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6 Ways to Get a Workout WITH Your Kids

Kat — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:17:51 +0000

Don’t Give Up On Your Resolutions

The biggest obstacle for moms of young children, when it comes to exercise, is that we just don’t have time.

So today, I wanted to share a few ways to exercise WITH your kids:

1. Mailbox Racing

Our current favorite family exercise is mailbox racing.

If your kids are old enough to ride in a jogging stroller or run, then mailbox racing is a great way to have fun with your kids and get good exercise at the same time.

So what is it?

It might have another name, but my son and I named it “Mailbox Racing” while we were logging miles for his kids marathon. All you do is challenge one another to race to the next mailbox on your street. Then you walk to the following mailbox, then race to the next one and so one. Alternate racing and walking between mailboxes.

Because youre alternating between sprinting and walking, it can be a really good workout. When my son was in a jogging stroller he’d yell, “Faster Mama! Faster!” Two year olds can be brutal training coaches.

Now that he’s old enough to run, we play Lightning McQueen vs. Chick Hicks.

2. Wii Boxing

If you have a Wii, the boxing game on Wii Sports can be a great workout. Especially if you’re trying to outbox 3 kids in a row. Just don’t break stuff…particularly if you’re visiting family…and they have a lovely candle set right in the middle of the living room.(Sorry Aunt Di.)

3. Tag

Kids love tag. Tag is a great workout. Exercise problem solved.

Bonus: Your kids will think you’re awesome (times infinity plus one of what anyone else says) for playing tag with them.

4. Nike Training App

I recently downloaded the Nike Training App (iPhone) and l-o-v-e it. It has several great workouts focusing on different muscle groups. It also has 15 minute workouts from top notch athletes that are short, effective and inspiring.

I especially like that I don’t have to watch a video while doing it. The app talks me through each segment and if I’m not sure what to do on a certain move, I can watch a video tutorial. So, I can workout in the living room while my kids watch a show.

I can also listen to my own music or audio book while using the app, which helps your sanity if your kids happen to be watching DORA! THE! EXPLORER! (girl needs to find her inside voice.)

5. Register for a 5k

Don’t underestimate yourself. If you can walk through the grocery store for an hour with small children, you can do a 5k. The great thing about registering for one is that none of us wants to be the last one across the finish line. (Although, last one across the finish line is light years ahead of those on the couch.) So we work harder than we normally would because we have a goal ahead of us.

Also, once the 5k arrives, the atmosphere is electric, you FEEL like an athlete. (Because you are…) And it’s easy to catch the racing bug.

6. Secret Weapon

I couldn’t write a fitness post without sharing about my beloved chin up bar.

Don’t be impressed. I started out by just pathetically hanging on it. Slowly, I was able to pull myself up a little bit until I was eventually able to do a chin up. It has really helped my posture and is easy to do while I’m cooking dinner, doing dishes, or playing Candy Land.

So, my chin up bar is my “secret weapon” to staying fit because it’s simple, I can do it anytime and it has great results.

What could be your secret weapon?

Maybe a pair of hand weights in the kitchen or bathroom sink?
An exercise mat in front of the TV?
Doing squats while you check email on your phone?
Jumping jacks before every snack?

Find something fun and simple that you can always do regardless off weather, time of day or the craziness of your schedule. It will keep you inspired and moving in the direction of a stronger body and healthier you.

And You?

You all shared some wonderful parenting resources in this post, I’d love to hear what exercise resources have helped you? Click here to share!

(And don’t forget to sign up for the FREE parenting webinar next Wednesday! Learn more and sign up here.)

--------- Free Resources Just For You! Maximize Your Mornings eBook: Stop waking up TO your children and start waking up FOR your children. Mission Statements for Moms eBook : Learn why moms need mission statements and how to make one of your own! A Mother’s Prayer Calendar: A simple monthly calendar that will guide you through praying for your children. Praying Daily for Your Husband Calendar: A simple monthly calendar that will guide you through praying for your husband. Join our community on Facebook and Twitter! Or browse all the resources at Inspired To Action here.

The Miracle of Community Can Inspire Us To Action

Kat — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:02:12 +0000

(Note from Kat: This is a guest post from my dear friend Amanda.)

I finally (joyfully) got to meet Kat at the Relevant Conference this year. I was honored to be at the #hellomornings meet-up that early Friday morning. It was, without a doubt, the highlight of my weekend. To feel God in the middle of those women and to know that same God was in the middle of every tired mama who rolled out of bed that morning was more than my little heart could handle. I felt pressed to the floor with His goodness!

After I peeled myself off the ground, I talked to Kat about how amazing it is that God can use something invisible like the internet to do His will. Kat doesn’t have a book, she doesn’t have weekly meetings and wear a microphone to speak to us. Yet, her ebook and website have mobilized over 2000 women these last 3 months to get up early, read their Bibles and even exercise! (Seriously, 3 things we fight the most against! And Kat has us up doing it every morning!)

(Kat, Amanda and Lara)

This miracle of community has inspired me to action, too. Not just in getting up early and taking a shower before my kids. I decided to write one of those invisible ebooks, too. My ebook, Truth in the Tinsel is an Advent experience for you and your children. It’s about giving your kids the first 24 days of December and pointing their eyes and hearts not to an elf on a shelf, or Christmas wishes and candy canes, but to the Truth. To the miracle of Jesus’ birth.

I wrote it quickly, printed it out and brought it to Relevant. It was like something hot and alive in my bag. I felt nervous that someone would see it…but also more nervous that I wouldn’t be able to share it at all. I felt like maybe I had missed out and this ebook opportunity would pass me by. And that maybe I couldn’t help parents make this year the Christmas that impacted their children for eternity.

But with a little encouragement from some fabulous Relevant sisters, I announced the book. And in one day I had 500 fans on the Truth in the Tinsel Facebook page. In less than 2 weeks, there were 900. The book went live on Black Friday and now 1800+ people have joined the Facebook page to say they are going to use December to impress God’s greatest gift on their kids’ hearts!

This is certainly not a testimony to me or my bloggy prowess. No one has even started the book yet! They don’t even know if it’s good yet! (Ha!) The point here is that God uses us. He uses plain, normal, regular old people to accomplish His will!

In 1 Corinthians 20:27-30, Paul talks about this same thing, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised thingsâ€”and the things that are notâ€”to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from Godâ€”that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”

God of the Impossible

Is there something in your life that seems impossible? Something you can’t do alone? Something you feel you need to, want to, have to do? Do you feel weak, foolish or lowly? Guess what? That means you are right where you need to be to see the righteousness, holiness and redemption from God.

God will use to accomplish His will. He takes the invisible and makes big visible miracles happen! Will you ask Him to use you today? To take your weakness and add it to His power?

Another Note From Kat

I just wanted to jump in and say that Amanda is the real deal. She is truly amazing at finding creative ways to impress the Word of God on her children.

Confession: I don’t like crafts much. Ok. At all. But my kids do and I know that by tying together activities and the Christmas story, my children will gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of the season. Amanda even has shorter/simpler variations for extremely craft challenged people like me. All that to say, I don’t let just anyone take over my blog for a day…only people I admire who are talking about something I plan to do. Well, I’m off to the craft store now…

Amanda is a stay-at-home mom of two who blogs at OhAmanda.com and Impress Your Kids and is the author of Truth in the Tinsel. In her former life, Amanda was a Childrenâ€™s Pastor â€” overseeing, organizing and developing ministry for kids in nursery through middle school, but now that she is a mom, her â€œskillsâ€ are used up on her kids!

photo source: wootang01e

Guest Post: Taking Action In Dark Days

Kat — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:26:48 +0000

Photo credit

(Note from Kat: Today’s post is from my sweet friend, Katie Orr. She is truly a woman of the Word. She has organized all of our Maximize Your Mornings Challenge Bible Studies and has inspired many to study and memorize scripture. I love her honesty and hope in today’s post.)

Iâ€™ve had some dark days lately. This cloud has followed me, off and on, for a few years now. While I feel as if I am just now realizing the depths of the darkness, God has been faithful to bring me hope through His Word.

I love the honesty of the psalmists. There are deep emotions communicated in this God-breathed book of the Bible; it makes me feel normal or at least glad Iâ€™m not alone in my craziness.

There is much to be learned from these men of God, as they walked through depression, betrayal and deep, deep hurt. While I havenâ€™t experienced betrayal or enemies chasing after my physical destruction, my soul has itâ€™s own enemies. As I follow the example of the psalmists, here are three actions I have found helpful:

Taking my emotions to the Lord.

For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled…Answer me quickly, O Lord ! My spirit fails!
Psalm 143:3-4, 7

David was honest. He didnâ€™t pretend to have it all together. I can be oh-so-guilty of this. Sometimes itâ€™s because I donâ€™t the energy to go into it all. Other times I am too prideful to admit my defeat.

God knows my heart. He already knows my grief, my struggles, my darkness. He is not surprised when I confess that I have yelled at my kids, again. He is not sitting on go, ready to desert me if I canâ€™t get my act together. He is not looking at me, wondering why I canâ€™t be happy.

He knows. He loves me anyway.

Telling my emotions what is true.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
Psalm 42:5

Did you notice how David talks to himself? â€œHope in God!â€ He does it again in verse 11, and the very next chapter in verse 5.

This is why I must cling to scripture. Without truth embedded on my heart, my heart has no choice but to despair. If the truth of Godâ€™s character is not ingrained into the crevasses of this mommy-brain, I will forget that I am not alone.

I must tell my emotions what is true. Though I feel lost and trapped, my Savior is coming.

He is my salvation.
He is praise-worthy.
He is my God.

Trusting in God by running to Him.

In Psalm 143, David confidently expressed the depths of his despair to the God whom He knew would deliver him. David communicated his trust in God by running to Him as his only hope.

He ran to God for affirmation:
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Psalm 143:8
He ran to God for direction:
Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul…Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
He ran to God for protection and rest:
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge! Psalm 143:8-10

I certainly donâ€™t have this figured out. I struggle. Daily. But God, in His great and glorious grace has given me what Iâ€™ve need, through the truth in His word.

Do you struggle with dark days? What Bible verses have you found that have brought comfort to your soul? What actions do you take when the dark cloud looms? Let’s share…

Note: A reminder that registration for the Maximize Your Mornings Fall Challenge ends this Friday (9/2) at midnight EST.

::
Pastorâ€™s wife and mother of three, Katie Orr loves to teach Godâ€™s Word. Longing to equip others to walk with the Lord for a lifetime, Katie has taught small group Bible studies for over thirteen years. She served on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ for seven years before God called their family to pastoral ministry. She blogs about devotion to that which is eternal at LivingDevotionally.com and is the creator of DoNotDepart.com, where you can receive encouragement and tools to abide in Godâ€™s Word. Follow her on Twitter at @KatieOrr22.

Please Read This!!! A Chance To Help Michelle

Kat — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:28:39 +0000

Did you know…?

UPDATE: In just a matter of hours you all DID IT!! Michelle just bought her ticket. You all rock!! I love this community! And, yes, I am yelling!!!

Did you know that the Maximize Your Mornings Challenge (aka #hellomornings) was all Michelle’s idea? She read my ebook and started the challenge on her blog last Fall.

It was such a hit, we moved it over here and Michelle has spent a LOT of time writing posts, encouraging everyone on Twitter, managing the administrative details of the challenge and answering lots and lots of questions.

Michelle is the reason over 200 women gather each morning on Twitter and Facebook to pray for one another, share verses and be encouraged. She is the reason many of you have been inspired by #hellomornings and have taken up the challenge to get up for your children instead of to them.

Here’s The Deal

Last night tickets to a blog conference called Relevant went on sale. And Michelle didn’t buy one because she didn’t have a sponsor.

I Say WE Sponsor Her

Why?

Because she has TRULY invested in us and this is a great opportunity for us to invest in her to send her to an event that will equip and inspire her to become an even better steward in this social media space.

Because some of the other AC’s and I already have our tickets and it will be a WONDERFUL opportunity for us to meet together and pray together face to face and make plans to serve you better through this blog and the MYM (#hellomornings) Challenge.

So If You’ve Been Inspired, Here’s Your Chance to Take Action

If any of the ebooks or calendars I’ve given out have been a blessing for you and you’ve been looking for a way to give back…

If you have a heart to see the families changed through women who are challenged, encouraged and equipped to spend time with God in the mornings…

If you happen to have a spare dollar lying (or is it laying?) under a cushion of a couch…

Would you consider being a blessing to Michelle and clicking that donate button below?

She’s been an incredible blessing to my life and I know to many of your lives as well.

Here’s a simple way we can say thank you.

Update: WE DID IT!! Michelle just bought her ticket!!! You all rock!!

The Key To Living a Balanced Life

Kat — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:54:48 +0000

Photo credit

People talk about living a balanced life as if it is a constant state. As if “achieving” balance is something we do once and we’re set.Â

But really, balance is NOT a constant state. Rather, it is a continuous series of small adjustments.Â

The more we practice the art of balance the smaller those adjustments become until they are almost imperceptible. But they are always there.

When we drive down the road, it might look like we’re driving in a straight line, but it’s actually lots of small corrections that keep us in the middle of the road.

So when we pursue balance in our lives it is vital that we realize that at any point in time something will be slightly off. If we expect perfection and balance nirvana, we’re destined for discouragement.Â

But if we remember that life is ever-changing we can be more content with the fact that we must be ever-changing as well.Â

What area of your life tends to throw you off balance the fastest?

How To Get Back on Track…Again

Kat — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:55:33 +0000

Stepping Off The Bullet Train

I mentioned last week what an incredibly busy 8 weeks I’ve had. I’m thrilled life is slowing down, but now I face the task of getting back on track.

I’m behind on most everything in my life. I could be overwhelmed, looking like a deer in headlights not sure where to start. Thankfully I wrote a post back in February about getting back on track.

I thought I’d revisit it today, in the hope that it might help some of you as well.

1. Just Start

Today is the best day to get back on track. Donâ€™t wait until tomorrow or next Monday. Start right now. Yes, now. Go ahead. Start.

2. Ignore the Past

Donâ€™t worry about what you didnâ€™t do yesterday or last week. Just focus on what you CAN do now.

3. Start Small

Give yourself grace and just start simply. Donâ€™t expect to jump right back in to a super early wake up time and a daily gazillion mile run. Start small again and work your way back up. It might take a couple days, or it might take a couple weeks, but something is better than nothing and momentum will get you to your goal.

4. Join Forces with a Friend

Find a friend to help motivate you and keep you accountable.

5. Rely on Your Routines

If you donâ€™t have a routine in place, itâ€™s really hard to get back on track. So make sure you have a routine in place that you can rely on when you get off track.

6. Plan It

In addition to a basic system (morning routine, cleaning routine etc) you need to plan how youâ€™ll tackle the backlog of laundry, errands and responsibilities that have accumulated.

Take 15 minutes to list all the things you need to do. (You can use this handy FREE “to-do” form.) Write them down and then number them and put them in order of importance. Itâ€™s easy to feel overwhelmed when we have our to do list floating around in our head. Things seem so much more manageable when we arenâ€™t constantly trying to remember what it is we need to do.

So, get that list out of your head and onto some paper. When you have a list, you only need to remember the next item on that list. It will significantly reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.

7. One Task At A Time

Rome wasnâ€™t built in a day and Mt. Laundry wonâ€™t be conquered in 24 hours either. Things didnâ€™t pile up overnight. So donâ€™t feel like you need to catch up overnight. Take your plan and do one thing at a time.

8. You Can Do It!!!!

Getting back on track can feel overwhelming, but itâ€™s simple if we just start, plan it and take it one task at a time. Narrow your focus so that you just see the next step. Climbing a mountain is hard, but taking one step is easy.

Climb on.

Are you on track or off track? What tips can you share for staying/getting back on track?

Read This…

Today I’m guest posting over at Steady Mom – “Give Your Children the Best Day” – and I share a song that cuts me to the core. It’s about what I always wanted, will never have, but long to someday be. Read my post and listen to the song here.

I also wrote a guest post for Motherhood Your Way – “How To Stop Nagging Your Children” Enjoy.

Join the Inspired to Action Community

Kat — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:53:23 +0000

Many moms donâ€™t have a support network they can rely on as they strive to grow and raise amazing kids. And even those who do, find it difficult to coordinate schedules to get together.

Iâ€™ve read your blogs, Iâ€™ve received your emails and been so encouraged by your comments. You are all incredibly encouraging and inspiring. So, I thought it only makes sense to figure out ways to get us all a little more connected so that we can spur one another on.

Join The Community

Community Page – Iâ€™ve added a Community page where Iâ€™ve list all the ways we can connect. Iâ€™m also adding a list of all of your blogs so that we can easily find one another. A community of inspired moms.

1. Inspired To Action Facebook Page – Iâ€™ve set up a Facebook page where you can start discussions, ask questions and encourage one another. Join us!

2. Motivation Mondays – I hope youâ€™ve been enjoying Motivation Mondays. Starting next week, Iâ€™ll add a little link-thinga-muh-jiggy to the post so that you all can share your inspiration (story of how you took action this week) or an action (a practical post that will help us be better moms) on your blog and we can all stop by, say hi and be encouraged.

I hope youâ€™ll join in.

4. Twitter - If you have a Twitter account, you can follow Inspired2Action and get all the latest updates. Let’s use the hashtag #inspiredmoms when we’re writing something that might inspire others or when you have a question one of the other moms might be able to answer.

5. Your Stories – Iâ€™d like to start a regular series highlighting youâ€™re stories of action or inspiration. If youâ€™ve started a new habit or if youâ€™ve overcome an old one. If youâ€™ve developed a mission statement or accomplished a goal, please share it with me and Iâ€™ll try to share it in an upcoming post.

(FYI – many of you have emailed me youâ€™re stories already, but Iâ€™d love it if youâ€™d use this form to submit it again. It would totally help my organization. Thanks!)

Youâ€™re story doesnâ€™t need to be huge. In fact, one of my favorite stories is how Kait spent an entire week just setting her alarm and standing up in the morning. Then she let herself go back to bed. I LOVE simple goals. Now sheâ€™s developing her routine and is on a roll. Isnâ€™t that awesome?

Action begets action. We want to hear YOUR story!

Action step:
1. Join us on Facebook.
2. Share your actions and inspirations on Twitter.
3. If you have a blog, please post it in the comments on the Community Page. I’ll organize them all on the page soon.
4. Use the Contact page to tell me you’re story. Be sure to include your blog address, if you have one, and I’ll feature these stories in upcoming blog posts.

Quick Introductions

It’s been awhile since we’ve introduced ourselves and there are lots of new folks here.
1. Name or pseudonym
2. Location (optional)
3. What do you do?

What A Grammy Winning Millionaire Can Teach You About Motherhood

Kat — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:10:39 +0000

I can be a “wee” bit obsessive about music.

I love music. You may have noticed that from the music giveaways and my occasional lyric references.

Ok…Maybe a Lot Obsessive
Every now and then, I get in a serious rut with an artist or song. Let’s see, I owned every single tape Amy Grant recorded and didn’t listen to much else until I was in jr. high. (T-A-P-E…it’s like a plastic rectangle box with brown string in it that plays music us old people used to listen to while the earth was being formed).

Good Thing I Have a Gracious and Long Suffering Family
Then, more recently, my family took a 26 hour road trip JUST after I’d discovered Brooke Fraser’s music. We listened to her 3 cd’s the whole time. Yes, 26 hours…

My New Find
Every now and then I find music that I completely moves me and that’s happened again this week. I was ~~aimlessly surfing the web~~ researching a post and I came across this song by Taylor Swift.

I’ve listened to it constantly ever since. (For some people, that would be a metaphor. Me? Nope. Day 4 of the repeat button.)

I’ve heard a lot of songs by parents about their children, but I don’t often hear songs by the children about their parents.

It is one of my most fervent prayers that my daughters and I have a relationship like this when they’re grown up.

This song has deeply inspired me and I hope it inspires you too.

(RSS and email readers click here to watch the video.)

So, anyone get a little misty eyed? What songs inspire you?

(FYI – Check back tomorrow for my post about why and how to take a Yearly Retreat.)

Purposeful Motherhood: How To Use Your Mission Statement

Kat — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:34:27 +0000

A mission statement is worthless.

A mission statement is worthless unless it is seen and usedâ€¦.often. So how do you â€œuseâ€ a mission statement?

1. Post Your Mission Statement Where Youâ€™ll See It Often

Make sure you post it in one or multiple places where youâ€™ll see it throughout the day and week. I have mine posted at the top of my weekly planning sheet that I keep in the front of my notebook.Some places you could post it are:

On your refrigerator
On your bathroom mirror
Keep it in the front of your Bible
Write it in your prayer journal
Make it the screen saver on your computer
Frame it and put it on your wall

2. Measure Things Against Your Mission Statement Regularly

Your mission statement needs to be a part of your regular decision making. When you are planning for the week, month or year measure your plans against your mission statement. Do they line up? Do the things you plan to do help you reach your goals?

When new opportunities arise, measure them against your mission statement. Donâ€™t say yes unless they are a match.

3. Review and Revise Your Mission Statement

Your mission statement shouldnâ€™t be set in stone. As you grow and change, it should change with you. The changes will be small and subtle but hopefully each incarnation of your statement will only inspire you more.

4. Make More Mission Statements

You donâ€™t need to limit yourself to just a life mission statement. You can create mission statements for every aspect of your life or your family. You could even help your kids create their own.

For example, OrgJunkie has a Housekeeping mission statement. When she shared it in the comments here I was so completely inspired by it.

To provide an inviting and peaceful household environment, for my family and all that enter, that is conducive to living simply, loving deeply and laughing abundantly. I will make strides everyday to achieve this by practicing and teaching good daily habits and routines along with effective organizational skills. I will graciously and cheerfully serve my family and genuinely enjoy my commitment to creating a home sanctuary that is above all else pleasing to God.

You could create a mission statement for how you want to approach health and nutrition in your family. You could have one for your blogging goals, or your ministry roles at church.

Just remember that your Life mission statement is the one that should dominate your decision making and goal setting. The other statements can be used to inspire and give direction, but donâ€™t let them ever take precedence over your primary one.

Conclusion

When it comes to our Mission Statement, we need to either use it or lose it. There’s no point in creating one if we’re not letting it affect our goals and decisions. So put it in a prominent place. Constantly review it to make sure it’s relevant. And expand it to give you direction in every aspect of your life.

How do you use your Mission Statement?

2GNG4RUPH78A

Purposeful Motherhood: How To Create A Mission Statement

Kat — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:31:19 +0000

Today we’re going to create a mission statement. Yay!

I highly encourage you to set aside some time to work on this from beginning to end. It will require some focus, thought and prayer. But don’t worry about making it perfect, just get a good rough draft. You can tweak it and refine it in the coming weeks.

List Your Roles

The first step in creating a mission statement is to identify your roles in life. Some of them might be things you do. Some of them might be things you are. As you write things down, donâ€™t worry about your order, just write.

Examples:

Wife
Runner
Writer
Christian
Business owner
Employee
Mother
Sunday School Teacher
Small group leader

Prioritize Your Roles

Now order your roles according to what is important to you. Donâ€™t order them according to the places of your greatest responsibility or reward, but rather based on what is most vital and important to you.

For example:
When I was making my mission statement my list looked something like this.

Believer
Wife
Mother
Writer
Small group leader
Runner
Web designer

Simplify Your Roles

Which of your roles are absolute? Which ones MUST you do?

This is where it gets hard. We donâ€™t want to exclude anything, but we must. Our mission statement should not include everything we want to do. It’s kind of like a map. If we stop in every single town along the way, we’ll never reach our destination.

Your mission statement needs to be focused, so that when you’re feeling scattered, you can rely on it to get you back on track.

Example:
When I made my mission statement, I focused on my top four roles. Not that the others werenâ€™t important to me, but the top four are my core.

Believer
Wife
Mother
Writer

Dream

Now select your first priority. Write it down. Take a few minutes to decide what your ultimate dream goal for that role would be. When runners run a race, they donâ€™t just run. They always know where the finish line is and they run to it. If someone were to talk about you in this role, what would you love for them to say?

It doesnâ€™t need to be perfectly worded. Just jot things down.

Now continue this process for each role.

Example:
Now this may be kind of morbid, but when I worked on my mission statement, I thought about what I would want people to say about me when I die.

I’d want God to say,”Well done, good and faithful servant.” I’d want Jimmy to say I was a good and loving wife. I’d want my kids to say that I loved them well and helped them live lives in passionate pursuit of God. And I’d want others to say that I inspired them to love Jesus more.

Create Action Statements

Now itâ€™s time to work your list for each role into actionable phrases. Your mission statement should be active. It should tell you what you should be doing.

Example:
Here’s what I came up with for my mission statement:

To pursue Jesus with my whole heart and surrender all that I am and all that I have so that I can be fully used by Him.
To make Jimmy feel loved, cared for and admired.
To have fun with my children and help them grow up to be people who know, deeply love and wholeheartedly serve God.
To live my life in such a way that others are inspired to fully pursue Jesus and desire constant growth in their personal lives.

Conclusion

More than anything, spend time praying as you develop your mission statement. Ask God to make sure His desires and your desires are aligned. Ask for wisdom and words that will inspire you when times get tough. He has big plans for you, make time to find out what they are.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11

Care To Share?

I realize that your mission statement is very personal, but I’m sure it would inspire others to read what you’ve created. If you’d like to, please share your mission statement here in the comments.

And of course, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.