go straight to the office—or to those New Year’s resolutions that fade by February. But what if setting goals wasn’t just for individuals or businesses?
What if your family had a unified vision for where you're going and how you’ll grow together along the way?
Imagine the clarity, connection, and purpose that could come from setting intentional goals as a family- not just for the future, but for the day-to-day moments that matter most.
Family goal planning isn’t just making a list; it’s about accomplishing all that God has for you.
Welcome to family goal planning: your secret weapon for turning your family’s big ideas (yes, those mission, vision, and values you keep talking about) into real, doable steps everyone can get behind. In this blog, we’ll break down how to take those big-picture dreams and turn them into clear, practical goals that fit your family’s unique story.
Let’s explore 5 simple steps for establishing and setting in motion your family goals:
Clarify Your Family’s Vision
Before setting goals, it helps to talk about where you're headed as a family. What kind of future are you working toward together? What legacy do you hope to leave?
You don’t need a polished mission statement or a list of values right away, but having an agreed-upon picture of what “success” looks like for your family can guide the kinds of goals you set and how you show up in daily life.
Even a simple conversation about what matters most can be the first step in building a more intentional family rhythm.
Reflect on Your Current Life vs. Your Future Goals
Next, take a moment to honestly and transparently assess where your family currently is in relation to your mission, vision, and values.
This reflection creates a clear starting point and uncovers opportunities for your goals to organically become clearer
Brainstorm
Now, link your mission, vision, and values directly to specific goals. For each core category, ask:
Some examples might look like:
If stewardship is a key value for your family, set a goal of a monthly rhythm to review where everyone is expending their time, money, and resources both individually and as a family. Let each member manage one area as a measurable goal for stewardship.
If your mission is to grow in Christ together, set a goal for a particular devotion, workbook or Bible reading plan as a family (this can even just be a goal of one scripture a day at breakfast or dinner together, without missing).
If your vision is a legacy of faith and generosity, create a giving plan that sets a clear goal when and where you will be intentional with generosity. (Even if your goal ends up being financial, be sure to let the whole family take part).
Make sure goals are:
Draft a Plan
Turn your goals into steps. Goals are a great concept, but if there is not a concrete plan to achieve them, much like New Years Resolutions, even the best intentions will burn out or fall prey to busy schedules, social lives or just life.
Be sure to break down each goal into smaller, manageable tasks. Next, assign responsibilities to family members that play on their strengths and interests. And finally, schedule regular family check-ins to celebrate any progress, troubleshoot, or adjust where needed.
Reflect and Adjust Where Needed
As always, invite God into your planning process.
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"Live with intention" is a common phrase, but without direction, it's just busywork. When family goals align with a shared vision and values, you're not just scheduling; you're building a lasting legacy that withstands challenges and has purpose beyond your lifetime.
Family goal planning creates meaningful rhythms for living with direction and connection, now and for future generations.
The Legacy Life by Hobby Lobby CEO David Green and Legacy Stone CEO Bill High equips you with practical tools to live out your family’s legacy with clarity and purpose.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula, it’s a faithful roadmap for raising a family that doesn’t just survive life’s chaos but thrives through it. If you’re ready to trade busyness for legacy, this is your next step.