Looking forward - 2018 goals

If you've been following me for a while, then you know I'm really big on writing down goals. When I started my pet sitting business many moons ago, I jotted down numbers (how many new clients, how many visits, how much income and so on) that I hoped to make happen. The goals were small but achievable as long as I pushed myself. And when I reached those goals, I set new ones. Sometimes they were ambitious, but I didn't realize until later, how doing this helped me accomplish everything I wanted - and so much more! 

It's been years since I was in that business start-up frame of mind. These last couple of years with my photography business has been more about something that I do on the side. But about 1/3 of the way into this year, I decided to kick things up a notch. I started blogging twice a year, sharing on Instagram 4 - 5 days a week, and posting on Facebook at least twice a week. I booked more paying clients, donated sessions to local charities, and photographed more creating little challenges to improve my skills as a photographer and artist. I entered print competition and did far better than I dreamed I would for a first time entry. I met a lot of my goals for this year, and some not at all. By the end of the year, I realized that while I achieved more this year than last, I could have done even more. 

So as 2017 winds down, I've been busy planning out my goals for 2018. And let me tell you - they are ambitious ones! The more I got in touch with what my dreams for myself and my business are, the bigger my dreams became. And I'm not talking about dreams I should have. But dreams I really want to make come true. Like I must be crazy, but I'm not, dreams. I've been so focused on what this is and realized just how much my fears are keeping me from living the life I want. Not anymore. 

I've had some ideas that I want to implement in my photography, but so far have been too afraid to try. Things that I can't stop thinking about, so you're going to see some new and exciting work from me next year. Perhaps a little outside the box too (for me), but I'm super excited! I'm also working on making a huge transition in my life that will allow me to focus more time on my photography. It's been several years in the making and I'm finally ready to let go of some things and embrace a new lifestyle. I've got marketing ideas that I've been sitting on for a couple of years that I'm going to stop being afraid of pursuing. One thing hasn't changed though and that is my love for our furry best friends. So while I may move in a different and exciting direction, there will be plenty of fur kids involved in many of my projects!

So before bidding aidos to 2017, I'm going to savor these last few moments and all that I have accomplished. Here's to an amazing 2018 and making dreams come true!