Being super goal oriented has always been ingrained into my brain. List after list for daily, weekly, monthly, and yes, even yearly goals, are something that I just can't live without. They motivate me and show me just how far I've come in a short time, and they also show me where I'm headed and what it's going to take to get myself where I want to be.
Today, instead of just sharing my monthly goals with you, I'm going to also share how I use goals, the kind of goals that I set for myself, and how they lead to my ultimate success. As most of you know, I quit my full-time job in February 2017, to pursue blogging full-time. You bet there were tons of goals set in place in order for me to even think about being able to take that huge leap of faith. Setting realistic goals and time frames for those goals are what ultimately led to my success in being a full-time blogger.
How Goal Setting Leads to Growth & Success
One // Goals are meant to challenge you
If a goal doesn't challenge you to jump out of your comfort zone, you're never going to see real growth. Don't stay too far in your comfort zone that you cheat yourself out of where you could be. Allow yourself to try new ways of doing things, take your goals to the next level, and persist until your goal is achieved.
Two // Setting realistic goals bring growth
Though your goals are meant to challenge you, you also want to be setting realistic goals. Don't over do it on your goals to the point where you frustrate yourself, because you aren't hitting your goals. Break your larger goals down into weekly, monthly, and maybe an ultimate year-end goal, so that your goals are more realistic and attainable. When your goals are broken down in smaller segments, you are less likely to get discouraged and actually achieve them.
Three // Goal setting cultivates self accountability and time management
When you set goals for yourself, you are the one that wants to achieve them. Not your Mama, your Daddy, spouse, or your best friend...you do. This means that you are responsible for how and when you achieve them. I'll be honest, when I first started setting goals for myself, I was unmotivated to achieve them, because I didn't have enough self accountability or a strong enough sense of time management when working from home. Creating goals and deadlines for yourself is great, but the growth that comes from actually achieving them due to self accountability is the true growth that matters.
Four // Goals motivate and inspire
Whenever I write down my goals, I brainstorm where I want to be by such and such time. It allows me to get creative, I am immediately inspired, and I get excited to achieve those goals. I don't know about you, but whenever I am inspired to achieve a goal, I am so much more motivated to achieve it. The two work hand-in-hand for me, and I bet they will for you, too!
Five // Goals allow you to see how far you've come
The best part of setting and achieving goals is that it allows you to see your growth and see just how far you've come within the week, month, or year. It's crazy to think back to where you were a year ago and celebrate the growth. Even if you weren't able to accomplish something, don't be discouraged. Make an action plan for that specific goal you are struggling with and kick that goal's booty.
October Goals Revisited
Personal Goals
One // Secure a steady part-time job on the side of blogging
Whomp Whomp. This was a no go. I did apply for several positions, but a lot of the places that I applied to are taking forever to even review the submitted application.
Two // Purge my vanity
I did this! I ended up pulling a lot of new and unused products that I will be selling soon on Poshmark for some extra $$!
Blogging Goals
One // Score eight sponsored posts for the month
I only had 4 sponsored posts go live during October, but I did lock in 9 sponsored posts. The other 5 will just be going live in November. So I kinda hit this goal. It would have been ideal for them to all have gone live in October, but that's okay!
Two // Do a readers survey and/or Q&A post
Check! I did this one, too! You can check out my very first Q&A here: Grace Winery Birthday Celebrations + Q&A
November Goals
Personal
One // Start working out again
Though I am not large by any means, I have noticed things about my body within the last few months that I am not happy about. With just a little daily exercise, I know that I will physically feel and look better, and it will ease my mind about some of my body problems. Honestly, I just want to fit in my favorite pair of jeans again--how does a few extra pounds make such a huge difference?!
Two // Continue to hunt for a PT job
I really want a house and I need to have a PT job with income that "counts" to help with the mortgage. When you're self-employed, your income is basically non-existent for at least two years when you're applying for mortgages. So, that's where a super PT job comes in. Something better come through! haha!
Blogging
One // Start to update Pinterest and create new pins for older blog posts
I have some pins from the beginning of the year that I just want to give a refresh to and I also have some posts that I think could benefit from having additional pins. Pinterest is my main jam and I want to make sure I'm giving it tons of good content to lead back to my blog! Better pins equals more views.
Two // Be braver and send out more pitches directly to brands
What's the worst thing a brand tells me, no? I am at the point where I have established my own brand and I am confident in my blog and writing that I can score these types of posts. I need to stop waiting for brands to reach out to me, get out of my comfort zone, do a little research, and make the first bold move.
I hope that if nothing else, this post has helped motivate and inspire you to follow your own dreams and set achievable goals for yourself. I find that writing them out really helps me turn them into a reality. Goals are meant to be made, because you are determined enough to achieve them.
What goals are you setting for yourself today, this week, month, this year? Let me know in the comments. Let's encourage each other and keep each other accountable.
"So in all that you do, stay classy, stay positive and love the life you live. The world is at your fingertips, darling."
KMJ
Stay Classy.
xx,
Kristen
November is going to be such a busy month and we start to end the year!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this just yesterday and I already set my November goals for the blog, there is some sense of accomplishment that comes in going down the list checking them.off as done one by one.
ReplyDeleteLove these tips so much and super important to be optimistic for those of us who are jsut starting out with blogging!
ReplyDeleteThese are great goals! And I love the first part of this post about the importance of goal setting and how it can help you grow. I share a few of your November goals too!
ReplyDeleteWooow, you are doing so well. And nine sponsored posts this month, awesome. I know I really need to set goals, I guess my fear just gets in the way too much. This month will be the month. I hope. Love your goals, very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteFear. Thats a booger! But you push me to work past it and see what I can do. Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDelete:) gwingal
Great goals! I have always been a very goal oriented person and I love seeing how people use goal setting to help themselves. Thanks for sharing and good luck with your November goals.
ReplyDeleteThese are great goals you've set! I'm a goal setter as well. Can't know where you are going if you don't create a plan!
ReplyDeleteYES to the part time job thing. I'm in the exact same boat as I'm a blogger and have my own social media management business but haven't been self-employed for 2 years so I'm also on the hunt for something part time haha. I'm looking for a part time office job but that's proven difficult to find.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals this month!
Love these! I always try to make goals each month! Putting them out there and on my blog helps me stay accountable!
ReplyDeleteI just published my November goals too! I love seeing what others set goals for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI think this month the focus will be self-care. September was stressful and I saw the aftermath in October so I really need to make that a priority. So far so good (one day into it hahahah)
www.elleisforlove.com
Great post! I’m awful at writing my goals and sticking to them— especially when you are always on the go and just trying to stay afloat. Great reminder to be purposeful in goal setting because that’s how you grow! Thinking of the goals I want to achieve for the short and long term! Thanks Kristen! <3
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I"m a huge goal setting, and I have to stick to those goals. It is very important to me to meet and reach them!!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. Ever since I've started putting my monthly goals on my blog, it's kept me accountable and definitely more motivated to get them done!
ReplyDeleteI'm ALL FOR pitching brands yourself...it was the #1 game changer in my own blog/business!!!
ReplyDeletePitching to brands can be scary, but it's totally changed the game for me! You can do it!
ReplyDeletexo, Chelsie @ Hey There, Chelsie
Congrats on achieving you sponsored posts already! It's really cool. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI love setting goals too. Great insights on goal setting. They do grow you, move you forward and show you how far you've come. Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteI totally need to get better about establishing set goals. I think I need to write them down or something to really commit!
ReplyDeleteI love a goals post! Thank you for sharing so elegantly :)
ReplyDeleteLove reading your process! I know that pitching brands can be so intimidating but like you said the worse they can say is no! The best is that you end up getting to work with great brands! Way to step out and be brave
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals this month! I'm going to attempt to be better about reaching out to brands-I've got a short list of brands that I would like to work with and like you said, the worst thing they can say is no!
ReplyDeletexoxo, SS
Southern and Style