2013 was way more amazing than I ever expected it would be. I had publicly set my goals here early in the year, and had checked in with them a few times.
All in all, in terms of business goals, 2013 was a success. I exceeded my goal for weddings, second shot a ton, including two same sex weddings! I quit my full time job 7 months ahead of schedule, and built a beautiful OFFICE! I got better with blogging and made so many new friends with industry peers.
As for my personal goals, I certainly fell short. My workaholic side kicked in and my personal life took the back seat. I haven’t been to the gym in over 4 months, and I’ve cooked maybe 2 meals at home in that much time. The dishes are constantly piled up in the sink and I’m always behind on laundry.
This year instead of quantifiable goals like number of weddings booked I want to focus on bettering myself and bettering my business.
2014 goals:
• Focusing on being present when I’m not working and set office hours.
• Spending a few evenings a week with my husband after work away from technology.
• Not overload myself physically and mentally so I can give my clients my all.
• I want to take care of my body and make exercise a part of my regular routine again.
• Learn to say “no”.
Saying no is probably the hardest and biggest goal on this list. It’s hard to say no when you hate to let people down. But this is how I always get myself into situations where I take on too much work and let my personal life and my health take the back seat. I need to work on setting limitations as to how much freelance work and teaching I can handle with my business workload. I need to keep at least one day a week off to myself – this year any time someone needed a session, if I had a free date, I filled it. And then my days off turned into 2-3 sessions a day plus all of the editing that comes with that… and then next thing I know, I’m going 5 months without a day off. When that all ended, I was burned out and spent the better part of a month in bed. Not healthy.
This year I already have over 30 weddings booked so I know it’s going to be a busy one, but it’s going to be amazing too! I just need to learn to take care of myself while giving my clients the amazing service that they deserve. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. This year, it’s time to learn how to do both.
2014 is going to be such an amazing year! I am so excited for you and have set really similar personal goals–it’s way to easy to just work work work :-/
I’m so excited to see what you have in store for 2014! I definitely need to get better at putting the phone down and quit emailing people all night. Like Emilia said, it is SO easy to just work work work.
Love your personal goals – especially saying “no”. I struggle with that one too!
Saying no is so hard. Here is to an amazing 2014! I am so glad I got to meet you in 2013!!!
I’ll have one of everything on your to-do list!
time with husband away from technology. work work work work work I feel like is all I’m doing!
Those are some awesome goals. Time management is one of my goals and that will definitely help to focus on what important when needed, like time with your husband!
Rock it OUT.
Love it!! Saying no is such a huge one! I know this is going to be an amazing year for you Brea!!
xo
M:)