New year, fresh start! I want 2016 to be my best year yet- personally, physically, and really just all around. Last year I set a few small blogging goals for the new year, and I’m happy to say I’ve accomplished them all. It really helps me to write down my goals for everyone to see since it’s one of the best ways to hold myself accountable. This year, I’ll be doing the same by sharing my top 16 personal and blog and business goals for 2016. This isn’t everything I want to accomplish and work on, but if I can improve in every aspect I’m about to mention, I’ll be off to a great start.
PERSONAL GOALS:
1. Workout 3-5 times a week
This is something I say every year, but this year I want it to actually stick. I’m the type of person that can get into a workout routine, but all it takes is one day of skipping and then somehow it’s been months since I’ve been in the gym. That’s not okay. I want this to be a regular part of my lifestyle and I really think when you want something bad enough, you make it happen. No more excuses for me!
2. Clean up my diet
I want to make changes in my diet while being as realistic as possible. As much as I wish I could, I’m just not the type of person that could eat a salad or plain grilled chicken breast with a side of veggies everyday. Because of my picky eating habits, I want to work on cleaning up the foods I do eat. This means substituting spaghetti noodles for spaghetti squash, or rice and mashed potatoes for cauliflower. I want to keep eating the same meals I enjoy, just a much healthier version of them.
3. Continue to save for our wedding
Our wedding is in November and thankfully we’ve been able to save a lot more than I thought. Ideally I’d like to continue on this same path and reach our goal months earlier than originally planned.
4. Plan for the future
Last year, we had a “go with the flow” attitude and when asked about our future plans, we really had no answers. This year, I want to focus on our future and start to have a more solid plan of what that future will look like.
5. Own a Home
I know I’ve mentioned it several times before, but Chris and I really want to own our first home soon. Before we do that, we need to figure out where that will be. This kind of ties into #4 as well. We also need to figure out when we want this to happen. This year before the wedding? The end of this year right after? Sometime next year? I really don’t know what is best. Part of me would love to make this happen right around the wedding, then part of me has all the anxiety even thinking about dealing with purchasing a home right before a wedding. Then there’s still the issue of where. Ahh!
6. Get back my pre grad school body
If I stick with goals #1 and #2, this will be very possible. I haven’t been happy with my weight for a few years now. The stress and horrible schedule of grad school contributed to added pounds I want gone. If I can at least get to my pre grad school weight within 6 months, I’ll be extremely satisfied and even more motivated to keep going for more.
7. Try new places
When it comes down to weekend entertainment, Chris and I are creatures of habit. He’s always down to do whatever I suggest and I’m the one that often suggests the same things, especially when it comes down to restaurants. If I find something I like, I’ll be back. Many times. I want to change that and try more new things. There’s still so many places I’ve been wanting to see and try in Dallas, and I really don’t know how it hasn’t happened yet. This year, I’ll make it happen.
8. Cook more
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday meals are all from dining out. My goal is to start spending more Sundays at home with home cooked meals. Finding new recipes to try will make it less tempting to eat out.
BlOG AND BUISNESS GOALS:
1. Track blog income and expenses more efficiently
Over the past two years, this blog has turned into a business. Having an accountant as your fiancé certainly helps when it comes down to taxes, but I need to get better at making the job easier on him. I’ve always kept record of everything, but I could’ve done it in a more efficient way. Chris put together some awesome pre formulated spreadsheets, so I promise to use them and keep it up to date everyday this year.
2. Continue to increase my blog income
Last year, my blog income increased every month, with my monthly income of Q4 in 2015 being triple the amount of Q1. I would love for this to continue, and at the very least, start 2016 Q1 on the same page as 2015 Q4.
3. Share blogging tips + my personal journey
One thing you might not know about me is I love researching all things blogging, from monetization to SEO and HTML. Those are really my favorite topics to read and learn about. You’d think as much as I enjoy it, I’d share it, but I haven’t gotten around to that yet. Regardless of where we are on our blogging journey, we all can bring something to the table and learn from each other. This year I want to share more about my personal blogging experience and what’s worked for me. There’s always going to be someone bigger than me and there’s always going to be someone smaller than me, but I’m proud of the work I’ve put into this blog and the return I’ve gotten. I would love to share it for anyone hoping to do the same.
4. Focus on SEO
This is for both the blog and Bijoux Avenue. I’m headed on a much better track with SEO optimization for the blog now that I’m on WordPress, but Bijoux Avenue could use a boost. Etsy and Shopify SEO work differently than blog SEO, so I want to spend more time researching the best practices to continue to grow my brand.
5. Regularly promote Bijoux Avenue
Instagram is such a powerful tool for small business promotion. To be honest, as of today, I haven’t been active on Bijoux Avenue’s Instagram and other social media channels in 3 weeks. Gasp. That is horrible and I’ll admit it. The busyness of the holidays certainly didn’t help, but no excuse is acceptable. I would like to build my social media posting schedule up to daily activity, even multiple times a day, but I’m going to start small and reach one mini milestone first.
6. Add new products weekly
I’m always making new jewelry, but I usually wait to add many new items in bulk rather than one or two things here and there. I think it will be much less time consuming to just add them as I make them instead, plus it will keep the shop updated.
7. Double my sales
Right now, my sales are mostly coming from traffic landing on my site, rather than my promotion. I would really like to double my sales this year and I think it will be easily doable by promoting more.
8. Get Bijoux Avenue into local boutiques
I’ve never been against this idea, I just haven’t fully decided on my terms for doing so nor have I drafted a contract. I’ve had several different inquiries lately, so this year I want to get the ball rolling and give it a shot.
Olya @ The Siberian American says
That is so exciting that you are getting inquiries from local boutiques! You have so many exciting things coming up in 2016! Are y’all thinking of moving away from Dallas?
Alexa says
You might want to try Tone It Up for your clean eating and exercise goals! Also I have tried many new places locally through the group! My husband and I are all also saving for a home, hard to do in the Bay Area but working on it. Good Luck!
Donna Ward says
Of course, I love to learn more about what others’ goals and plans for blogging business successes – So I’ll look forward to reading more from you. And, Congratulations on you quarterly income growing fabulously for you!
Christine says
These are awesome goals! You are going to rock 2016!
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
Wow besides a few things your goals are exactly what mine our, but written out nicely! Mind if I borrow this list 😉
Esther @ The Cuteness says
So awesome! These are some great goals. Hope you accomplish everything this year ❤️
Biana @ Blovedboston says
Love all your personal and professional goals – tracking blog income was something I worked on last year too, but i need to get better! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Jasmine says
Keeping track of my blog income/expenses is definitely on my list this month. Especially for tax purposes.
Rachel says
Good luck with your goals this year! I have a lot of similar ones 🙂 Growing + tracking blog income is a big one for me!
Kerry says
Those are great goals. I am working on exercising more consistently too. Hope you have a successful 2016.
Lisa says
Those are great goals. On the tax one, I discovered taxbot.com last year and I love it. It makes everything so simple, my accountant is gonna love me this year! 😄
Lauren says
Sounds like some awesome goals! I look forward to following along with you in 2016! 🙂
Angie @ My So-Called Chaos says
These are fabulous goals and you can totally pull them off! Good luck!
Noor Unnahar says
WOAH! These are some fine goals, Dara. I hope you’ll accomplish them all <3
Kat says
Great list of goals. Totally sounds doable too! Good luck!
Secret Style File says
love your images! I think you have set some great goals, good luck! You are a great inspiration x
Jordyn says
I think you have really great goals for both yourself and your blog. I just found your blog from the Grow Your Blog facebook group and I already really love your writing style. I can’t wait to read more. Good luck achieving your goals!
Nancy says
You can do it! I’m with you on so many of those goals, specifically the ‘get healthier’ goals. I think we all struggle with that kind of thing but you sound so motivated that you’re motivating ME to do better!
I’d also love to have specific long-term future goals but the life I live isn’t exactly mine to do with what I want. Oh well, maybe in a few years. Good luck!
Chelsea says
Sounds like a lot of good stuff is coming up for you this year! I want to keep my business more organized as well, and definitely want to branch out to different restaurants and shops in my area too. My boyfriend and I are terrible for always going to the exact same places, haha.
Amanda Butler says
You’ve got some great goals here! Good luck and best wishes 🙂
Willow says
I need to get better at making goals. Another good way to eat healthier without depriving yourself is eating a wrap in a collard green or other leafy green. If I have a good sauce or spread to go in the wrap, I don’t even miss the tortilla!
Tiffany says
Those are great goals! And it’s so important to write them down! Good luck!
Krista Williams says
These are really nice! I love the honesty here. I think the balance of your personal and professional life is amazing, and I am excited to see what’s to come! Your blog is STUNNING to say the least so I’m sure there is more blog goodness on the way!
xo
Krista
http://www.hundredblog.com
Dia @ All The Things I Do says
This is such a awesome list. I’m trying to get back to my senior year of college body lol
I also love that you are focusing more on SEO, it’s a big part of the rebranding I’m working on for my site. It’s a really simple thing that makes a huge difference.
Good luck on your goals.
Vet Leow says
That is a lot of goals! I wish you great success in achieving all your personal, blog and business goals in 2016! Have a great year!
Katya says
I would love to hear your blogging story! I agree that personal posts make all the difference!
As it comes to the goals, I am with you on cleaning the diet. I’ve been traveling too much recently and it’s so difficult to stick to a healthy routine when you are on the go!
http://stylesprinter.com/
Jenn says
Holy cow, I love your jewelry! Just had to throw that out there. The Boho Beaded Tassel Necklace is my fave. Anyways, great goals! I always love when bloggers share their tips and stories. I’m also hoping to up my monetization this year, and to get more into shape! It’s always a struggle. I’ve been sticking with a smoothie diet and at least getting a bit of a workout in every day. Lots of luck!
Rosemary says
Great goals for 2016. Love the focus on the business end as well as SEO. Looking forward to reading about your personal journey and success in the coming months. Lots of luck.
Rosalyn O. says
These are some great goals! Thanks for sharing them with us. I also want to spend more time blogging and researching more about the topic to be able to share tips on my blog. I wish you all the best :))
Kate @ Green Fashionista says
Awesome goals gurlie! And I hear you on working out, I fell off the wagon a few years ago and it was so hard to get back on. But once it became a routine again it was so much easier. And congrats on tripling your blog income, that’s incredible!
Green Fashionista
Lana @ The Joy Blog says
Super great goals. I’m trying really hard to do the workout thing regularly. Why is it so easy to Netflix binge every night after work? I sincerely wish I had a personal trainer that was just waiting for me after work every single day.
Alicia says
These are some brilliant goals girl. I’m trying to keep track of my blog much better this year too, it takes a bit of effort to form the habit but it makes life so much easier in the long run. It’s definitely handy that your partner is an accountant, taxes are the worst thing about working for yourself!