We know a clear structured approach to personal goals is key to achieving them, but how much detail and fore-planning is needed?
As a mum, balancing family life, career and personal growth can feel like walking a tightrope. It can be difficult to plan your day or week, let alone a whole year.
If you’ve ever found yourself dreaming about how you’d like your life to be different. If you’ve wished for more freedom, purpose or a career path that truly excites you, creating a five-year-plan may be relevant and worthwhile.
Why a five-year-plan?
There are huge milestones to look forward to in the space of five years. For example, your first child might be starting school. Or maybe you’ll be planning a second baby, thinking about going back to work or buying a house. Each new year brings a new phase of life, and it’s helpful to you and your family if you can plan some of your big dreams and goals in advance.
A five-year-plan is a useful tool for mapping out your goals, aspirations and priorities. It provides a starting point for where you are right now and helps you set a clear vision for your future. By setting specific goals and breaking them down into manageable steps, you create a roadmap for success that aligns with your bigger picture.
But, for some, a five-year-plan is just too much time to think about. It can feel overwhelming and if your lifestyle is not predicable or stable, your may feel like you can’t make any set goals or plans.
One-year-plan versus five years
There are significant differences in scope and focus between a one-year-plan and a five-year one. A one-year-plan focuses on short-term goals and provides a more immediate outlook, while a five-year-plan provides a broader scope, allowing you to set goals that stretch over a longer period.
Here are the pros and cons for each type of plan:
Pros of a one-year-plan
- Easier to adapt and update frequently.
- Ideal for tackling immediate potential goals and adjusting as needed.
- More manageable and focused in scope, helping to avoid overwhelm.
Cons of a one-year-plan
- Doesn’t take into account longer-term aspirations or transitions that may arise.
- Can lack depth in planning for big-picture life changes, like family expansions or long-term career growth.
Pros of a five-year-plan
- Particularly beneficial for long-term goals like career development, starting a family or making large investments.
- Offers a comprehensive view of where you want to be in the future, including larger goals.
- Encourages long-term personal growth and strategic thinking.
- Provides a more detailed roadmap for bigger aspirations.
Cons of a five-year-plan
- Can be harder to adapt quickly to changes or life circumstances.
- May require more effort to break down larger goals into actionable steps, as the timeline is longer.
- Can feel rigid and overwhelming, not allowing for flexibility.
Key areas of your plan
Whether you decide to make a one-year-plan or a plan for five years, it’s helpful to break it down into key areas, including:
Personal Growth
Take time to set personal goals. Perhaps you want to work on your health, learn new hobbies or explore personal growth, improving your soft skills through activities like journalling or spirituality.
Family goals or milestones
Consider the life stages of your children, such as starting school, attending extracurricular activities or graduating from high school. Planning around these milestones will help you stay connected to your family’s needs.
Financial goals
Whether you’re planning for a large purchase, saving for your child’s university fees or setting up for long-term financial security, consider your financial goals within your five-year-plan.
Career development
This could involve furthering your education, aiming for a promotion or making a career change. It could also include gaining new skills, pursuing an advanced degree or getting practical experience in a different industry.
It can also be highly beneficial to structure your goals using the SMART strategy: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
Returning to work
Many mums reach a point where they start re-evaluating their career path—whether it’s returning to work after having their baby, switching careers or even starting their own business.
Career planning is essential in navigating this transition, so you can set clear career goals and create a career plan that aligns with your family life and personal aspirations.
Maybe you’re wanting to get into you dream job with an amazing team in a great environment. It’s going to take careful planning and research to line up job interviews that are going to suit you and fulfil your employment preferences.
If you’re thinking of starting a small business, developing a five-year business plan can provide direction, helping to break down loftier goals into actionable steps. Maybe your business is selling digital products, or perhaps it’s reusable nappies for environmental protection reasons. Whatever it is, economic growth takes intentional efforts and foresight.
If your business needs a digital transformation, it will take a high level of detailed planning in order to provide satisfaction to both staff and customers.
With the right strategy and support, you can confidently step into a fulfilling career path while maintaining balance in your personal life.
Making the most of goal-setting
A five-year goal or a one-year plan is not about perfection; it’s about intention. It’s about setting a specific goal and working toward it with manageable steps while allowing flexibility for the unknowns. It’s about developing a big vision and working each year toward that ultimate goal—whether that’s in career growth, personal growth or family life.
Start small and create weekly or monthly goals, and then you can jump up to annual goals. Celebrate small victories along the way, and adjust your plan as needed to accommodate the new opportunities or potential obstacles that arise.
With a clear plan and the commitment to stick to your annual goals, having a plan can help you live a life full of growth, achievement and balance. You have dreams, ambitions and a purpose that deserves to be pursued with passion. Goal setting isn’t about pressure—it’s about taking charge of your future and designing a life you love.
Read next: How to find 30 hours of lost time a month and improve your time management skills
Why you should have a five-year-plan
