I shared this post on my Instastory’s the other day that made me reflect on goal setting. While I know what I want and need to do this year, I was three months into 2018 and had yet to have a list of goals to refer to. That’s not even like me. I wrote that post two years ago and SO much has changed since then. This site has grown exponentially. I’ve grown into collaborating with brands and creating products and services that have helped so many other women. I hit a four year anniversary at my company and hit some career milestones on the way. I got engaged and am in the process of planning a wedding. Not to mention, combining my life with a whole ‘nother human. I may be late, but I can’t preach about the importance of goal setting without living it. Perhaps by sharing them publicly with you all, it’ll make it easier to be held accountable.
Brand
I knocked out one of my brand goals in the first quarter, which was launching the No B.S. Blog Building E-Course. Did I mention I had to open up ten additional seats due to capacity? *Humble brag* But as far as The B Werd goes, I’m planning on launching two additional werkbooks that are going to help everyone who’s worked through my Brand Beginnings Werkbook take their blog and brand to the next level. I’m talking, some amazing resources and collaboration opportunities. I’m also anticipating my first five figure brand collaboration along with some invitations to some really exciting events. What I have the opportunity to do now is so much different than when I started in 2015, or even last year so I’m truly looking forward to taking The B Werd to the next level.
Career
I’ve been at my current company for a little over four years and it’s been an amazing and flexible place for me to build a career while still being able to baby my passions. My plan was never to be a full-time blogger, or even entrepreneur, so it’s still incredibly important to me to make sure that I’m growing in my career which is where balance comes into play. It may seem as though I’m not doing as much on social media and the blog, but in order for me to execute some of my 9-5 goals, it’s going to require more of my time and focus. I want to create something new by focusing on our Young Professionals instead of our regular clients, so wish me luck!
Money
Last year my goal was to save. I quit buying designer shoes, starting bringing my lunch to work and was able to stack up an attractive amount. Let’s just say, I could’ve bought my BMW cash all because I scaled back my lifestyle a little bit. However, I’d also never worked so hard in my life as I did in 2017. 2018 is definitely going to cost me LOL. We have so many expensive things going on in our personal life that I’m glad I made saving my goal last year. It’s certainly provided us with cushion as well as piece of mind through these transitions. Not to mention, weddings are crazy expensive. I may not be able to save as much this year, but what I can do is create additional ways to create income so I don’t feel the expenses quite as much – so that’s the goal.
Wife Life
I will be the first to tell you that I have very little idea on how to be a wife, barely even a girlfriend. I spent 26 years of my life on my own. My own time, my own dime, my own decisions. It’s going to take some major adjustments not to just transition into this new role, but to also perform well in it. If someone had complaints before, I could just tell them to deal with it or find the exit. From what I’m hearing, marriage isn’t like that LOL! Luckily Nate is so patient with me, because the process is much more about me learning how to undo things I’ve naturally done all my life so that I can remain happy individually as well as in my soon to be marriage than it is changing for another person. Do you all have any book recommendations that may help me see myself clearer as a wife? I’d love to see things from different points of view instead of just the one I’ve created.
Personal
There are many things that helped shape me as a woman that I love to do, that I rarely have time for these days. That includes reading as many new books as I’d like and using my Friday nights for Sex And The City marathons. Because time is so limited, this year I’m committed to being intentional with my time, days and projects. By the time I look up, my week is over and I’m rushing to hit reset before Monday. I want to be sure that I’m not only carving out the time to do the things that matter to me, like read new books, go to the gym, write more for the blog, but that I’m also intentional with the task I’ve worked hard to make time for instead of using it as an opportunity to scroll on Instagram or wonder endless on the internet.
Friendship
I don’t have very many friends but the women I consider friends mean the world to me. I want to make it a point to make sure they know that they do and go out of my way to be there and present for them along with what matters to them. I text my friends allll day long, every single day but I don’t want to miss out on what they consider important. As bad as it sounds, serious relationships take up a lot of your time. My schedule isn’t just mine anymore (another struggle) and it’s easy for your friendships to take the back burner since you have a significant other you’ve likely made plans with without even realizing it. I value my friendships enough to make a conscious effort to keep them intact, whether it’s making brunch plans or getting on a plane to visit them one weekend every six months.
Health
Those of you who follow The B Werd know I had some weird health issues last year that I believe stemmed from pushing myself further than I could handle. Believe it or not, stress can really begin to take a toll on you in all areas of your life if you don’t take breaks when your body tells you that you need them. That was the beginning of my “health journey“. I’m dedicated to learning how to treat my body the best I know how this year. Outside of changing my eating habits and committing to staying active 4-5 times a week, I want to challenge myself to get in the best shape of my life. I’m naturally a slim girl, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t improvements that can be made to my overall health. For example, I added ACV into my daily diet. What I thought was adult hormonal acne, was really just bad gut health that was easily cured by making a change in my daily routine. Small changes like switching your grains out for quinoa or pasta out for zoodles make a big difference in now just how you look, but how you feel. If you want me to continue sharing my “go-to meals” I definitely will.
If you haven’t gotten around to creating any goals just yet, It’s not too late to do so or even redirect them. What are your 2018 goals? Share below
You are such a inspiration to me.
Awe thank you so much Ty! I’m so glad that I can inspire you, even if only in a small way <3
Some of my goals are finishing my master’s degree in Human Resource Management, moving up a position in my career at my company, creating and maintaining a healthier lifestyle including dropping some weight, and continue to build my savings account. I would love to hear some of your go-to meals, as I am trying to create healthier food options that are still fulfilling. Thanks so much for sharing this. It provides that extra motivation to get myself in gear!!
Britney, those are some great goals that have the potential to change your life! I’m so excited for you. I’ll share my super simple but tasty meals in an upcoming blog post 🙂 thank you for reading and sharing <3
One of my main goals for 2018 was to land a promotion at work and with a lot of hard work it happened in February! (Won’t He do it?! lol ) My next goal that I’m focusing on is to start my YouTube channel! I’ve been taking my time going through your Brand Beginnings Workbook and it has been so helpful! Side note- I completely relate to your mention of thinking you had adult hormonal acne. I cut dairy from my diet and my face cleared up in one week…literally lol
Look at God! Knocking out such a huge goal the second month of the year. It took me FOREVER to launch my YouTube because it was such a learning curve for me. Once you do it once, it’ll continue to get easier and easier. I wish dairy would’ve been the answer. Well not really, I looooove cheese LOL. Thank you for reading and sharing! xx
I wrote down a laundry list of goals when you posted about accomplishing goals for the first quarter. When I look at the list it seems overwhelming and never ending. I like how you have categorized your goals, seems so much simpler and achievable although they are some pretty significant goals. Happy goal digging!
Same to you boo. Take it in a little at a time and you’ll be surprised at how much you get accomplished! <3
A must read I recommend (so I have heard) because I’m not engaged or married lol is Things I Wish We Would Have Known Before We Got Married – https://www.amazon.com/Things-Wish-Known-Before-Married/dp/0802481833
One of my goals this year is be dedicated and make the time to grow my blog and publish great content, started in 2016 and was never consistent. You’re such a great inspiration! Can’t wait for new workbooks
I’ll actually look into that book, it’s not the first time I’ve heard that title so thank you! Consistency is more important than almost anything else when it comes to growing your brand and blog. If you do start back up, keep at it! It’ll be worth it <3
Hey Court! This is so helpful! I love to see how successful women map out their life and get ish done! Is this how you write out your goals or do you have certain bullet points and time lines? Would love to know! Thank you for this post.
@itstabithagrace
Thank you so much for reading Tabitha! Outside of these overall goals, I also write out specific quartler or “90 day goals” because those are things I can work at daily to see progression in the near future. I may even make a weekly goal depending on what’s pressing that week, like waking up to workout three of the five mornings if I know that I have things to do in the evening. Goals can also require a lot of reorganization. Don’t be afraid to revisit them often, turn some up and turn some down depending on what you need!
The fact that you can articulate & have recognized the magical balancing act it takes for all of these things is enough for an applause. Creeping into year 2 as a wife, year 6 at my current company and year 2 of mommy life, I can say that my goal is to stop beating myself up when I slip on one area – Work can be going great, kid still alive, husband happy, and I missed a friends’ brunch. I will obsess about being a bad friend forever…you have to dust yourself off after a miss & make it up..but no self bashing!
Lacey, life is happening so fast! I know that everyday, I can’t be good at everything, but I can be good at SOMETHING. It’s always going to be a balancing act. As long as we put our best foot forward “most” days we’ll make it out OK 😉
Courtney I found this post so helpful and motivating! I now want to take the time before the end of this week to make sure I set some goals on paper since I didn’t do it back in January. I know for sure I want to save more money, drop 15 pounds, and grow my Instagram following since I’m launching my blog in 2 weeks. You’re going to make a great wife and I can’t wait to see what’s next for The B Werd. Keep doing what you’re doing. You inspire us all!
Those are all certainly attainable goals! Make a plan and knock em out 😉 thank you so much for the kind words and also for reading <3
This post was definitely on-time for me! I have been feeling really down lately because I cannot seem to defog my mind. My main goal is to think long and hard about the next step(s) in my career. I have no idea what I am doing with my life. My current position is NOT where I want to be any longer because I am not doing what I love. It’s literally just a paycheck and I do not want to get complacent. My next goal is to save, save, save! I am actually doing pretty well in that area but I want to do better. And the last goal is to do activities that are meaningful; like increasing my knowledge on certain topics and current events, reading more, doing things that will be beneficial to my career (once i figure out what the heck that is lol)
Thank you for being so open with us and sharing your goals for 2018 and beyond. Also, you’re going to ROCK the wife life.
You are obviously such an inspiration to so many women and it is so beautiful! It was such a blessing finding your blog and instagram! I started blogging about what I love…Jesus and marriage and got off track once I had two babies. But girl you got me super motivated to reach people with my words. Thank you!!! As far as your soon to be marriage, I always recommend the audio series and book “Marriage on the Rock” by Jimmy Evans and “Love and Respect” by Emmerson Eggerichs. If you determine to never give up, ya’ll will do great at marriage, God bless you and your Union!