This website actually started in September, 2008. Or at least the idea did. I was tired of making yearly resolutions that I didn’t stick to. I had a really messy house, a third baby on the way, and I had just reread Walden. I was very aware that I was not on Thoreau’s deliberate living track, but on the “quiet desperation” track. 

So I launched my “Weak Things Strong” project, in which I pick whatever I’m struggling with the most and focus for a whole month on making that weakness strong, or at least stronger. That month I have to study the problem, reading books, searching for answers online, and talking to as many people I can about it. I set a very specific goal that I make my priority that month. I pray for help with the specific topic. 

The inspiration for this project came from a scripture in the Book of Mormon that says, “…I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” (Ether 12:27)

I’ve stuck with this project ever since (with some breaks for things like childbirth and such) and it became the model for this website. Each month I pick a different challenge moms face, research the heck out of it, talk to as many moms as I can, and share what I learn with those of you who follow me. Along the way, I post daily tips on Facebook and Instagram from real-life moms about the topic of the month (plus other random tips that I come across and can’t wait to share). 

Here are just a few of the weaknesses that I’ve worked on over the years:

  • Messy kitchen. Goal: Shiny sink by bedtime.

  • Laundry chaos. Goal: Wash a load a day

  • Sleep deprivation. Goal: Go to bed at 10:00, wake up at 6:00

  • Being a know-it-all. Goal: Listen to other people instead of giving advice all the time. Solution: Ask more questions. Try to slip these phrases into conversation: “I didn’t know that.” “What a great idea!” and “I never would have thought of that.”

  • Not spending enough time teaching my preschoolers. Goal: One fun/educational outing each week, one (quick) educational activity each day.

  • Unfinished projects. Goal: Don’t start a project until the last project is done and cleaned up. Solution: I could only write one item on my to-do list at a time; I couldn’t add the next until I crossed the previous one off.

  • I know nothing about cars. Goal: Learn how to take care of my car. Solution: Skim manual, service car, rotate tires, clean, detailed, waxed.

  • Ugly lawn. Goal: Learn how to take care of it and come up with a system.

  • Messy kitchen. (Again. And again.) Goal: Clean kitchen after every meal.

  • Unorganized. Goal: 30 minutes organizing/decluttering each day.

  • Behind on paperwork. Goal: 15 minutes on finances/business stuff each day.

  • Focusing too much on myself and my own family. Goal: Serve someone outside the family in a meaningful way each week.

  • Etc.

This goal-setting strategy has really been the only one that’s worked in a practical way for me. I still set overarching long-term goals for myself and my family, but for the day-to-day stuff I struggle with, a month is the perfect bite-size chunk for me. Hopefully this site can help you with your own strength training!