My goals for 2018

I really started to think more carefully about my goals as I started to use my Dream Plan Do planner. Lots of creative people I follow on Instagram have used it previously, and I felt like now is the time for me to get really stuck in! This was partly prompted by wanting to feel like I’m using my time wisely, but also a wish to grow my business. Opening my Etsy shop last year made me realise how much I want to be able to do this more, to be able to provide for my family if possible. I know that the business side of things is something I need to work on – I’m fine at the creative stuff, but the business needs more care and attention too!  But 2017 was hard for me in terms of going back to work after maternity leave, juggling the day job with family time and working on the business as well. I’ve learnt that I need to be kinder to myself and allow for time out if I need it. So this is something that is also reflected in my 3 goals for 2018.

Goal 1: Focus on the business side of my business

Out of my 3 goals for 2018, this is going to be the toughest challenge for me! The Dream Plan Do planner is amazing, but I must admit that it is a little bit daunting. Getting my head around lots of new things will be tough, and to be honest anything that involves maths immediately freaks me out! I know that I’m going to need help with a lot of things, so part of this goal is also not being afraid to ask for help. I can’t do everything on my own, so I need to find my tribe and ask people who can help or point me in the right direction. I’m lucky that Tom is so supportive of what I’m doing, so I know he’ll help out too (he’s already agreed that I can train him up in painting hoops!). I really hope that 2018 is the year that I can grow my business.

Goal 2: Write 4 blog posts every month

Blogging is where it all started for me, and I absolutely LOVE doing it. I really want to get momentum going with it again and post more frequently. I considered posting on the same day each week in order to have a focus, but on reflection I think that would probably be counter-productive in the long-run! Although we do have a fairly fixed routine, nap times change a little bit week to week, and I don’t want to feel like every bit of the week is accounted for. I think I would feel the pressure a bit if I felt that I really have to post every Wednesday or whatever. I chatted to Tom about it, and he suggested writing 4 posts a month which I think is a much better way of working for me! I still have something to aim for, but if I post 3 in one week and then nothing until the end of the month that’s ok.

Goal 3: Make time to craft just for me

Part of being kind to myself this year involves allowing time to craft just for me. I really love designing and making for hellohoorayshop, but I don’t want to feel like I’m only making to sell. Creativity is such an important aspect of my life, and I didn’t get a good balance of business vs personal crafting last year. I’ve already started well in terms of achieving this goal, making a few new things for my craft room (yes, a craft room!) and I hope that this can continue.

My intentions for 2018

So my intentions for 2018 are slightly different to my goals, in that they are things that I would really like to do but without any pressure. There are a few links between my intentions and goals in many ways!

Intention 1: Be kind to myself

Out of all of my intentions, this is probably the most significant. I felt a lot of pressure last year, and whilst a lot of it was coming from the day job, a lot of it was just from me! Why do we make things harder for ourselves?! I need to be so much kinder to myself this year. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s ok to give myself headspace, creative time, time out for a walk, or to buy a bunch of flowers because they make me feel happy.

Intention 2: Write more letters

I’ve recently received some lovely snail mail – a Christmas card from Tobia at Craftalicious Me, a sweet package from @meisje.mik as a random act of kindness, and a postcard from my best friend with some amazing words of encouragement. They cheered me up so much! It’s so nice to receive, but it’s even nicer to send. I’ve got out of the habit of letter writing, but I really want to take it up again. It doesn’t even need to be a long letter – a note on a postcard or something that says ‘I saw this and thought of you’ can really make someone’s day.

Intention 3: Buy a bike

Finding time for exercise is pretty hard for me. I know that might sound like a rubbish excuse, but it’s true! I’ve really missed being outside recently and I know I need to do more exercise – it would help me feel fitter but would also give me a bit more headspace too. I love to swim, but haven’t been able to make that work around family or work. So I’ve come up with the idea of buying a bike and cycling to work a couple of days a week! It’s a decent distance, but I think it would be manageable. The best thing is that it doesn’t take any additional time! I need to get to the day job somehow, and this way I won’t be stuck in traffic or stood waiting for ages to get the bus home. So I’m currently looking into this and hoping I can start cycling to work in spring.

This is a sneak peek of some of my new craft room. I just love it! I’m so very lucky to have my own space. I’m busy putting the final touches to it, and then there will be a blog post to show you more. A good way to achieve one of my goals, don’t you think?! Do you have any goals for 2018?

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So what about 2015? I’ve decided to set some goals for the year – I know that this works better for me (ignoring the crochet thing…). Some of them are craft related and others are not, but I am going to try my best to work at them all! Here they are, in no particular order…

1. Do more exercise. 2014 was the year of sitting; this year is going to be the year that I move more and eat healthily! But that doesn’t mean no cake – just more moving to balance it out. I have already printed out the 30-day squat challenge chart and a circuits for legs chart thingy (both of which I used in the run-up to our wedding, so I know they work for me). I’m also going to try to go swimming at least once a week. There – I said it, so I can do it! Huh!

2. Have more structured crafting days. I’m SO unbelievably lucky to have two days a week to do this, but I sometimes feel like I faff on a bit and then by Sunday night I’m wishing I’d done things differently! Maybe that’s just Sunday night blues, but I’m going to try to organise my time a little better and see how it goes. This will be easier once the builders have gone, and I’m going to have a good think about this before I set a loose schedule-type-thing.

3. Connect with other bloggers. This is the fun bit, but it’s often the bit that I’m least good at! Having more organised time on my blogging days should help with this, and I’m planning to read and comment on more blogs than I do currently. I’m also super excited to be going to Blogtacular this summer, so it will be nice to meet people in person!

4. Appreciate the little things. I’m taking on the 365 Grateful challenge to try to focus on this every day.

5. Let it go. No, I don’t mean like in Frozen (I have managed to avoid seeing this so far – go, me!). What I mean is that I’m going to try not to beat myself up about things, which I do quite a lot. Life is far too short for that. So I’ll focus on my number 4 goal, and not worry about numbers 1 -3 if I don’t quite manage them today. And if I don’t manage number 5 today, I can try again tomorrow.

I’m also looking forward to seeing new places, making new things (possibly crochet – who knows?!) and improving my photography skills this year. And I’ll obviously be sharing all of these things with you here! What are your goals for 2015?

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