Well with January almost behind us I thought it would be a great time to share my goals for the New Year with you (I’ve put it off long enough:)…..that is if you’re not already sick of hearing about goals, resolutions, dreams, and plans. I promise to keep it simple and FOCUSED!

I’ve come up with a new plan this year for achieving some of my big GOALS and I think it just might work because I’m already off to a great start! And there’s a reason behind this NEW strategy. You see I didn’t do a great job of keeping up with my goals and plans last year. When I look back at the list I wonder…..what was I thinking?!

I had 12 goals that I set for myself last year which is great and ambitious but there was a problem with that. The problem was they weren’t specific enough and I didn’t remind myself of them everyday. This is probably the first time that I’ve looked at them since writing them down (just keeping it real here). Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled beyond belief of all that happened last year and all that I did accomplish, but I have bigger more focused plans for this year!!

I would say out of the 12 goals set, I maybe hit on 4 or 5 of them…..not very good and not fully committed. I won’t bore you with ones I hit and which ones I didn’t. I’m just moving forward and not looking back. I have a new strategy for this new year and so far so good!!

#1 CELEBRATE projects: So this is a BIG one for me this year and I’m putting a lot of FOCUS (my word of the year) on it. I am one that tends to wrap up client projects and quickly move on to the next one and I never take the time to CELEBRATE all of my hard work. My client’s deserve this just as much as I do…with every completed project, it’s time to celebrate.

This is going to be challenging but this is exactly how I plan to tackle it……I have scheduled a photo shoot EVERY SINGLE MONTH of one of my completed projects! My client’s often put as much into each project as I do. We work together like a well oiled machine to bring about the perfect outcome. They’re thrilled and I’m thrilled so why not capture the moment.

With all of these photo shoots comes hard work, planning and a huge time and financial commitment. I’m ready for the challenge. I have already completed two shoots and am already planning my next. The icing on the cake would be seeing some of my work published in a Regional or National magazine…..that’s my hopes, that is part of this GOAL for the year! (fingers crossed, holding breath, AND WORKING HARD)

#2 Be SELECTIVE: So what I mean by this, is basically I need to say NO a lot….stay FOCUSED and keep my eye on the prize. I am naturally a people pleaser and I always want to make everyone happy. As an Interior Designer who is always shooting for success, wants only happy clients and who wants her business to continue to thrive, I cannot possibly say yes to everyone and take on every project. it just isn’t physically possible.

I truly have some of the most thoughtful, generous and kindhearted clients that anyone could ask for. My plan is to keep working with those that are a perfect fit for me and my business WHICH MEANS I might have to say NO THANK YOU to some projects that may not be a fit. It’s not because I don’t want to help everyone, I just can’t possibly with the time I have. Business is wonderful and I am so grateful for everyone I have ever worked with, I just know it can be even BETTER!!

So ultimately this means that I will be working on a select few FULL SERVICE PROJECTS, fun projects, enjoyable projects, inspiring projects throughout the year. My clients ultimately achieve their dreams when they allow time and proper budget (yep, I said it) for the full creative process. I’m not saying that there shouldn’t be a budget at all (that is not responsible), I’m just saying that there should be a fair and reasonable one. There should be elements of customization and creativity and having that squashed by Designing on a Dime is no fun for anyone.

#3 Get ORGANIZED: I would love to be that meticulous, super organized, everything has a place type of person but naturally I’m just not. I have to WORK at it. I have already hired a NEW accountant (who will keep me very accountable, I can already tell) and I’ve transferred to a NEW project management system. Just committing to and following through on these two changes will make a huge difference in the way I operate BUT I have an even BIGGER GOAL.

I want to completely build out a new office space, complete with custom organization, tons of storage, functional, beautiful and INSPIRING!! I have no idea HOW this is going to happen, I just know it’s going to happen. The how isn’t important to me right now, just knowing what I want is a start to moving in the right direction!! (and if my office happens to have a lake view, well that’s even better….hence the photo above:)

#4 Live HEALTHY: This has always been a hard one for me. I struggle with consistency in this area but this time I have a better plan, better mindset, better strategy. So I started off slow by committing to attending three spin classes a week at my local gym, so far so good.

This may sound crazy but what I really think has helped me stay on track with my fitness classes is a fantastic blog post titled 99% is a BITCH, 100% is a breeze written by my mentor Tobi Fairley. If you haven’t already read it, and you struggle to stay on track, you must go check it out. It made everything so clear for me!

With exercise well underway, I had to make a drastic change in what I was eating. For just a short time I’ve been eating ONLY whole, prepared at home, foods….nothing processed and nothing packaged. We’ve been buying all fresh vegetables, fruits and lean protein. I am following a pretty strict regimen but it’s working, I’ve already lost 6 pounds in just a short time and it’s been easy for once!

I feel great, I have a ton of energy and I’m so ready to take on this New Year with excitement, FOCUS and passion. There is a great book and plan that I’m following and I’d be happy to share more with you if you’re interested. Email me and I’ll fill you in:)

WHEW….that is a lot!! It’s not 12 but see how much more detailed I am about each one. And that’s one of my strategies for achieving more this year. I’m FOCUSING on four ONLY, that’s it. And they are pinned up in front of me in my office where I can see them and be reminded everyday.

To help me even more in achieving my goals, I’m adding 3 MUST-DO’s to my to-do list everyday that specifically get me closer to them (these are 3 things to do that are goal specific and have nothing to do with my daily to-do list). Three, that’s it, everyday!! It could be as easy as attending a spin class, scheduling a photo shoot, or visiting the local Whole Foods. They could also be something like contacting an editor or field scout, planning my finances for my new office space, or calling one of my favorite past clients and inviting them to lunch!

So my strategy this year is FOUR goals and THREE must-do’s everyday (except on the weekends of course). My must-do’s can be big or small depending on what else I have on my plate for the day….it’s that simple. What do you think?!?!

**BONUS TIP: If you need a little boost in reaching and achieving your goals, I cannot recommend enough that you read HARD GOALS. The first chapter alone helped me tremendously and has set me on a great path. It’s not what you think and it’s totally different from anything else I have done! It’s definitely one of my favorite reads.

Here’s to achieving everything we set our minds too…..2013 is going to be HUGE!!

XOXO

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