Since we just entered the last quarter of 2013, I thought this would be a great time to recap my 2013 goals and share my progress on them so far! I’m happy to say I’m mostly done with them…just a few more things I really need to accomplish before the year is out!

• Develop client gifts. Done. My old gifts were so much fun to send out because they were largely handmade…but since my business has grown, I don’t have the time that some of these things took. Fortunately, I have some new things going out to fall and 2014 clients that are hopefully just as thoughtful and enjoyed, but don’t take as much time to put together! I would share, but my clients read the blog…shhhh!
• Implement PASS. Done. I have been enjoying the convenience that PASS offers my business and really love being able to get my clients their images more quickly. But I’m not married to PASS and I’m considering trying some new alternatives in the coming year! There are a couple of things I’m not really in love with about PASS and I’m hoping I can find something that fits all of my needs!
• Tweak my workflow. IN PROGRESS. I literally just started using PhotoMechanic and though my old system was great and pretty fast…PhotoMechanic is like LIGHTNING. And I want to marry it. My workflow has gotten so much more organized! There are a few more tweak to make, but mostly it’s looking good!
• Start a monthly duty day. HAVEN’T STARTED. I need to do this! Soon!
• Simplify bookkeeping. DONE. Okay. I was using a spreadsheet…then I started using mint.com. Way better! I don’t have to do much at all! I let Mint do all of the work for me!
• Invest in new gear. INCOMPLETE. Okay. I haven’t bought a lot of the things I really wanted to buy. Some other things came up this summer that I decided to invest in instead, but I think thats okay.
• Better work/life balance. In progress. This has been so much harder than I thought. It’s been harder than it was when I made this goal because I’m co-editor of a wedding blog now and planning a workshop with some friends. I have made a pact to shut down my computer and my work by six pm every night this week and so far its been going well. This means scheduling social media and posts ahead of time and generally trying to be on top of things.
• SECRET PROJECTS. DONE. Sort of. Okay, so I can finally reveal to you what the secret projects were! I wanted to start teaching this year (I was actually thinking of doing mentoring sessions though) and I ended up having the opportunity to join Envision! It’s crazy how that worked out!! And then I really wanted to start Marry & Bright as well! Both things came to fruition even though I wasn’t really sure if they would! (Side note, a small amount of seats are still available and now selling for $1500!!)

Here’s my progress on the other goals I made for myself at the last update:

• Book ten 2014 weddings. I’ve booked seven as of today and hopefully will have booked two more by the end of the week…which would bring me one away from my goal with three months left in the year! Hopefully I will surpass the goal!
• Plan a honeymoon/getaway with John. This still has not happened. I honestly don’t know when it will, either. We have been talking a lot lately about sending me to Korea next year to visit and see where I was born for the first time…and to be real with you guys, we don’t have the money for both of us to go. Who knows what will happen though! I know a year ago I couldn’t have imagined my life would be where it is today.
• Experiment with film on the side. I honestly have not had time:( But I still have two rolls of film. And I have started experimenting a little with video on the side, which is SUPER fun and almost as exciting!!
• Give the blog a facelift. Done! Thanks to Krista Jones!
• Volunteer. I’m hoping to organize a group of photographers to do something this Fall/Holiday season! Fingers crossed I can make it happen!
• Utilize social media better. I’m still working on this one, but I’ve figured out that scheduling is the best way to utilize social media and make the best of it without spending a ton of time on it! I use HootSuite and Facebook for this!
• Finally make and order a sample album. I have yet to order a sample, but I ordered one for clients from Madera and it was absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait to have my own to show off!
• Host a client party. Still working on this one. It might not happen this year, but it’s on my long term goal list!

Overall I’m pretty happy with this list. I think my progress is going pretty well and as long as I keep it up, the rest of the year is looking great! Can’t wait to finish out the year on a high note!

How are you guys doing on your goals for the year? Anyone have a ton left to do?? There’s still plenty of time left!!