Welcome to Spring! I’m checking in on my 2017 goals to evaluate where I’m at – and carve out killer spring goals that will keep me on track for a great year. Work, work!
Hello there and welcome to spring!
There’s nothing like the start of a new season to whack you in the face. Like, “Oh hey, what have you been doing with your life for the last three months? Watching too much Netflix and over indulging on carbs? No bueno.”
Checking In on My 2017 Goals
Now that it’s officially spring, the flowers are blooming and birds are happily chirping right outside my window…I thought I’d take time to face the facts and evaluate just where I am on my yearly goals. Like most of my fellow dreamers, I entered 2017 with a list of objectives. In fact, I shared those with you in my 2017 Goals and Ambitions post. (SUPER creative title, right? Ha!)
In place of lofty resolutions like losing 50 pounds, I came into 2017 armed with four personal goals:
- Push Myself Outside My Comfort Zone
- Worker Smarter, Not Harder
- Celebrate Progress
- Take Time for Me
Where Did I Fail?
If I’m being honest with myself, on goals 1, 2 and 3 I’d give myself a C – and on 4 an A. But, I feel like I’ve spent entirely TOO much time on myself.
Is spending more time for me a failure? Not completely – but I’m disappointed on how the chips played out. Juggling a full-time job, a life, wellness and Dream in Lace takes effort. To make it all work, I feel like I failed to give Dream in Lace the attention it deserved in the first quarter of the year. That’s not to say I’m totally beating myself up and calling the first quarter a flop, but I’m setting some spring goals that will help me get back on track.
Ready to take on a new year, I embarked on a 48-Hour Digital Detox at the start of January and this weekend I’m going to hit the reset button and head down that route again. This week I’ve spent time reflecting on the work that I’ve done and where I want to go from here and I think a reboot will go a long way to re-ignite my spark.
Where Did I Succeed?
Okay so, things with Dream in Lace aren’t exactly where I hoped they would be at this stage of the year – but that doesn’t mean I haven’t taken strides on “working smarter, not harder” and tracking my progress. It’s been a super productive few months at work and around here, I’ve made some progress as well.
Social Media Tools
To work more efficiently, I’ve sought out various tools and resources that would maximize my time. Whilst I did look into services that could help, such as how I could Get more followers with Nitreo I chose some different options for my needs. I’ve made better use of my subscription to Buffer and started a new Tailwind subscription. Together, these effectively manage my social media channels – even when I don’t have the time to be on social media myself.
Tailwind I’m definitely new to at this stage, but I already get the sense it’s a game-changing Pinterest tool and I look forward to sharing more on that in the future. One of my spring goals is to get familiar with the program and really maximize its benefits. Stay tuned – and if you have other recs for better budgeting time, let me know!
My Goal Journal
To better keep track of my progress, I’ve created several monthly statistical reports in Excel for both work and Dream in Lace. In those spreadsheets, I track and measure key stats so I can visually see the progress I’m making. Even if it’s small, progress is progress. I’ve also started keeping a goal journal.
No, this journal is not about crushes and parties like my high school diaries. Instead, my goal journal is a place where I write about what I’m doing, how it’s going, what’s working v. what’s not and how I can make it better. It’s not something I write in every day but I try to make an entry at least once a week.
Like they say, life is a marathon not a sprint – and so are our goals. I think a goal journal is a great way to remind yourself it’s a process and weigh in along the way. I also think this will be very useful (and inspiring) to look back on at the end of the year.
Where to go Next? Meet My Spring Goals
When I set out to write this post, I knew a very big thing I wanted to do was outline some spring goals that will help me better focus my time and bring some fresh new ideas to light. This week, I sat down with a huge Diet Coke in a McDonald’s (of all places) and two pieces of paper. On the first piece of paper, I wrote down things that I like about myself and life in general that I want to bring to the Dream in Lace brand. On the second piece of paper, I jotted down ideas and concepts that could help me bring those things to life.
I know, I know – sounds like a really basic practice, right? But, you’d be surprised how long it’s been since I’ve had a great brainstorming session with myself. I walked away with so many ideas that I’m excited to completely run with! (I also walked away thinking hey, McDonald’s is a surprisingly great thinking spot for a vegan. Ha!)
New Posting Schedule
Woah there, I practiced what I preach!
As someone who works in digital marketing, I’m a firm believer that the data is always a great place to start to build a game plan. My posting schedule on Dream in Lace has been influx about six months now and I just haven’t been able to work out the right way to go. This week, I dug into my Google Analytics and worked out the best times and days to post. Then, I weighed that with my schedule to come up with a posting routine I think is not just doable – but going to work! I’ve done the same for my social pages too. I will use an Instagram feed scheduling tool so that my posts can be published automatically. One of my key spring goals is to really adhere to this new schedule.
So, get ready because *new* posts on Dream in Lace will now appear every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 4 pm.
New Content Ideas
During my McDonald’s brainstorming session, I developed all kinds of new content ideas but there’s one in particular I’m SUPER excited to share. In April, I’m going to launch a new “Dreamer of the Month” series. Conceptually, Dream in Lace has always been a space that celebrates women who are passionately following their dreams. What better way to do this than to introduce each other to inspiring women who are working hard to turn their dream into reality.
Each month, Dreamer of the Month will feature women who are really giving it their all and going after their dreams. I’m very excited to get to work on this series and showcase women of all sorts of backgrounds that are kicking serious butt! This will be a great to way to learn from and motivate each other, while celebrating our successes. Win, win!
Exclusive Content for Email!
If you haven’t yet signed up for my mailing list, you’re going to want to. (You can do so, here!)
That’s right, because this spring I’m launching NEW exclusive content just for my email friends. Beyond my spring goals, this is actually something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and I’m finally ready to put this idea in action. No time like the present, right?
To kick it up a notch, I’m adding a new weekly email featuring exclusives you WON’T see here.
Email is above and beyond my favorite way to keep in touch with my favorite content creators and I’m so excited to add a whole new level Dream in Lace. It will be a great way for us to get to know each other better and become adult pen pals! *wink* Be sure to sign up now so you won’t miss this new content, starting next week!
Now, It’s Your Turn
Okay, now that I’ve filled you in on my 2017 and spring goals – I want you to start thinking about your own. Whether in the comments or with yourself, reflect on the objectives you had coming into this year. Are you on track? Or, like me, have you gotten a bit off track and need to develop a game plan to start moving in the right direction?
No matter where you lie on the spectrum, we all have to remember that while we are already in spring – we are only ONE QUARTER of the way through 2017. As we discussed, this is a marathon not a sprint. We’re all going to have high and low points. What matters is that we keep our eye on the prize and moving forward.
Thank you SO much for reading and I can’t wait to talk to you again on Sunday. (Then Tuesday…then Thursday. Then Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. See, I’m serious about following this new posting schedule!)
Stay stylish and keep chasing your dreams!
XOXO
Kelly
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