A lot can happen in a year.
How will you end 2014? We have exactly twenty three days until the year is over. What are YOU going to do to make it count? What do you want in life? What is preventing you from doing those things and how are you going to conquer them?
This is where my head is right now. Guys, I want so much out of life I am bursting at the seams. Do you ever feel this way? I want to up my blogging game; I want to figure out a way to make a living out of what I love; and I want to get super healthy. All so simple right? I wish!
I hope you had your coffee this morning because this is going to be a long one ladies.
I have experienced one of my most amazing years. The things I am most proud of are: I spoke at a conference, I started Garnish & Glam, I quit my career to pursue my dream doing something I love and I got a blog makeover. And I want even more for 2015.
These next twenty three days I am setting myself up to dominate. So how am I going to do that exactly? Well, to be honest, I have no idea. But I have a plan. That plan is to make it as easy as possible for me to reach my dreams. I am going to do a little of what I did last year and add a little something extra – which I think is going to be the magic!
So what’s the magic you ask? I am glad you asked. Lets back up for a second. A few months ago, I had an “Aha!” moment. I signed up for one of Jess Lively’s complimentary webinars and she said something that really registered with me. I am probably butchering her message but this is what I learned:
1. Identify your obstacles that are preventing you from doing what you want.
2. Remove those obstacles.
Easier said than done, but I love it. It is so simple, yet I realize I constantly set myself up for failure. This message has been marinading with me for awhile and I am applying this philosophy to 2015. I am so excited for this experiment and I will keep you updated on how things go. This took my some significant time but here are my two main goals for the upcoming year!
1. HEALTH: I do not live the healthiest lifestyle. I attend 3-5 events on average every week. Which means a lot of booze, food and late nights. “Sips and treats” as we bloggers and PR people like to call it. I don’t sleep, my diet is terrible, I don’t work out and I sometimes just look awful! The holidays are not helping either. I am extremely educated in health, how to read labels, how to work out, etc. But I just don’t do it. The question is WHY? Let’s dive into it.
MY HEALTH OBSTACLES
1. I am surrounded by food and alcohol. And I do not have the will power to say no to a chocolate tart and flute of champagne when presented. They just look so good!
2. I do not have time to work out (this is actually not true, but I tell myself this).
3. I am always on the go and unhealthy food is faster to grab.
REMOVE MY OBSTACLES
1. Scale down the events. Significantly. I am so fortunate to receive invitations to some amazing openings and parties. But the truth is, it is wearing on me. It is temptation island at it’s finest. Cutting back the parties will remove the buttery apps and cocktails from within arms reach and give me more time to work out and make healthy recipes. Just handled 1, 2 and 3!
2. Meet for coffee over cocktails. People like to meet up and pick each others’ brains over drinks. I will suggest trading in libations for coffee/tea the next time someone reaches out.
3. Catch up with friends over a work out class instead of dinner. Combining something I don’t like doing with pleasure saves time and makes it more fun! Plus I am less tempted to order truffle fries or a crispy chicken sandwich. I will always love going out but I love the idea of a work out date.
4. Make healthy snacks that I can grab on the go and/or keep in my purse. Boiled eggs, energy balls, celery with peanut butter, Kind Bars, peanuts or cashews, etc. I love all these foods and there is no reason why I can’t fill the fridge with these healthier items.
See how this is working? Okay, next goal.
2. UP MY BLOG GAME WITH BRANDS: I want to focus on collaborating and creating unique content with brands I love. This is my favorite thing to do and I love seeing how other bloggers put their own spin on products and services. So what is preventing me from working with more companies?
MY BLOG OBSTACLES
1. Brands do not know I exist.
2. Brands do not want to work with me.
3. I have other obligations that get in the way (that whole time thing again!)
REMOVE MY OBSTACLES
1. Pitch to brands: This will be my number one thing this year and I may have already started. I am scared of being turned down but it comes with the territory right? I have heard this is how a lot of successful bloggers have gotten ahead but it is not quite public knowledge. Also, several businesses want to collaborate but they do not know how or who to work with. Reaching out directly makes it easy for them. I have found this so true when pitching to businesses for Garnish & Glam! Especially the local shops. They are so excited to do something new, that they do not have time for.
2. Find out what brands need: Let’s face it, I am not going to be Rolls Royce’s ideal candidate. But figuring out what companies want, their target audience and pitching to that angle, will increase my chances of businesses wanting to work with me!
3. Cut down on events to make time: This might just solve all my problems! I will use the time I would spend mingling either pitching, writing or creating.
4. Plan ahead: Keeping a content calendar and using my favorite planner (sold out but you can buy one at Magnificent Milestones!) will keep me grounded and able to see the bigger picture. Which means making time and planning for what I really want to do. Yay!
Whew! That was a mouthful wasn’t it? But I feel like I have a strategy and something I can work towards versus “I am going to be more healthy” or “I am going to blog better”. See how vague and intangible those statements seem? If you want to join me in removing obstacles to meet your goals, let me know. I would love to set up a Goal Buddy System and touch base once in a while. I of course plan to share my adventure here too. It would be so fun to do it together though. If you are interested, shoot me an email or leave a comment below.
What are your goals this year? Or do you tend to stay away from New Year resolutions?
You are so incredibly organized with your goals, Nicole! I think having some sort of action plan – kind of like your own personal business plan for your life – is useful because when and if you do get off track, you can always come back to it.
I’m feeling the same way – so much to do and so little time to do it. I’ve been planning on using this month to get my stuff together and create an action plan. Appears that it will be towards the end of the month.
Thanks Lindsay! I am really trying this year. It definitely helps you stay focused and realize that the little things you do every day are for something greater. I can’t wait to see what is in store for you come 2015 🙂
Yes, I totally agree Lindsay! It is great to have a bigger goal so it helps justify the little things (that aren’t so pleasant) that you have to do to get there. I cannot wait to see what is in your future for 2015 considering all the amazing things you have accomplished in 2014!
Love this post! For healthy eating try hummus and veggies, one of my favorites. You might want to check out Lara Casey’s Power Sheets or Whitney English’s Authenticate challenges, both helpful in staying focused on your goals.
I would love to join your Goal Buddy System since we both have businesses to grow in 2015! Congratulations on your major steps forward this year, wishing you continued success in the upcoming year!
Melissa, thank you so much for the tips! I cannot wait to check out these power sheets and challenges you speak of. Definitely new to me. And I am so happy you want to be a goal buddy. Excited to see where you go as well!
I love that you just picked two goals to really focus on, and that they both end up having the same obstacles! The past few months, I’ve really been feeling the time crunch too. I hate turning down invitations, but in the end there is only so much time in the day! (and compromising on sleep is a bad decision)
Thanks Katherine! It is so funny I didn’t realize I had the same obstacle for both goals until I wrote it down. Amazing how you sometimes need to see something right in front of you before you “see” it. Thanks for the comment!
Girl, 2015 is looking mighty fine for you! You are truly inspiring to me and I’m most definitely in for the Goal Buddy System 🙂 I’m working on a post for my 2015 and this got me thinking that I need to scale it down a bit and dive deeper into a few big goals I have for myself.
Thanks Jessica! I have a good feeling about 2015 for you too. You are quite the motivated lady.
Congratulations on all your successes of the year and on defining your upcoming goals. I have similar goals and it’s interesting to see how someone else is tackling them. Good luck and I’d love to be part of the buddy system!
Great running into you last night!
Lauren, it was so great meeting you too!
This is great Nicole — so simple yet so true and powerful!! I love how you broke down your goals!! And I can’t wait to watch and see what you do with your blog!! 🙂
Thanks Sarah 🙂 Xx
What wonderful tips and advice on living a healthier life and pursuing after your dream! You are a darling and I’m so glad to have met you! Thanks for this inspirational post, I really need to get myself to the gym too as that’s my new year resolution. Have a lovely day Nicole! 🙂 xo~ Lena
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You are right! It is easy to get swept away with so many events-when I was covering charity and lifestyle events, sometimes I would have 2-3 events in one day and its so easy to get wrapped up in everything going on. When I started training for the Chicago Marathon I had to literally clear my schedule for about 12 weeks and focus on running. It’s made me realize there is always going to be another fun event and I’ll really get to appreciate going when I put in time for myself and make taking care of my body my priority #1! I’m glad you talked about this, it is such a hard thing to balance, unless events start serving kale shakes and extra protein!
Megan, that would be fabulous if events started focusing on kale shakes. You may be on to something…haha. And I think you hit the nail on the head, there are always going to be other events. I think I have a major case of FOMO. Excited to see how it changes my life!
I think having catered kale shakes at social events is a GREAT idea, Megan! 😉 Business idea, anyone?
Reading this was a breath of fresh air! The philosophy is so simple- but man is it effective. I’d love to set up a Goal Buddy-System with you! Just need to set s few first. xx
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Yay! January 1st, we will get started.
Sometimes you read a post just about spot on when you need it. This was that for me. This method of focusing, simplifying and breaking things down makes it easy to envision these goals becoming reality. I want the world; and get overwhelmed just thinking about it. This method cuts it up into appetizers pieces; perfection. Thanks Nicole! I’m sure this new year will treat you well! xx
Gorgeous post, Nicole! Both the look and the message! I love the clarity of your goal-planning.
Mariah, thanks so much for the support! Hope you are sticking with your goals!
i love how simple you made this (seem, haha). this is one of the first goal setting articles that I feel is to the point and really honest and simple about how we can approach obstacles and opportunities in our life to reach our goals…will be trying myself + excited to share! thanks!!
Kate, I really appreciate your thoughtful comment. How are things going so far? I would love to hear!
Found your blog via Lauren @ LPF – love this approach. It seems so simple. Thanks!
Thanks Stephanie for stopping by. I am glad it simplified goal making – it can be so intimidating!
Nicole, this is such an inspiring read, thank you for sharing. I also have the goal to be more fit in 2015. I signed-up for class pass and my sister also joined CP. We’ve been scheduling 2-3 workouts together a week, followed by a 2 hour max business meeting where we set clear goals that can be accomplished each time we get together. Would love to hear an update in a few months on how everything is going as you work towards your goals 🙂
Thanks so much Natalie!! I am planning on re-signing up for ClassPass too. I just LOVE it. Way to go on your business meeting and setting boundaries. Highly effective. Great job and keep it up. You are going places!
I absolutely loved reading this post. My mom always tells me that “you can eat an elephant, bite by bite”. Some times I forget that you need to break it down to see the full picture and identify the obstacles in order to come up with the solutions. Thanks again for sharing- definitely love the buddy system idea!
It sounds like your mom is a wise woman. And I am totally stealing that line. Thanks so much for your sweet comment and feel free to let me know how your goals are going! Would love to hear how other people keep their commitments.