Jeff and I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions, but we’ve got a tradition that might inspire you. For about five years now, we’ve been choosing a vision statement, like an anthem for our year. It’s a theme we want to focus on, guiding our actions and intentions.

Last year, my vision was all about “refining.” Inspired by James Clear’s Atomic Habits, I embraced the idea that small, mindful changes can lead to significant growth. It’s like the concept that if you improve by just 1% every day, over time, those tiny increments can lead to huge transformations. This approach has been so encouraging to me—reminding me that small steps, like drinking more water or listening to this podcast, matter.

This year, my word is “boldness.” Defined as “confidence or courage” and “the willingness to take risks and act innovatively,” boldness is a trait I want to embody and instill in my kids. As a recovering people pleaser and Enneagram 3, choosing boldness was a deliberate decision, especially with the launch of this podcast. Every time I faced self-doubt or the imposter syndrome monster, I reminded myself to be bold. I want my kids to feel the fear and do it anyway, to speak up against injustice, and to take risks with confidence and courage.

4 ideas to encourage boldness in our children:

1. Emphasize the Journey Over the Destination

Focus on encouraging effort rather than just praising the outcome. It’s essential to celebrate the process—whether it’s your child focusing on staying inside the lines while coloring or practicing diligently for a sport. This mindset helps children become comfortable with failure, viewing it as a natural part of learning and growth. When kids see that their hard work is recognized, not just their achievements, they are more likely to embrace challenges and persist through difficulties.

2. Foster Curiosity and Embrace Mistakes

Kids are naturally curious, asking countless questions. While it can sometimes be overwhelming, fostering this curiosity is crucial. Encourage your children to explore, experiment, and make mistakes. Mistakes are powerful teachers. Show them that errors are opportunities to learn and grow, not something to be feared. Share your own mistakes with them and model a healthy response—acknowledging the error, fixing it, and trying again. This helps them understand that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success.

3. Celebrate Resilience in the Face of Adversity

When your kids face hardships, discuss how they handled the situation and what new skills they gained. Highlight their resilience and determination. Learning to persevere despite setbacks is an invaluable life skill. Boldness is about continuing despite difficulties, evaluating and adjusting as needed. Celebrate their grit and courage to keep going, recognizing that this persistence is a significant accomplishment in itself.

4. Applaud Their Courage to Try New Things

Encourage your children to try new and potentially scary things, whether it’s jumping into the deep end of the pool or trying out for a play. Recognize and applaud their bravery, reinforcing that new experiences build confidence and boldness. Teach them the power of the word “yet”—“I’m not good at this… yet.” This little word carries so much hope and encouragement, showing them that with time and effort, they can achieve their goals.

As I reflect on these ideas, I realize that we, as adults, need these reminders too.

Here’s a quick recap:

• The journey is more important than the destination: Focus on effort and resilience, not just the outcome.
• Encourage curiosity and mistakes: View mistakes as experiments and learning opportunities.
• Celebrate resilience: Acknowledge and celebrate perseverance through tough times.
• Applaud courage: Recognize and encourage bravery in trying new things.

A Prayer for Boldness

Let’s wrap up with a prayer for boldness over our families:

God,

You say the righteous are as bold as a lion. Give our families that boldness. Because You are with us, we know no one can stand against us. Teach us to push through our fear. When our children feel afraid, inadequate, or intimidated, remind them of who YOU are, and who they are in You.

Help us be bold in the face of injustice. If our children see and hear things that aren’t right, give them the courage to speak up. Empower them to stand firm and courageous. Remind us that fear is a liar. You gave us a spirit not of fear but of power. When our children lack confidence, help us encourage them to stand tall in their self-worth as Your creation.

Clear their minds of the noisy clutter of this world and help them hear Your plan for their life. Surround them with supportive friends and mentors who will encourage them to walk in boldness. Help us guide them to be who You created them to be and encourage what You have empowered them to do. We love you and thank you. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Alright, Mamas—let’s live boldly this week!

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