Tag / settinggoals

by caitlyncallahan14

new year’s resolutions

Yes, I’m one of the millions of people who makes New Year’s resolutions each year.

I’m also one of the millions who usually gives up on those goals one, three or six months into the year.

I don’t go crazy with my resolutions. Like, instead of saying I want to lose 30 lbs., I instead say I want to eat healthier, get in the habit of exercising, and feel better about myself. I try to keep them general to help increase my chances of success. (I recognize that’s the opposite of what they teach you about setting goals, but in this scenario it seems to work better for me.)

A lot of people look at the new year as a fresh start.

#newyearnewme

In just a couple of days, we will be entering a new decade. And I can feel big, great things coming my way.

2019 was rough. It certainly had it’s ups, but it also had some of the lowest downs I think I’ll ever feel. And I’m determined to take everything I’ve felt and learned right into 2020 and make it one of the best years yet.

A few of my 2020 professional-bucket goals include:

  • Five consistent freelance clients throughout the year.
  • Complete fulfillment (and perhaps a promotion) at my existing job.
  • Re-focus building my business with the ability to be solely reliant by 2022.
  • Build my blog and brand, and continue providing timely, exceptional work for my clients.
  • Earn at least two certifications in a marketing field.
  • Become more educated in business ownership, finances and accounting.

I’ve already begun planning my content calendar and social media post calendars for myself and my clients, and committing to building my client list as much as I can handle. I’ve already set several personal and professional goals for myself, and written out my plan for accomplishment.

  • Submit 10 proposals per week for clients.
  • Have three consistent freelance clients by March 31.
  • Have five consistent freelance clients by June 30.
  • Commit one hour per day to my business – whether it’s for myself or a client.
  • Finish one certification by April 30.
  • Finish second certification by November 30.

I also want to commit to journaling at least one time per week, reading at least one book per month, and setting daily intentions. These are all things I have done in the past and have fallen out of habit, and I strive to re-commit to them next year.

For a few months, I fell out of love with my business and my work. But recently, I’ve fallen back. I thrive when I’m writing. I glean excitement from working with prospective and existing clients. I feel accomplished and proud when I complete an assignment. It’s a different kind of fulfillment the I get from my day-to-day job, and something I want to continue feeling for a long time. It’s also something I want to re-focus on building and creating in 2020.

2020 will be my year. It will be a year for my business and brand, my clients, and my success. What personal or professional goals are you setting in 2020? Share in the comments!

by caitlyncallahan14

vision boards

Since I was a child, I’ve been encouraged to set goals and do what I need to do – whatever it took – to accomplish them.

Whether it was getting an “A” in a class, landing my first (or second, or third) job, being accepted to college, earning my master’s degree, studying abroad, moving to a new city, starting my business… it started with having a goal. Once I had the goal, I had to envision accomplishing it. Sometimes, that included making a plan for getting there. Other times it was simply doing what it took – staying at practice longer than everyone else, constantly reading and writing to improve my craft, setting up my Upwork profile to begin my freelancing career.

Recently I’ve been taking a long, hard look at my life and what my next goals are. I’ve accomplished a lot in my 27 years so far, and this year has been a whirlwind both physically and emotionally. As I check things off my bucket list, such as formalizing my consulting business, I’ve realized it’s time to set my next one, five and even 10 year goals, in addition to focusing on the next 3-6 months.

Most of the time, I make a list of my goals. This week, I tried something different.

Have you ever heard of vision boarding? It’s when you cut or print photos of what you want in your life, or how you want your life to be, and pin it on a board where you can look at it every day. I had a vision board once – house, car, engagement ring, family, beach condo, a book with my byline. I still have many of those goals. They say visualizing your goals is a great way to accomplish them. But after reading the book You Are a Writer (so start ACTING like one) by Jeff Goins, I had another plan.

His words encouraged me to start writing again for the sake of writing, because I love it, with no rules or purpose. As I sat at my desk and thought about it, I was encouraged with an idea – to develop a vision board, but with words.

A vision immediately flooded my mind. Waking up (no alarm) next to my boyfriend, our dog at my feet. Tip-toeing out of bed, puttering across our kitchen and living room, to the back patio sliding door. Opening it. A gush of salty sea air hitting my face. Journaling and meditation on the porch with a cup of coffee, sun in my face. Gathering my things and walking down to the beach. Setting up my spot, and opening my laptop to check emails and log time for my clients. The vision is my family five years from now, living in our little beach house in the Carolinas, freelancing full time and living the life I’ve always dreamed.

As I wrote, 3,000 words poured from my fingertips. I felt myself being embodied by my vision. I embraced my thoughts and the feeling of pure joy and excitement to be living the life I’ve imagined. It made me excited and to be honest, I got a slight thrill. Butterflies in the pit of my stomach. It was exhilarating to envision my life the way I want it to be, and write about it as it is truth. I imagined a future journal entry celebrating how far I’ve come accomplishing my goals and it felt amazing.

I’ve decided I’m going to make this at least weekly personal development time. Taking time to focus on building and envisioning my goals will help me prepare for them better and accomplish them faster.

REFLECTION: How do you keep track of your goals? What do you to do work toward accomplishing them? What goals are you working toward now? Leave your story in the comments!