Leslie Forde is the CEO and Founder of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs® and the newly published author of Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Her business provides evidence-based tools to help moms reclaim their time and well-being from the never-done-list while also helping employers retain working parents and caregivers. Since March 2020, over 3,700 parents have participated in her research study—the longest-running of its kind—on the pandemic’s ongoing impact on work, care, and wellness. With over 20 years in senior leadership and a decade focused on media and technology in childcare, eldercare, mental health, and education, Leslie is a sought-after speaker and consultant. She advises organizations like HubSpot, Merck, Scholastic, and the Barr Foundation on how to retain and support parents, caregivers, and people of color.
Her insights about wellbeing, equity and the future of work have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN, National Geographic, Fast Company, US News & World Report, SHRM, and more.
“I want to learn to enjoy things more.”
“I’d like to take professional development and personal development courses.”
“I want to make more money, go back to school, have time for yoga, therapy, and real work boundaries.”
“I want to learn new hobbies.”
These aren’t just wishful statements. They’re real voices from parents in our research study. Since March 2020, we’ve heard from more than 3,700 parents—97% of them moms—about the goals they want to reach and the barriers that keep getting in the way. The common thread is clear: learning and growth are central to change. Whether your dreams include getting healthier, building stronger relationships, improving financial stability, or advancing in your career, they rarely happen on their own. They live on the other side of intention, effort, and a willingness to learn.
In our study, moms consistently put wellness and fulfillment at the top of their lists. The most common goals include:
Career growth also ranks high. While 28% say they’d like to work less, many more are focused on financial security—30% want career advancement to increase income, and 22% want more hours at work. Raising a family is joyful and rewarding, but also expensive, especially in an uncertain economy. For many, learning new skills becomes the bridge between where they are and where they want to be.
You may wonder if learning and personal growth are mostly for kids or young adults. But science tells a different story. Your brain never stops adapting. Neuroplasticity means your experiences continue to shape your mind throughout life. Whether you’re a new parent whose brain is rapidly developing in response to caregiving or someone later in life exploring new skills, growth is always possible.
Yes, aging may bring memory lapses or dips in energy. But research shows that the very act of learning—stretching yourself with new skills, experiences, and perspectives—improves brain health and cognitive resilience. In other words, you’re never too busy or too old to learn something new.
One of the biggest myths about growth is that it requires a major life overhaul. But you don’t have to quit your job or enroll in a full-time program to make progress. There are many ways to fit learning into the cracks of your life:
Self-paced online courses: platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or YouTube can help you build skills in short, flexible bursts. Live classes and workshops: perfect if you thrive on structure and accountability. Even a one-day seminar can spark momentum.
Books and audiobooks: listening during a commute, walk, or chore time is a low-pressure way to explore new ideas.
Real-life experiences: group classes, community programs, or one-on-one coaching provide both support and accountability.
The method doesn’t matter nearly as much as aligning your approach with your lifestyle and preferences. Do you absorb information best by listening? Try podcasts or audiobooks. Do visuals help? Choose courses or books with images, graphics, or video. Prefer hands-on practice? Consider a coach, trainer, or workshop that gets you moving. There’s no single “right” way—only the way that helps you keep going.
During the pandemic, millions of moms had to put everything on hold. Even today, 79% of parents in our study report they’re still doing “terribly” or “not as well as usual” with self-care. It’s no surprise that personal development has been squeezed out by work, caregiving, and the demands of survival mode.
But growth doesn’t require giant leaps. It starts with small, consistent steps. Read a few pages of a book. Sign up for a one-hour workshop. Reach out to a mentor or coach. Celebrate the process, not just the end result. As one mom in our study shared, “Forced introspection has been good for my personal development.”
Your dreams are closer than they feel. They’re waiting on the other side of learning—small, sustainable efforts that help you reclaim space for yourself and your goals.
For more reflections, you can read the full original article here: Unmet Goals? Bring Learning and Growth Back into Your Life.
If you’re ready to take the next step, you don’t have to do it alone. To go deeper and create your own growth plan, read more about creating your personal growth plan in Leslie’s forthcoming book, Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs.
