Twenty Seventeen: A New Beginning
Welcome to Twenty Seventeen: A New Beginning.
New year. Fresh start. Clean slate. The perfect time to take a look back and see what worked…and what didn’t. I’m determined to keep the good but do away with the bad.
I’m really not much of a goal-setter. My problem with setting goals is that, like most of the human race, I feel like a failure if I don’t reach them. So my answer to that problem is usually to just skip the goal-setting altogether. However, this year I did decide to set some goals.
Just a few. After all, there’s no need to get carried away. I’ve divided these goals into personal and professional…so here goes.
Personal Goals
I have three personal goals for 2017. The first is to start walking again, outside, with Kelly. A few years ago we were attacked on a walk by a large dog and even though it’s been a long time, I’m still afraid. I am determined to overcome this fear and be able to again enjoy a walk with my dog. I’m not exactly sure how to go about it, but I’m going to figure it out.
My second goal, and this sort of goes along with the walking, is to take better care of myself. I don’t do a very good job of putting myself first or making time for myself. I don’t eat right and I don’t sleep well. All of these things are connected and if I can improve on even a few, the rest may fall into place. That’s my hope anyway.
My third personal goal is to somehow get rid of the carpet in our living and dining rooms. Seriously people…it just has to go. I am saving my money but I still don’t know if I can afford what I really want. After all this time, I don’t want to “settle.” Hopefully, things will work out so I’ll keep you updated.
Professional Goals
Some of you may wonder how exactly I make a living from this blog. I have never really spelled it out in a post, but I do on my Disclosure Statement page. If you are interested, you can read it HERE. It’s actually just like a blog post…I promise it’s not a bunch of legal jargon. On my Disclosure Statement page, I explain the many different ways I earn money. My main goal for 2017 is not to add more income streams, but to concentrate on the ones I already have. I’ve planted the seeds and now it’s time to nurture them, and take care of them, so they grow. First and most importantly, I want to continue to post relevant content for you to read. I want to expand my digital line in my Etsy shop and I want to add fresh designs to my Society6 shop. I’m going to share more of my eBay articles here on my blog as well. If some great opportunity presents itself, I will certainly take a look…but I have my hands full with my current endeavors and have no plans to add any more. One other professional goal I have is to make more and better videos. I showed you a few in my Best of 2016 post. If you missed it, just click HERE.
All that said, I think it’s important to distinguish between dreams and goals. I still have dreams…but they aren’t goals that are within my reach. I would absolutely love to renovate a farmhouse and be featured in a magazine. Those are dreams I’ve had for a very long time, but they don’t define me and they are no longer goals. I don’t think about them very often and am truly happy right where I am. I’m a firm believer in the concept that dreams do come true…because I have seen it happen. That’s why it’s so important for us to NOT give up on our dreams…we just have to put them in perspective.
Click to download Louisa May Alcott printable.
So…let’s take today to leave the past year in the dust and open the first page of a brand new book called Twenty Seventeen. It’s crisp and fresh…and the pages have never been turned before. This is your year to shine.
Wishing you a year filled with laughter and grace,
If you are still deciding on a 2017 calendar, don’t forget about my free PDF.
It includes a year-at-a-glance, separate monthly calendars, weekly planner, weekly meal planner,
and an inspirational printable.
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