Step Three: Activate Your Family Plan

Moving your family forward.

The third step in becoming an intentional family is to begin living your Intentional Family plan. This is potentially one of the hardest stages for families because we sometimes have all-or-nothing thinking when it comes to goals. Remember, this process is a journey. Intentional Families achieve success in their family plans by creating reminders and starting small.

Create Reminders

Through the Intentional Family Process, you have discussed core family values and  recognized your family identity. You then set family goals and identified the rhythms of life your family has to live in order to achieve them. As you live daily life, it is easy to forget why we began this process. Intentional Families stick with the plan by creating reminders of their values, goals, and family plan. They may craft a family mission statement, display family goals, post family schedules, list out family rules, or track family roles. Create visible reminders in your home — whether symbolic or literal — that help keep your family on track. 

Start Small

Intentional Families achieve their family plan by starting small. They don’t try to implement all new family rhythms at once. We encourage you to try out one one new family rhythm at a time and stick to that one thing for at least a month before adding anything new.

Starting small is important because any new family rhythm will feel awkward at the beginning. It is important to lean into the awkwardness. Push back against the fear that it might not work or that you will look silly. You have intentionally chosen to create a new way of family life, and that will take time to get used to! If you are willing to hang on long enough for the new rhythm to feel more comfortable, then you will be well on your way to achieving your Intentional Family plan.

Remember, becoming an Intentional Family is a process, not a weekend make-over. The goal is progress, not perfection. Slow and steady wins the day in the Intentional Family Process.

NEXT: Preserve Your Family Identity

BACK: Establish Your Family Plan