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Bring it on, 2019!

I’m a sucker for New Year Resolutions. There’s something about the energy behind a new year that makes goal setting exciting.

And then February hits and that excitement starts to dim… 

Sound familiar?

I am no stranger to this. I think my issue (and maybe it’s yours too), is that I didn’t set a plan for myself, I didn’t set a deadline AND I asked way too much of myself at once to keep track.

Luckily, this is the new year and all the goal setting sins of yesteryear are washed away. So, if you’re looking to give goal setting another go, try these simple exercises to get started.

1. Review your past resolutions/goals
   What did you achieve? Don’t forget to celebrate these! What didn’t work out and why? Be honest now!
   
   
2. Set new goals
   Again, be honest! What have you been putting off that you want to try? What genuinely interests you? Don’t cave into stereotypical goals out of peer pressure.
   
   
3. Set a Plan
   List out the steps/tools/resources required to get you to your goal. 
   
   
4. Map it out
   Not every goal has to start at once. That’s too overwhelming! Look at a calendar and assign dates for your steps. Don’t forget to set deadlines.

I followed this process and took a good look at my list from 2018. I was honest about what I didn’t achieve and really asked myself why it didn’t work out the first time. From there, I was able to outline these goals for 2019.

Blog

• Write 1-2 blog posts per month
• Optimize SEO on the website
• Create a Lightroom Preset

Career

• Take a graphic design course
• Update services page on my website
• Update portfolio on my website
• Attend a networking event every couple of months
• Pick up 5 photography gigs

Personal

Pack more lunches for work

• Respond to messages more quickly  
• Get a tattoo
• Do a boudoir shoot
• Sign up for another jewellery class
• Travel to a new country in 2019
• Max out my TFSA
• Collaborate with another photographer or model every couple of months.
• Share more of what makes me happy, not just for others.

For those who want a different or guided approach to goal setting, try “YearCompass“. A coworker introduced me to this website at the start of 2019. Their downloadable pdf booklet helps you reflect on the previous year and plan for the next.

AND that’s it! Sure, this looks like a lot, but a proper plan can take you far. And I want to go far in 2019! Something tells me it’s time to give myself (and yourself) that opportunity.