April is here, and it’s the beginning of the second quarter of 2017. I’ve been putting off blogging for quite a while, because I wanted everything to be perfect.
Yes, I know quite well that perfectionism is a terrible thing, and I’m working on that, that’s why today I’m writing this blog post. Long ago, when I first started in the online world, I used to share my goals and plans on my personal blog; but I’ve long since stopped that. However, after seeing all the entrepreneurs I admire share their plans publicly, and after failing to keep up with many goals because the only person who knows the intricacies of them is just me and my Bullet Journal, I am committing once again to sharing goals publicly.
Now, this is a business-related blog, so I won’t be sharing too many of my personal goals on here, but I’m definitely going to share all my business goals!
Earlier in the year, I started planning my work schedule in sprints that would range from 8 – 12 weeks, during which I would focus on just a couple of strategic, important goals to move forward with my business. Mid-April will see the end of my first sprint of the year, and after a week’s break, I will start on my second sprint, in the last week of April.
My 1st Sprint of 2017
To be honest, this sprint has been more about learning about myself and my business and honing down a lot of things, and embracing the immense need for routine, than any of the goals I actually set for the sprint. I wouldn’t call it a disaster, but it has been far from perfect.
I will write more on this as I wrap up the sprint and start the new one.
April Goals
Consistency: one of the key things I’ve always struggled with is consistency. I’m a rebel/revolutionary, Type-A personality (ENTJ, anyone?), and routine is my ultimate nemesis; mostly because it used to be dictated to me. When I wasn’t being told when to do what, I lacked the self-discipline needed to actually set myself my own routines. I’ve been learning a lot about letting go of old patterns and habits, and I’m totally shedding this, in both personal and business-related matters!
#soulshot by @nataliemacneil from soulseconds.com
This #soulshot seems apt to the discussion. Shedding old ways, I’m going to commit to blog and post on social media on a consistent basis. I still haven’t figured out all the kinks yet, so this might be weekly, bi-weekly, or even 2 – 3 times a week. I might as well embrace the rebel in me and just go with the flow of my words – which, if not curbed by the perfectionist in me, tend to overflow every few days.
Planning a Virtual Summit: this all very hush-hush right now, and I can’t go into too much detail, but I will be hosting a virtual summit on translation later this year. I cannot wait to start on this goal!
Email and Communication: over a month ago, I started telling everyone I was going to start up my mailing list, and even gathered some email from friends, but I still haven’t written them anything. My goal is to at least write 4 emails to the list in April, and I’m already brainstorming what the first one will contain! I also have had some communication trouble with emails not going through, and I’m committing to figuring out a solution to this problem as well.
To some of you, all of this might look like it’s a lot, but the revolutionary in me is screaming in horror at how small these things are – no “baby steps” allowed, only total transformations, errr, revolutions.
How about you? What are your goals and plans for April? Let us know in the comments below, and let’s get accountable 😉
April I’ll be focusing on professional development and team training – two things that I’ve been putting on the back burner all year while I focused on completing client work.
This month I’m taking the time to really work on growing my own skills and my team’s skills as well.
Great goals, ma-sha Allah! Growing skills is really important. I love how this is coinciding with spring, when plants grow ’til their flowers bloom! May you and your team’s skills bloom as well 😉
I echo the consistency goal. It’s hard to keep on track all of the time. Social media is a tough one unless I schedule I find. Nice to do spur of the moment but then nothing gets posted for a week or so. Gorgeous Soul Shot! Very worth a discussion. I look forward to hearing more about your hush hush summit!
Oh yeah! Spur of the moment is lovely, you get this rush of seeing something you just wrote or imagined or dreamed up getting attention, as opposed to something you scheduled last week to go out, which was strategic and stripped of spontaneity; but it’s not sustainable. Life happens and gets in the way, always!
I look forward to talking about the summit, soon. Stay tuned 😉
I LOVE your post! I love your honesty about getting tripped up and going forward despite this. I too grew up hating routines…not because I was dictated to, but because I thought I am a Creative and want to do what I want when. It took me years to realize – routines- at least self – chosen actually help me accomplish what I want when 🙂
My personal April goals is Decluttering my home in baby steps for eventually downsizing in a few years. I am organized and not a packrat, but I am in a new phase of life and it’s time to “shed old skins.”
My business goal is to finish writing my e-course and book three new clients. I have more specifically stated my goals, but for here, I will keep it general.
Awesome post…great writing and content!
Jul’s – I too share this sentiment … though I don’t necessarily label myself as a “creative”, even though I probably should 😉
Good luck with your personal and business goals! Can’t wait to hear about your e-course! 😀
Bouchra thanks so much for sharing your business goals. It is such an important process to reflect on how things are going and reset. I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts! I’m a bit of a rebel myself so can totally relate to what you say 🙂
Rebels unite! I’m glad you found it relate-able 🙂
Good Luck Bouchra! You got this! My goal for April is LIMITLESS ACTION. Keep pushing forward and acting on instinct and messages received. I am working on patience as I want everything to happen NOW! I know reaching my ultimate goals is a long, steady process and what’s most important is to keep moving forward. Thanks for the inspiration!
Limitless Action – LOVE it!
Patience is key, but boy is it so hard to build! Good luck 🙂
Fabulous goals, Aurora! I know how it can be to get out of the habit of sharing goals and also flowing with motivation, instead of keeping to a schedule. It really depends on what keeps you motivated!
Here’s to your revolutions and rocking April!
My goals are to make 4 deck reviews (also transcribe, post, and share them), and also get the foundation content for one of the websites I work on/for completed.
Cheers to success!
Sue
Woohoo! Good luck with your goals too 🙂
Can’t wait to see your website 😉
I wish you the best of luck with your goals! Mailing list is something I am struggling as well and it definitely needs time and patience. Hope you will solve your email problems soon.
OH MY GOD. I’m feeling so embarrassed because it’s almost a week into April and I still haven’t written to my list … thank you for your wishes! Good luck with your mailing list, too 🙂
Bouchra, consistency is a great goal!! I know so many people struggle with it, so you’re not alone. But even if you can do little things with consistency, you will see big results. Wishing you all the best on your goals! You’re gonna do awesome 🙂
Here’s to your success!
Melanie
Thank you, Melanie! Wishing you success as well 🙂
Get out of my head, Bouchra! I totally feel you on the aim for consistency! The only thing I’ve been consistent about is not being consistent, and don’t get me started on the email list thing. Anyway, I appreciate your vulnerability in this article, and keep us posted on how April went for you!
Hello fellow ENTJ! I need to check and see if I didn’t change after these years, but I sway back and forth between the E and I !
I am feeling you and also need to get back on it.. The last couple of weeks were a bit of a distraction.. it is ok, but like you, I am ready to move! I have no doubt you will do it!
I can’t wait to hear more about your translation work!
oh my, consistency! always a worthy goal. congratulations to you for publicly announcing your intentions. writing them out and sharing them always helps me conquer even my loftiest ambitions. hooray for you, bouchra!