Same Dad, Smarter Moves: Setting Real Goals for the Year Ahead

Aussie Dadding
Dec 21
3 min read

Dad with goals for the new year — Setting dad goals that actually stick - not perfect, just smarter.

Resolutions Are Rubbish (Mostly)

January rolls around and suddenly you’re meant to become a shredded, meditating, kale-eating superdad who never raises his voice and builds cubby houses out of reclaimed timber. Mate, please.

Most resolutions flop because they’re built on guilt, not reality. And reality? It’s school lunches, forgotten sports uniforms, and running on four hours’ sleep because someone had a nightmare and a nosebleed.

You don’t need a new you. You just need to back the version of you that’s already doing 80% of the work - and make a few smarter moves along the way.

Why Big Goals Burn Out Fast

Massive goals feel inspiring… right until life kicks in. Your kid gets gastro, work explodes, the dog eats the remote. Suddenly, your 6am meditation habit is replaced by swearing under your breath while hunting for clean socks.

The problem isn’t you. It’s the size of the leap.

Most dads aren’t short on good intentions - they’re short on time, energy, and bandwidth. That’s why the “all or nothing” approach dies fast. Instead of trying to overhaul everything, aim for one small change. Not dramatic. Just doable.

As psychologist Dr. Tim Sharp (aka Dr. Happy) says:

“Real change doesn’t require perfection - it requires consistency. Even small steps, done regularly, can lead to significant growth.”

What Actually Sticks?

Here’s the stuff that pays off:

Putting your phone down at dinner
Asking your kid one real question, then actually listening
Taking five deep breaths before you react
Saying “yes” to the trampoline, even when you’re wrecked
Fixing that thing you said you’d fix (finally)

None of this will trend on LinkedIn. But your kid will notice. Your partner will notice. You’ll feel it too - a quiet sort of momentum that builds because it’s not a massive effort to maintain.

Consistency over intensity. Always.

Upgrade Just One Habit

Forget the glow-up. Choose one thing - just one - and level it up by 10%.

If mornings are chaos, prep lunches the night before (or teach your kids to do it).

If you zone out during bedtime, commit to reading one chapter with them, not just to them.

If your patience is running thin, try naming when you’re overwhelmed instead of snapping.

It’s not about perfect parenting. It’s about being just a bit more present, a bit more intentional, a bit more proud of how you’re doing it.

And if that one habit starts now - before the fireworks and the pressure - you’re already ahead.

Be the Same Dad. Just Show Up Smarter.

You don’t need to wake up on January 1st a new man. You’re not broken. You’re just busy, tired, and still trying - which already puts you in the top tier.

So instead of trying to “fix” yourself next year, back yourself. Tweak a few things. Build on what’s already solid.

📵 Presence Reminder:

Every dad has done the nod-and-scroll. Next time your kid says something, don’t just pause your screen - put the phone down entirely. Presence starts with noticing when you’re not there.