No doubt, 2020 made a mark on our lives forever. It’s a year we will never forget. However, no matter how hard 2020 had been on us, it doesn’t have to define us. The good news is that yesterday ended last night. Tomorrow’s pages are blank, and today marks a new beginning to reboot, redefine and redirect the future of our lives. 

Unfortunately, many families drifted further apart rather than closer together during the pandemic. Last March, we were instructed to stay home and practice social distancing to stay safe from the coronavirus. At first, many families found the stay-at-home orders to be a positive thing. Parents took walks and bike rides with their children. Families played board games together and shared family meals. But as the pandemic continued, the more stressful it became. Families went from thriving to surviving. There is no doubt 2020 impacted all of us. Because so many have drifted, let me encourage you to make a shift. Your current situation is not your family’s final destination. 

Before we take off running into 2021, make a declaration of your firm intentions. Read the following out loud:

I declare a shift is coming –

A shift in my marriage.

A shift in my familial relationships.

A shift in my priorities. 

A shift in my future.

21 Ideas to Shift Your Family in 2021

1. Identify a word for the year that will serve as a virtue or value you want to embody as a declaration for 2021. 
2. Create a vision statement: This defines where you want to go as a couple or a family. It’s also a picture of who you want to become. 
3. Create a purpose/mission statement: This defines your unique purpose as a family. Why do you exist as a family? What is the unique purpose you’re going to fulfill as a family?
4. Identify your top five core values.
5. Identify your unique personality traits or avatars. Take a free personality test at familyshift.com.
6. Put a Family Goals Tree together: This is outlined in our book, Family Shift: The 5-Step Plan to Stop Drifting and Start Living with Greater Intention – available at online retailers.
7. Take on the 7 Day Family Challenge: FREE download at familyshift.com. 
8. Journal: This allows you to capture key thoughts, experiences and lessons learned so that you can look back over 2021 and reflect on all the accomplishments or defining moments.
9. Set aside a date night as a couple once a week.  
10. Attend a marriage conference or event this year.  
11. Plan a family vacation that everyone looks forward to.
12. Find an organization where you can volunteer as a family.
13. Save all your coins and cash them in for spending money on special occasions. 
14. Adopt a child through Compassion International: www.compassion.com.
15. Identify a hobby/activity everyone enjoys doing together.
16. Set aside a night for a family pow-wow! Enter into each other’s worlds by sharing updates, highs and lows for the week. Use it to encourage and affirm each other.
17. Plan a monthly review. Look over calendars, goals, etc. 
18. Make it a priority to see aging family members this year! 
19. Have a family meal at least one night a week with NO cell phones at the table.  
20. Take a “friendatory.” Evaluate your circle of friends. The late Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” As the old saying goes, “Show me your friends, and I will show you your future.” In 2021, surround yourself with people who will help you grow and reach your full potential. 
21. Celebrate the wins!