I am really glad that 2016 is over. Although good things happened, too many unsettling things happened as well. It's time to start fresh, and January is the best time to do that.
I don't like referring to a list of "resolutions" because I feel like it then becomes doomed to fail. So, based on my guiding principal of simplicity, here are my goals and aspirations for the new year:
1) Simplify Yet Bolster My Social Media Presence
Many Creative Gifts has a Face Book page (please come "like" the page ;-), a Twitter feed (of course come follow us too!), Instagram photos, etc., etc., but I post and tweet and whatever quite randomly. This year, I'm going to methodically spruce up my page on each media platform and then try to utilize it effectively. I've come across some great checklists and tips on Pinterest (oh, we are there as well) and posted them to my "Small Business Tips" board. Well it's time to go old school, print some of those babies out, and get cracking!
2) Simplify Yet Enhance My Product Offerings
I've always just created what I've felt like making, then posted the pattern on Ravelry and sometimes the actual sample on Etsy. But I haven't paid attention to sales analytics, etc., like I really should. I want to offer items that people want to buy or make themselves! I still think it's a good idea for me to concentrate right now on crocheted and knitted baby wear and build out my Classic and Colorful Collections (but I'm sure I'll get distracted by other projects as well); I just need to be sure I'm offering what buyers are wanting. That's why I participated in two holiday bazaars this year, so that I could do some market research. Unfortunately, the turnout was very low at both due to very rainy and icy weather both days, so I'm not sure I really took away much insight from the experiences (except how to set up and break down a display table efficiently, which is a good lesson to have come away with). I think I'll have another chance in February for a special Valentine's pop-up shop. I anticipate that online sales will continue to be my focus and hopefully concentrating on #1 above will help as well.
3) Simplify Yet Enrich Each Day
It's amazing how easy it is to fritter away time in unproductive and ultimately unsatisfying ways! There's plenty of time in a day to do the things that you want to do IF you are willing to give up the game apps, email scrolling, and all the other time-sucking activities that we all do. Now, I'm a firm believer in mindless activities, we all need to take some down time, but it all needs to be managed. And, I know what you're thinking: "But it's just 5 or 10 minutes, what else could I do with that time?" The answer is plenty. Ten minutes of exercising your abs is better than 10 minutes of exercising your finger! Or, more importantly for me, 10 minutes of activities that help me achieve #1 and #2 above is what I need to be doing. As painful as it is, I think the only way I'm going to be able to direct my attention to worthwhile apps (like a book app or an educational coding one) is to delete the others (taking comfort in knowing that they remain in the App Store for future downloading again if I get desperate). But unplugging might be the best way to simplify: truly making use of the "power of an hour" concept by exercising for 20 minutes, meditating for 20 minutes, and learning for 20 minutes. Back to basics!
I hope my yearly process of closing out one year and getting ready for the next has been helpful to you as well in contemplating your courses of action. There's no right or wrong way to do any of this, just be sure you're making conscious decisions, not passively following habits you no longer need or want :-) Here's to an amazing 2017!
Showing posts with label new year's resolutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new year's resolutions. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Monday, January 4, 2016
Hello 2016!
Well, here we are again, at the beginning of a new year! I try to look at the upcoming 12 months optimistically, a whole new clean slate on which to do whatever it is you want to do. Of course, it's bittersweet because I always go back to the first post of the previous year to see what I did, and did not, accomplish. The two blog posts a week plan sure didn't get done; I did participate more on Facebook, and I've discovered I really enjoy the interaction and some of the new tools that have been added; and I have been much better about actually starting and finishing projects -- you all just haven't heard about them... yet!
So, for 2016, here are my three goals:
1) a realistic and meaningful blog post schedule
As much as I read about the importance of consistency in posting, I think, or at least am hoping, that you all will appreciate fewer but more meaningful posts. I really don't want to slap something up here for the sake of posting and not have it be worthwhile for the reader. Now, I know, don't let perfection get in the way of progress, and I won't/can't, but this year is really going to be about meaningfulness. Quality above quantity and meeting crocheters' needs.
2) a focus on techniques and projects
"Give a pattern to a crocheter, and she's (or he) got one project; teach a new technique to a crocheter, and she's got a lifetime of possibilities." Or something like that ;-). I really want to approach this new year in learning and teaching mode. Don't get me wrong, I too love just picking up a pattern and knowing/hoping that I can follow it and end up with a wonderful finished item. I've actually been doing that a lot this past year, and I think it's going to make me an even better pattern writer. But, there are times when the pattern isn't just the way I want it, and I think it's important to stray from the directions and add my own touches. I really want to empower other crocheters to feel comfortable doing the same. Not everyone's got a local yarn store where they can get assistance and build community. That's the beauty of the Internet, we can do it right here!
3) explore the "crochet/knit lifestyle"
I hinted last year at my observation that crocheting (and knitting) are more than just hobbies; they really are important aspects of life itself. You know what I mean -- you start crocheting or knitting, and you just get this feeling. Not just about the particular project you are making but about the process you're engaging in as well as about your surroundings. I really want to spend this year exploring and conveying specifically what this means. Again, due to modern life, we don't have the communities and kinships that we used to, but I have noticed on Facebook in particular and the Internet in general, that like-minded souls do seem to find each other :-). And, I'm sure you've noticed my references to knitting as well. I really want to incorporate more knitting into my projects because, let's face it, there are certain knitting techniques that work better than crochet for certain aspects of a project (think ribbing!). I also get a different feeling when I knit than when I crochet (maybe because I haven't been knitting for as long), and I think that phenomenon will be worth exploring as well.
So, perhaps loftier goals for 2016, but hopefully ones you will want to explore with me! Happy New Year everyone, here's to making it a great one!!
So, for 2016, here are my three goals:
1) a realistic and meaningful blog post schedule
As much as I read about the importance of consistency in posting, I think, or at least am hoping, that you all will appreciate fewer but more meaningful posts. I really don't want to slap something up here for the sake of posting and not have it be worthwhile for the reader. Now, I know, don't let perfection get in the way of progress, and I won't/can't, but this year is really going to be about meaningfulness. Quality above quantity and meeting crocheters' needs.
2) a focus on techniques and projects
"Give a pattern to a crocheter, and she's (or he) got one project; teach a new technique to a crocheter, and she's got a lifetime of possibilities." Or something like that ;-). I really want to approach this new year in learning and teaching mode. Don't get me wrong, I too love just picking up a pattern and knowing/hoping that I can follow it and end up with a wonderful finished item. I've actually been doing that a lot this past year, and I think it's going to make me an even better pattern writer. But, there are times when the pattern isn't just the way I want it, and I think it's important to stray from the directions and add my own touches. I really want to empower other crocheters to feel comfortable doing the same. Not everyone's got a local yarn store where they can get assistance and build community. That's the beauty of the Internet, we can do it right here!
3) explore the "crochet/knit lifestyle"
I hinted last year at my observation that crocheting (and knitting) are more than just hobbies; they really are important aspects of life itself. You know what I mean -- you start crocheting or knitting, and you just get this feeling. Not just about the particular project you are making but about the process you're engaging in as well as about your surroundings. I really want to spend this year exploring and conveying specifically what this means. Again, due to modern life, we don't have the communities and kinships that we used to, but I have noticed on Facebook in particular and the Internet in general, that like-minded souls do seem to find each other :-). And, I'm sure you've noticed my references to knitting as well. I really want to incorporate more knitting into my projects because, let's face it, there are certain knitting techniques that work better than crochet for certain aspects of a project (think ribbing!). I also get a different feeling when I knit than when I crochet (maybe because I haven't been knitting for as long), and I think that phenomenon will be worth exploring as well.
So, perhaps loftier goals for 2016, but hopefully ones you will want to explore with me! Happy New Year everyone, here's to making it a great one!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Reflections
Ah, it's the day before a new year yet once again. This one especially seems to have come quickly. I mean, really, where did 2010 go?! We were digging out of a Snowpacolypse at about this same time last year, and here in DC, we were on the verge of another one (just dodged it, and our thoughts are with our friends on the Northeast corridor who did not!).
Of course, it's hard not to get reflective during this time of year. What did I accomplish this past year? What didn't quite get done? What am I going to try to do in the upcoming year? I've been trying to figure this out all this past week while it's been quiet at home and work, and I think I'll share some of my thoughts with you so that, next year, I can come back to this post to double check myself :-) Also, hopefully, it will help you think this through for yourself and help you set some goals for 2011.
Goal setting does seem to be the first step. Setting goals is important because you need something to try to achieve and to measure your success by. And, when I say success, I mean whatever you decide you want it to mean. It does NOT have to be a money thing (so unfortunate that a lot of people measure success by the amount of money you make) -- it's about what will make you feel like you have taken some steps forward. You'll want your goal to be something that can be achieved but that will make you stretch a bit. For example, one of my goals for the upcoming year is to have 1000 followers, either here, on Facebook or Twitter, or through whatever channels followers want to connect with me. And, I really want to make a connection with people and get feedback from them, so another goal is to actively participate in at least 5 social media/forums (I've been laying back, reading about others, and enjoying the conversations and thoughts, but as they say in NY "you gotta be in it to win it!"). I also want to do a lot more article writing and publishing this coming year, but haven't yet fully nailed down the specifics (that's the other thing -- you need to be specific about your goals, once again so that you can figure out whether you succeeded in accomplishing them).
So, I leave you today with wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2011!! And start working on your own list of specific goals you want to accomplish in the new year :-)
Of course, it's hard not to get reflective during this time of year. What did I accomplish this past year? What didn't quite get done? What am I going to try to do in the upcoming year? I've been trying to figure this out all this past week while it's been quiet at home and work, and I think I'll share some of my thoughts with you so that, next year, I can come back to this post to double check myself :-) Also, hopefully, it will help you think this through for yourself and help you set some goals for 2011.
Goal setting does seem to be the first step. Setting goals is important because you need something to try to achieve and to measure your success by. And, when I say success, I mean whatever you decide you want it to mean. It does NOT have to be a money thing (so unfortunate that a lot of people measure success by the amount of money you make) -- it's about what will make you feel like you have taken some steps forward. You'll want your goal to be something that can be achieved but that will make you stretch a bit. For example, one of my goals for the upcoming year is to have 1000 followers, either here, on Facebook or Twitter, or through whatever channels followers want to connect with me. And, I really want to make a connection with people and get feedback from them, so another goal is to actively participate in at least 5 social media/forums (I've been laying back, reading about others, and enjoying the conversations and thoughts, but as they say in NY "you gotta be in it to win it!"). I also want to do a lot more article writing and publishing this coming year, but haven't yet fully nailed down the specifics (that's the other thing -- you need to be specific about your goals, once again so that you can figure out whether you succeeded in accomplishing them).
So, I leave you today with wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2011!! And start working on your own list of specific goals you want to accomplish in the new year :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)