It's that time of year again where we look back and make plans for the new year.
I'm going to be honest, I have been so busy that I haven't looked at my 2018 goals since early in the year. Which is ironic when you see the first goal I made for 2018.
Looking back at my 2018 Goals
1) Take care of me. I'm changing it up a bit this year. I've been struggling since July to find a good balance in my life; family, child care business and pattern business. I've enjoyed it all, but found myself constantly feeling behind, and that is an awful feeling. While I am planning on publishing more patterns, I'm going to step back from the pressure of publishing them and try to go with the flow a bit more.
Maybe it's not possible to find a real balance when you are running two solepreneur businesses. PBJ is starting to pick up but that means more hours are required. I spend many nights and every weekend in my dungeon (sewing room) missing out on my still growing kids, but the to do list never gets smaller.
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| Harlequin Court |
2) Grow relationships. I'm finding my blogging/social media world a bit quiet, so I'm hoping to get more involved and "in touch" with those who understand the nuances of the quilting world. I think that will help with goal 1 as well, because support goes a long way in helping keep the burnout away.
I think I'm doing a little better in this area, but lets be honest, it takes a lot of time and I don't do a very good job at putting in the effort to build those relationships. I keep thinking "I'll get to them in a bit" and then it's been a month. I need to make it a priority in order for it to change.
3) Distributors. I need to contact distributors again and get some feedback.
I'm excited that Brewer Sewing picked up some Patterns By Jen patterns!
4) Teaching. I'm getting a page ready with information on workshops/trunk shows/lectures. I'm excited to get that "published" and get the information to you.
You can find my teaching/trunk show page HERE. I am keeping it to once a month so if you are interested please reach out soon.
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| Fall Retreat |
2019 Goals
1) Make my family my priority. My plan right now is to commit to taking two nights a week where I don't go back down to the dungeon and work. I'm also going to work on being gentle with myself and quit with the "Mom guilt."
2) Build quilty relationships. This is still important for me and I've had some great support this year. I want to make sure I'm giving back in whatever way I can.
3) Reach out to distributors. I'm finding this is an ongoing need.
4) Release 8 new patterns. I have a few already in the works, but I didn't have a number goal to work towards last year, and I think it worked better for me in 2017 to have that number to work towards.
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| Mod Squared Photo by Handmade Boy |
5) Add sizes to magazine patterns. I have plans to add to the sizes available in the patterns that were in magazines in 2017. These will not count towards the goal above.
6) Newsletter consistency. January I will be sending out Bites of PBJ again. I struggle with finding things to write about, but also have those naughty little thoughts that say "you have no idea what you are talking about." One of the things that changed in 2018 was the amount I blogged, and I found it goes a little bit smoother each time, so I'm going to use that thought to work on the newsletter.
PS Feel free to let me know what you like to read in a newsletter in the comments.
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| Friendly Flight Photo by Handmade Boy |
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If you are interested in the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge you can sign up to have the block instructions sent directly to you HERE.
Happy Stitching!
Jen
Linking up with Quilting Jetgirl for the #2019planningparty
I'm joining the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge at Muppin.com
New to Patterns By Jen?
Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.
Join the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge coming soon!
Keeping everything running smoothly in a home while running a business is no small task. I hope that you are able to give yourself some breaks this year and that you find you are more creatively recharged as a result, too. Thank you so much for sharing and linking up with the Planning Party!
ReplyDeleteI love #2, I have changed it slightly and plan to work on building quality relationships in my own life. With so much on-line we have forgotten how important face to face and even deeper on-line relationships are. My goal is to take one friend or person I wish to be my friend each month and spend some quality one on one time or if the person lives far away, maybe write an old school snail mail letter telling them how important they are to me. I want to see if I can deepen these relationships and eventually feel that I can pick up the phone and call them and that they won't be bothered (I am sure they won't, but..... I only have one quilt friend out where I live. I tried a guild and while they seemed nice, they were so much older than me and the meeting night conflicts with my kids activities. Still trying to figure out a way to meet more quilt friends.
ReplyDeleteGreat goals. We all need to work on #1 and #2. Good luck finding the balance with family and work.
ReplyDeleteI so understand your frustration on some of these things - especially keeping up the contact. I do try to respond to Island Batik posts and other posts, but sometimes it has to go. I am joining in your colors of the month - a good way to use up some of my scraps! I enjoyed watching the bloggers who did it this year. Good luck with your goals! Happy New Year!
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