For the longest time I hated the New Year. Especially New Year’s Eve. It’s not like I wasn’t excited to start fresh with a new year…it was more the fact that I hate change (I’m terrible at it!!) so leaving the last year behind was always bittersweet. But this year I surprised myself when I realized I wasn’t as sad about the end of 2012 as I thought I would be. 2012 was an incredible year for us…sure it had it’s ups and downs, but I know 2013 is going to be an amazing year.
Here are a few of my goals for 2013!
Business goals:
- Develop client gifts. I’m so excited about this! In 2012 I feel like I did pretty well with client gifts, but as my business has started to grow, my gifting hasn’t really changed any. My goal is to come up with some ideas that are representative of me and my brand, are things people will love and be happy to receive, and are also pretty budget friendly.
- Implement PASS. Ohhhh I’m going to blog about this one very soon. But the short story here is that PASS is a super awesome cloud storage/image delivery system that can be incorporated with Plus sites!! This year I’m going to phase out DVDs and figure out a way to roll out PASS that will fit my clients and my brand.
- Tweak my workflow. In 2012 I got a system going, but there are a few things I could be better at. I’m going to really buckle down and get this under control…my goal is to deliver each wedding ahead of the promised time, so hopefully tweaking my workflow will allow me to make that happen!
- Start a monthly duty day. Katelyn James blogged about this a few times and I LOVE this idea. I was never a huge procrastinator, but running my business full time and not having anyone to be accountable to has turned me into one:( There are just a few things that I HATE doing but have to be done…like going to the post office and paying our bills. I love Katelyn’s idea to just do these tasks one day a month and check them off the list.
- Simplify bookkeeping. Honestly, this should have been at the top of my list. I am terrible at keeping track of where my business expenses are going and thinking about it makes me want to break out in a cold sweat. I’m not a math or numbers person at all…I’d much rather look at packaging or figure out marketing strategies than crunch numbers all day! I’m going to try out a few things and figure out what works for me…any suggestions or advice on what works for you are appreciated if you want to throw those out there! Haha.
- Invest in new gear. I know I said I was going to do this last year, and I did make a small purchase or two, but I got a Pelican case for Christmas and 2013 is going to be all about going HAM on filling it up!
- Better work/life balance. I suck at this. Seriously. I’m supposed to be on vacation right now, but I’m writing this post. I really have very little life that’s separate from my business, but this year my goal is to take my life back and make time to be a normal person.
- SECRET PROJECTS. Oh I wish I could tell you about these. Just cross your fingers for me and hope that they work out!
A couple of personal goals…
- Attend a concert. I’ve never been to a concert! Is that weird? I’m twenty five years old!! I want to see a band I really love. I’m DYING to see Band of Horses, but the last two times they came near me I couldn’t go:( Fingers crossed I can see them this year!!!
- Run a half marathon. Last year I decided I wanted to run a marathon. I feel like that was kind of unrealistic for someone who has never run a race…so I decided this year my goal will be a half marathon. Too much?? I start running again next week! We’ll see how it goes.
- Drink more water. I love soda. I do! Specifically Sprite. And this is such a terrible habit, but I admit that there have been a few days where the only thing I had to drink was soda. I know, I know, that’s so awful!! To encourage myself to drink more water, I’ve started chopping up lemons and limes to keep in the fridge to throw in my water. And I’ve got a few quart mason jars I’m going to drink out of to gauge my progress.
So that’s it! My 2013 goals in a nutshell. Any special goals you guys have for this year? Feel free to share them below in the comments!
Love these!!!
I have to say I’m pretty shocked that you’ve NEVER been to a concert! This blows my mind! I’m going to be seeing Matchbox 20 in February with my husband and my parents, the tickets were an xmas gift to all of us from my grandmother 🙂
Pelican cases kick ass, I can’t wait to hear what you fill yours up with! Happy happy 2013!! Here’s to another successful year!
Katie,
I love your goals! 🙂 Not to extreme, achievable, and fun. I’m terrible at bookkeeping and sometimes don’t even want to think about it, but here is to new habits. Good luck with your resolutions! And have fun filling your pelican bag 😉
Cheers,
Katie
I’m so soooo glad I’m not the only person who hasn’t attended a concert before!!! Hmm I think a 2013 goal post may be a good idea! Will get my thinking cap on! Really want to know about your secret projects but will have to just wait and find out!
You’ll knock those goals out of the park – EASY!!!
These are awesome! Excited to see you check all of these off your list and kick ass!
We share so many of the same goals my dear! Cheers to making 2013 the best year yet!
So – who would you want to see in concert!? I’m going to see Pink at the Verizon Center in March!
Can’t wait to hear about your secret projects!!
Cheers to a FAAAABulous 2013!!
Try Polar Seltzer! It’s the most flavorful carbonated water EVER! It helped me get over soda! I know Giant and Harris Teeter carry it. Good luck on half training! I did a 16 week 3x/week program that I’d be happy to pass along if you’d like. Hope 2013 is good to you!!
YAY!! I love those prints and I’m so excited for you to meet your goals this year! (I already know you’re going to!!!)…Also I’m going to bug you to tell me about your secret projects..mwahahha
love these ideas!!
Pelican cases are the BEST. So awesome to hear that you got one!
Love this post and wishing you a wonderful 2013! 🙂
i definitely need to drink more water too! they have these cool water bottles that you can adjust a nob to show how many bottles of water you had that day. that always helps me. being at school with 3-year-old kids can make you lose your mind a bit haha and i forget to drink! hahaha. good luck with your goals! you’ll do an amazing job! 🙂
You should sign up for Wave Accounting. It’s free and links to your bank account and keeps track of all your income, expenses and invoices. It even allows for online payments now. It’s such a lifesaver!
whoa! a marathon!! i was crazy and my first “race” was a 10-miler and then i ran a half-marathon a few weeks later. it was TOUGH, but i did it. you can totally do it, girl!!