march biz goals

My, my, my ... it's March. After a little goal setting breather, I'm ready to get back on track, reconnect myself to this wonderful goal sharing community and if nothing else sum up where I've been and where I'm going with Creative Stash.

This year begun quietly in my studio and here on my blog I felt mute. But my mind was not dormant, I was busy observing, gathering and cultivating where I head next. I wasn't busy externally as it was a time for an internal shift and although I don't have all the answers, I'm ready to start moving forward.

March Goals

• credible nutrition postcard design
• east valley artisans postcard and banner design
• move creative stash website to my blog
• begin new wedding invitation design
  
• custom painting
• custom coasters
• get involved with this month's creative every day theme
  
• family art play time
• try meal planning
• gym: monday, wednesday, thursday and saturday

Looking back on last year, I have learned a few things about myself and the work I want to do.  I have been a full time graphic designer for 11 years and have freelanced for almost as long.  I am finally beginning to realize that some jobs just aren't for me and that's okay.

One thing I learned is that teaching kids at local elementary schools wasn't for me.  Although rewarding, the responsibility of being in the school system and teaching kids who had no desire to learn drawing combined with my anxiety about being prepared and ready for class took more energy from me and my family then I had to give.  I am also stepping away from working on websites for a little while.  They are long and often tedious projects, it is what I do all day as a web designer and taking them on for freelance when my schedule is already jam packed has not been fair for me or my clients. So for now, I am opting out of designing websites.

Now that I got the things that haven't been working out of the way you may be thinking what am I excited about?  Oh lots!  I'm excited about designing my friends wedding invitation suite this month and the possibility of more invite designing in the future.  I am excited about continuing to offer small business design services and marketing myself for those services better this year.  I am excited about expanding my etsy shop with new offerings in jewelry, paper goods, recycled/upcycled gifts, and finally offering art prints of my original paintings and of course more painting.

I may not know which direction to go today, but everyday I will learn and grow within myself allowing my business to naturally grow along with me.  

If you would like to join in the Meetup biz goals fun, head on over to Athena Dreams to read more about what we do and how to join in.