Ramblings-n-Writings

Posts Tagged ‘goals’

At the end of 2008, I posted my goals for 2009. Now that 2009 is over, which is incredibly hard to believe, I want to reflect on how I did.

Here’s my original goals…

• I want to strengthen my business.
• I want to organize.
• I want to write my novel!

I followed up during the year with two other posts … Am I Meeting Goals? and Reflecting on Goals. Those posts will give you a little more insight into my plans.

So how did I do?

My business is producing an income, especially now that I’m able to invest more time and money into it. I have definitely seen the benefits of social media and online networking. I had a period of time where I wasn’t able to put as much time into twitter and blogging as I would like, and I can see how it has affected my business. (Note to self: goal for 2010 = consistently blog and tweet) I am completely self-sufficient on my business income starting 2010 – something I never would have imagined.

Organization is going to be a lifetime goal because I don’t think I’ll ever reach the point I want. The paper piles will forever invade my space. But it’s getting easier to toss that irrelevant piece of paper that I think I might need, especially after it has sat in the same spot for weeks and weeks. Yep, definitely needed to save that paper. Ha!

And then the final goal: writing my novel. God definitely had other plans in that area. I no longer have a desire or plan to write a novel, unless God places it on my heart. I do, however, intend to write about the life lessons I learned in 2009.

I had no idea on June 29 when I wrote Reflecting on Goals and included Psalm 119:165 …

Great peace have they which love thy law:
and nothing shall offend them.

how true that verse would become within a matter of days. God showed Himself so faithful in 2009, and I can’t wait to see what He’s going to do in 2010!

As far as goals for 2010 … still working on those!

At the end of 2008, I posted three personal goals for 2009. Since we’re coming to the close of June, … Can you seriously believe June is almost gone and the year is half over? I can’t! … I want to evaluate where I am at with my goals. (See my 3-month follow up post here.)

Here’s my original goals…

• I want to strengthen my business.
• I want to organize.
• I want to write my novel!

So, how am I doing?

Strengthening: I still feel like I’m doing okay in this area. As before, the income is sporadic (comes with the territory of freelancing). Right now, I have two projects I’m working on and four that I’ve given estimates for. While I would love for all four of those estimates to turn in to work, one in particular would be awesome. Pray that it comes through! In the meantime, I’m working on three very specific goals:

• Goal #1: Advertising – In early June, I advertised my services in the state writers’ conference program – no hits yet from that, but I’m hoping! With our upcoming additional income (read: workers’ compensation settlement – WOOT!), I’m planning on some local advertising, primarily in a really awesome rural W.Va. publication called Two Lane Livin’ (great content, huge readership, reasonable rates – definitely works for me).
• Goal #2: Web Site – While the Skala Creative site is celebrating its one year anniversary, I’m working towards developing a more dynamic site that will attract visitors and retain them. The main addition will be a blog with new and revolving content as well as a redesigned portfolio. (Shout out to Jared at Filament Pop for helping me re-develop the site! Thanks, Jared!)
• Goal #3: Networking – So much of today’s freelance world involves networking via social media, which is great when you live out in the sticks. I have a personal goal of responding to 3-5 Twitter writer friends a day with the hopes of engaging in conversation. I also shamelessly self promote on Facebook and emails. And I’m trying to participate in the ACFW loops by responding to questions I feel fall in my area of knowledge.

Organizing: Still feeling good in this area! Other than staying aware of this need and not slacking, I’ve established my daily routine and am still lovin’ my iPod Touch. In the last half of the year, I need to work on organizing those awful stacks of papers that self-propogate overnight. Personally, I think it might be a lost cause.

Writing: While I’m excited about all my goals, writing is the one that I’m most excited about. I discovered the “loops” on the ACFW site and have learned tons just in the past two weeks. I can’t believe how much I was missing out on by not visiting the loops! And, here’s the best part concerning writing …

Last week, through a series of events, I felt like God finally gave me the “go ahead” to write the story on my heart. If you’ve been around Ramblings-n-Writings for awhile, you know that I’ve dabbled with writing a novel. However, I never had the peace I needed to devote a lot of time to writing. Over the past year, I’ve done research, thought of scenarios, dreamed about characters, and I’m finally ready to roll! I truly believe it will be a beautiful story in the end. Two specific goals…

• Spend the next month (July) concentrating on writing and polishing with the intent of submitting to a contest in September. Again, not sure if it will work out since I just found out about the contest last week. Since the number of contest entrants is limited, I’m praying a spot will still be open when I’m ready to submit.
• Attend ACFW Conference, September 17-20, in Denver, CO. I would LOVE to do this. Absolutely LOVE it. Not sure if the details will work out, but praying they will! Going to the conference could involve a potential cross country road trip for the Farmer and me. I’ve never been west of Chicago, so we’re tentatively planning on hitting up all the big sites in the western USA. And after about 6,000 miles, we’ll be back home.

Good things are happening here and I’m excited to see what the rest of 2009 holds. But, as always, when good things happen, the Devil attacks. For the last six months, it seems like we’ve been attacked constantly, one thing after another in every area – from family to finances to friends.

Through it all, I’m challenged each day to keep the proper attitude and perspective on life and to continue on doing what I know is right and acceptable in God’s eyes. The verse that comes to mind almost daily is Psalm 119:165 …

Great peace have they which love thy law:
and nothing shall offend them.

At the end of 2008, I posted three personal goals for 2009. Since three months have gone by, I went back and revisited my goals. Here’s my original goals…

• I want to strengthen my business. We need a more consistent income in that area, so that’s going to be my top priority.
• I want to organize. Not that I’m not organized now, but I need a more settled routine for reading, reviewing, blogging, working, tutoring, advertising, networking, twittering etc. I’m starting to feel very scatter-brained … and that’s not a good thing!
• I want to write my novel! As soon as I have the monetary means, I plan to start working with a writing mentor and hopefully, get the story burdening my heart on paper!

So, how am I doing?

Strengthening: I feel like I’m doing okay in this area. The income is still sporadic; however, I’ve taken time to set very specific goals and work towards achieving those goals. We won’t be able to live solely off my income any time soon, but what income I generate definitely helps.

Organizing: Definitely feeling better in this area! My best investment was my iPod Touch which goes everywhere I go. My calendar is a click away, and I can catch up with Twitter, e-mail, and blogging in a couple of seconds. Having a one-stop place for all my information is great. I don’t have to sit down with my laptop and watch time fly away.

Writing: More progress in this area too! I haven’t done a lot of actual writing (goal #1 takes priority). I’m working with a writing mentor and recently joined ACFW, so I feel good.

One thing that has helped me immensely the past two months is meeting with a business accountability partner. Every Thursday afternoon I meet online for about an hour with a wonderful person I met via Twitter. We spend time rejoicing over what we’ve accomplished, picking each other’s brains for ideas, and setting new goals for the next week. I thank God that He placed @stargardener in my life! We share the belief that God directs our paths and nothing is an accident.

At this point, I don’t feel like I need to set new goals or change my current goals. I’ll revisit them in three months with the hope of changing #3 to “finish writing” meaning I’ve made good progress and am near the end!