Creative Commons License photo credit: Joe Dielis
I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions. I could never understand why the change in the date was a catalyst to make changes in my life. I always followed the plan that I would institute changes as soon as I was aware that they needed or wanted to be made.
But as another year ends and I enter my 28th year of life, I am understanding more the value of reflection and goal setting, both personally and professionally.
Reflection helps me to appreciate the journey and how it has lead me to where I am today, while goal setting helps me to outline my desires for the future and strategize how to achieve them.
I’ve realized that the advent of a new year is a great time to begin creating holistic solutions to the issues uncovered during the previous year.
Where I Want to Be in 2009
- Meditating Regularly
2008 was filled with multiple attempts to begin meditating regularly. Unfortunately, I found it nearly impossible to establish a routine that I could stick with. My goal for 2008 was to meditate daily but for 2009, I will be happy simply to have it be a growing activity in my life.Any tips you may have on how you motivated yourself to meditate are very much appreciated.
- Generating a Sustainable Income from My Business, Elastic Mind
My business earnings in 2008 (from May onwards, when I started Elastic Mind) were minimal as I was focusing the bulk of my time on planting my business seeds. In 2009 I aim to generate enough income to 1. sustain the costs of running the business and 2. contribute to our living expenses.Any tips you may have on how you cultivate clients are very much appreciated.
- Completing my Business Website
I am very proud of the site I am creating but now that the hard part is over (it has been designed and written), I am working on developing the site. This means coding, populating, editing and search engine optimizing the over 100+ pages I have conceptualized and written. It is a slow process and I daily feel the grind of the “creative hump”. Some days I worry that the site will “never” be finished.Any tips you may have on how you stay focused and motivated on your creative projects are very much appreciated.
- Enjoying More Hobbies
I have plans to continue my tap dancing classes, to start take a drawing class and to read the 10 books sitting by my bed. Daniel and I are traveling to Nicaragua in February. I also plan to attend regular yoga/pilates classes and continue to walk as much as I have in 2008.Any tips you may have on how you make time for your hobbies are very much appreciated.
- Developing More Daily Structure
It is an adjustment to move from a “9-to-5” life to that of an independent. I am still working on developing a structure to my day that ensures I yield maximum productivity while maintaining balance, calm and focus. I want to do away with the days where I never see daylight as I am too focused to take a break.Any tips you may have on how you create structure in your day are very much appreciated.
- Taming My Inner Critic and Growing My Inner Kudos
Although I have achieved all the goals I set for myself 2008, it is not enough. I am never satisfied with my achievements. In fact, I am almost embarrassed and ashamed by them. I am hesitant to share with them with even those that are closest to me. I don’t know why and in 2009 I am going to work on ending the secrecy and cultivating a more self-promoting attitude.Any tips you may have on how you became less secretive about your work are very much appreciated.
- Improving and Growing Rise of the Innerpreneur
I have many ideas for how I can continue to improve and better serve innerpreneurs through my blog, Rise of the Innerpreneur. In the coming weeks I will be asking you how this blog can be of more value to you. I want it to be the best it can be and to be constantly evolving with our changing needs.If you have any tips on how I can improve the blog I would love to hear them.
Otherwise, in the coming weeks I will be asking your opinion on ideas I have had. I would appreciate it greatly if you provided feedback on them. I truly want this blog to be the most valuable tool it can be.
Now that I know where I want to be in 2009, I can begin the process of determining how I will get there.
