Parenting could be the most important job title you will ever have and the appraisal method is the most illuminating! What do you want to remember about how you ‘parented.’ Will your memories of parenting your children be overwhelmingly positive? What kind of people do you want your children to become? This article is a beginners guide to identifying and prioritising the key areas of your life, and adding focus and a spark to each. The results could begin a life-changing path!

Step 1: My Life Jigsaw

Create a mind-map of the key areas of your life giving each a ‘headline’ (e.g; kids, relationship, work, travel...) Then list a couple of points within each area that are ‘top of mind’ for you. Go for 6-10 areas.

Step 2: The 'Meat' and the 'Bread'

Next, identify the top 3 areas which you feel you would like to invest more time, focus or money on, and highlight these. Consider which areas have the most impact on your parenting abilities or habits, or that effect your ‘state’ most powerfully (the ‘meat’) and park the others (the ‘bread’) for now.

Step 3: 'Magnifying Glass'

On a separate piece of paper, write down each ‘headline’, and the key point(s). Then think about what you would like this area of your life to look like and feel like. Strongly visualise and notice the emotions that come up for you. Go for your ideal! Be creative! Try to let barriers slip away. Write down any insights that come up for you.

Step 4: 'Game Plan'

Again taking each area in turn, list 2-3 key actions that will move you in the direction of having, creating or acquiring what you have identified as your ideal scenarios in each area. “What do I need to do, for this to happen?” These are the detail or nitty-gritty to support you in achieving your desired actions. Eg; Childcare, space in your diary, that massage... 

Step 5: 'Action Stations!'

Give each step a realistic, but mildly pressured timeframe. This is essential to get momentum forward on these actions. Remember, the faster you get into action, the sooner you reap the rewards! 

Step 6: 'Take it even further'

Get the support and expertise of a Coach to give even more depth and clarity to your parenting ‘job’ and other aspects of your life. Parents who invest in their own wellbeing, relationships and goals are far more equipped to deal with the important job of being the best parent possible. You get one shot at this – go for gold!