I’ve been sitting here for the last week trying to figure out what I really want to accomplish in 2012.
I can think of things I know I want to do “someday” … Some indefinite space of time in the future when I feel like I’m “ready” …
But what of those things do I know I want to start working toward this year?
And beyond that …. what from 2011 do I want to carry over to 2012? Is there anything I want to drop? Anything that’s not working that I need to let go of?
In 2011 I:
- released 2 paid and 1 free ebooks
- helped run 2 sessions of 30 Days of Lists
- ran my first online workshop – Onward and Upward
- began offering consulting spots
- worked full-time at my day job (around 50 hours/week away from home)
Looking back ….
30 Days of Lists was definitely a success! Kam and I are excited to get started on the next round ! All of our participants’ enthusiasm is so contagious and we are so grateful that we can offer something that so many people are passionate about.
It’s incredibly gratifying ….
My 2 ebooks also seemed to be a hit …. Less so, but that is to be expected. The subject matter of Tell Its Story in particular is very focused and not in any way as accessible as 30 Days of Lists.
I have to be honest. Tell Its Story is, I think, my favorite of all my ebooks. I genuinely love the subject matter.
My free ebook SHIFT helped me get a big boost (about 40%) in my newsletter sign-ups (another one of my mini-goals for 2011), so that’s always a plus.
Offering consulting has been interesting: I get emails often from readers asking questions about this or that, but as soon as I start trying to request that my time be valued by actual money the questions dry up.
I love love loved Onward and Upward. We had a very small group (slightly smaller than I would have liked), but personally I really enjoyed working with a small group in an intimate group and the subject matter of O&U is really close to my heart.
In 2011 I actually spent money on placing ads on other blogs. It was for sure a learning experience. Some blogs are just not worth the money no matter how big their audience. Some blogs are far underpriced for the traffic they generate to their sponsors.
Looking forward….
I think 2012 is going to be the year I actually work toward becoming a capital-A Author! I have some ideas – both fiction and non-fiction.
I don’t want to give too much away…. But I think I will be investing in Your Big Beautiful Book Plan. I’ve got a very specific book idea, and even a couple publishers I think would be perfect for it. What has held me back? Oh, you know. I have no idea what I’m doing in that industry … and no real idea who to ask for help.
In 2012 I want to do far less work at the last second. You don’t want to know exactly when I wrote this post, or finished writing SELF LOVE before making it available. I want to finish writing an ebook or online course and actually take a a week or 2 to gather reviews and proofread and craft my marketing launch before putting it out in the world. It’s kind of amazing I have accomplished anything at all working as haphazardly as I do.
As far as products to release, I have about 400 million ideas. Which is helpful but also a pain, of course, as it necessitates prioritizing and culling which I would rather not do. There’s one idea in particular that I’ve had for nearly 2 years now and can’t really get beyond the initial outline. Is that because it’s too much work for me right now or because it’s not a good idea? I don’t know.
I need to decide if I want L&R to focus more on helping small businesses (a la marketing, etc), or more with helping individuals (a la self-confidence, etc). I think so far L&R has been a blend of both. Do you think that’s working? Would you rather see more of one or the other?
I loved Onward and Upward, but I am not certain there’s an audience for another round. If I do run it again it won’t be til the fall, so I have some time to think about it.
In 2012 I want to be much more deliberate in the blogs that I sponsor. Specifically, in the last couple months I’ve created a Welcome landing page that I think is helping KEEP more first time readers than just sending them to the main URL (although, I need to look more carefully at my stats). P.S. If you’re wondering which blogs I’ve sponsored that give the most bang for the buck? I highly recommend sponsoring Campfire Chic, Wild Olive and One Pearl Button.
I spent most of 2011 assuming I would be quitting my ‘day job’ any time …. I fully intend to spend 2012 the same way. I don’t ever want to feel like I’m stuck in that day job. I don’t ever want that to be my long-term career. Instead, I will be spending 2012 slowly building the blocks to allow me to quit that job entirely (whether I’ll find another day job or not, I don’t know). But just the mental state of thinking I could only have a few more months there genuinely helps my motivation.
I think I’ll spend the next day or 2 really brainstorming and laying out a workable plan and specifics for 2012….
What about you!? Have you settled on any goals or intentions for the new year?
More resources for goal setting and planning for the new year:
