Update on my GOALS for 2019

Looking for an update on my goals for 2019? Take a peek at the goals I set for this year and the progress I’ve made so far.

I love the process of planning and setting goals at the beginning of a new year. There is nothing like the feeling of a fresh start. The difficulty in setting a year long goal is the inevitable – you fall off the wagon and settle back into your old ways. With that in mind, I set a mixture of goals, some easily attainable and others I would have to work for. Here is an update on my goals for this year and the progress I’ve made so far.

Personal

Worry Less – Someday I’ll get the hang of this, but for now I am taking my worries one day at a time. I am notorious for becoming too emotional in the moment instead of allowing time to process a situation.

Power Down and Read More – At the start of the year I read a lot, but life became busy and I quit reading before bed. Mindless television is an easier way to power down at the end of a mentally exhausting day. However, after developing a bit of insomnia I’m picking books up instead of my phone again.

Make Time for my Family – YES! I can honestly say I try weekly to make more time for my family. When I feel myself slipping back into a workaholic rhythm, I’m reminded to make time for my family.

Looking for the original post “How I Plan to Improve My Blog and Myself in 2019?” Click here for my goals!

Blogging

WRITE WITH INTENTION

One of my struggles in 2018 was an inability to write every blog post with intention. The purpose of my blog is to inspire, connect, and entertain an audience, so I frequently collect data and poll my audience before planning content in advance.

A few months ago I chatted with an SEO expert about the content on Caitlin Houston Blog. She was able to pull my most popular posts and help create an outline of the genres my audiences likes to read best. Using this information, I was able to create the following pillars of my brand: motherhood, style, home living, home decor, and travel.

STOP WAITING FOR INSTANT GRATIFICATION

My husband constantly reminds me to reflect on my accomplishments instead of dwelling on rejection – but it’s not always easy. The highs and lows of being a blogger are comparative to the ups and downs of a roller coaster. I can spend hours writing to brands with pitches I believe to be amazing only to never hear back.

Check out these reasons why goal setting will improve your focus.

SLOW DOWN AND SHUT UP

Every day I work hard to quiet the negativity inside my head (read more ways to overcome self-doubt). This is one of the goals that can’t be met in a day, but is long term (and on-going). Here is a quote from my 2019 Goals post that I’m happy to read again:

“Whenever something doesn’t happen fast enough for me, I immediately think it’s a sign of failure. These thoughts manifest negativity and poison my potential for success. Phrases like “I hope” (you lack faith) and “I wish” (you’re not in control) are both disempowering and non-committing.”

SCHEDULE WORK TIME WITH LIMITED DISTRACTIONS

A big personal goal for 2019 was a secret from the world: make enough money to be able to hire a babysitter for the summer. I’m so happy I met my secret goal and was able to bring a wonderful college student into the house a few times a week. During the hours our daughters had childcare, I was able to work hard with limited distractions.

This fall Annabelle is in full time Kindergarten and Ailey goes to half day preschool four days a week. During the hours they’re in school I work as diligently so I have more time to spend with my family in the evening. Don’t get me wrong, there are some days I still spend hours working late into the night to meet a deadline.

Looking for the original post “How I Plan to Improve My Blog and Myself in 2019?” Click here!