MANIFESTING MY GOALS, WISHES AND INTENTION FOR 2019...
Do you get a bit reflective towards the end of a calendar year? I do, big time! In part because it’s always incredibly sobering to think that yet another year has passed, but also because it’s so helpful for me to analyse what worked, what didn’t work and what to focus on during the new year.
When I started blogging I had a practice where I shared my food blogger wish list for the year ahead. I did it for the year 2015 and 2016 and then fell out of this practice, settling instead for quietly writing the new year’s wish list in my journal. I call BS on that because sharing the list publicly makes me work harder, gives the wish list more power to manifest itself and provides me with a sense of accountability.
Hence here it is, my wish list for 2019. You ready?
1. SETTING MY WORD OF INTENTION: STRUCTURE!
I have to be honest, STRUCTURE is probably the least sexy word EVER when it comes to words of the year. I wish I’d chosen ‘creativity’, ‘fun’ or even ‘fearless’ but the truth is STRUCTURE is the word that in my heart of hearts feels right for me at this junction of my life as a food blogger; the word that will allow my wish to come to fruition. That’s because I know I thrive when my week is structured and the hours in the day are given purpose within a set framework. When I lose that structure, I scroll aimlessly, procrastinate in other useless ways and, worst still, miss key moments with my family. So STRUCTURE it is!
2. WRITE DAILY!
I have two MAJOR goals I wish to achieve this year and the truth is I can’t achieve either if I don’t sit my butt down every single day and write my little heart out. So that’s what I’m gonna do. (And I need aforementioned structure to make this happen. See where I’m going with my word of intention?!;) BTW I’m sharing the two goals inside the creative community over the coming weeks, if you want to know what they are please join us.)
3. GROW MY MAILING LIST
To be honest 2018 saw a major shift for me away from focusing solely on Instagram and the blog, towards building – amongst other things – my mailing list. But, upon reflection I played it small. I am however very excited to play it big in 2019 and will be sure to spill all in THE INSTAGRAM SERIES when I have some key tips to share with you around mailing list building.
4. SHOW MYSELF TO MY INSTAGRAM TRIBE!
It’s funny because on my wish list for 2015 I recognized even then how important it was for ‘me’ to show up more somehow. And even though I have worked hard to ensure my unique writing voice is audible on the blog, in my captions on Instagram and on the podcast, I’m still not sufficiently visible on my grid. In fact I did the complicated maths and found that there were just 5!!!! pictures of me on my Instagram grid in all of 2018! Pathetic!
It’s ironic because I SO often advise my Instagram mentoring clients to show themselves on their grid, yet I don’t do it as often as I should myself. Now, rest assured my Instagram isn’t going to turn into a selfies fest, but I’m aiming for 1 shot of me a month, AKA 12 over the course of 2019. Doable? What do you think?
5. LEVERAGE THE PODCAST
I feel so strongly that the podcast is very ME and that it’s where I need to focus my energy on in 2019. That’s all I know at this point to be honest. So watch this space as I tease this one out…
6. MIX IT UP INSIDE MY CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Over this past year I’ve tried a lot of different things, from doing LIVE Instagram mentoring sessions, to LIVE masterclasses with expert guests, to food photography demos. You name it, I’ve tried it – some of it worked and some of it didn’t.
For 2019, I intend to keep the Question Of The Week (which is about asking industry related questions and about getting to know each other better), Food Photography Friday (where members give each other feedback on their photography) as well as our Gratitude Sunday Practice (which does what it says on the tin) going strong.
In addition, I am aiming to have 4 LIVE instagram mentoring sessions as well as 4 food styling demos (which were your favourite) sprinkled over the course of 2019. I probably won’t be holding any LIVE masterclasses as the podcast has taken over on that front. I DO intend to introduce A CREATIVE DIARY and a JOB BOARD for food bloggers. That feels like plenty, doesn’t it!?
7. RE-STRUCTURE MY TIME ON INSTAGRAM
This one is my scariest wish list item but also potentially my most powerful one! STRUCTURE means I will only have a short, dedicated time slot for Instagram (insert scary shrieky-faced emoji), so once my time is up I forbid myself from commenting, scrolling, staring at pretty picture etc.
It’s not because I don’t appreciate all the love I get from you on Instagram or because I don’t appreciate you anymore, but because it’s the ONLY way I can complete the two projects I want to, produce killer written content as well as develop the podcast to further benefit YOU as a food blogger, photographers, content creators and food instagrammer.
So please forgive me if I’m quieter this year, I don’t mean it in a rude way. Thank you all sooo much for understanding and for allowing me to make this my year. Wishing you a fabulous 2019, may all your wildest dreams come true.
Now I’d like to know what’s on your wish list for 2019? What dreams are you working towards? I’d love to know; you can share them in the comment section below if you wish.