Personal Goals

Although we’re now well into the January hurdle, I wanted to sit down and really focus on my goals for the year ahead. I’m always torn between writing goals and not getting hung-up on what I didn’t achieve at the end of a year. So I’m going to think of these ‘goals’ more as ambitions. Something to strive for and move forward with. It’s always great to be able to have something to remind myself about throughout the year; so I’m hoping reading this again later will give me a boost!

Buy Our First Home

2018 is on track to be a big year for the both of us. After two intense years of saving and scrimping every penny we earn, we’re ready to buy our first home. Deposit in place, mortgage lined up, we’ve even got a solicitor sorted. It feels a little daunting to be taking such a leap into the major decision to buy a house, but we’re doing it. I just can’t wait to decorate! No more of those awful rental magnolia walls…

Launch Brand Bee

If you don’t already know, by day I work as a graphic designer in agency life. It’s great being surrounded by inspiring clients daily, but wouldn’t it be great to do more of what I love for myself? Combined with photography I’m going to be offering my services under my freelance business ‘Brand Bee‘ – watch this space!

Get Back Behind the Wheel

I passed my driving test at the age of 18 and pretty much haven’t driven since. Apart from one time when Luke insured me on his car for ‘practice’ and I asked him to clarify which pedal was the break. As you can imagine, my ride was over before it even really started. I don’t want to let it all go to waste, so this year I’m determined to get back behind the wheel and get confident on the road again.

Learn a New Skill

I feel it’s always such a bonus to gain a new skill, so why stop after school age? The more I find myself becoming an ‘adult’ I’m building on existing skills daily. It would be great to add something entirely new into the mix. Perhaps a cookery class, patisserie lessons or even brush calligraphy!

See More of the UK

With the aim of buying our first house together this year, it’s unsurprising that we (rather, I) have been put on a holiday ban. With Iceland being our big blow out in 2017, I’m looking forward to making the most of experiencing more of the UK and enjoy those ‘stay-cations’ more.

A Look Back at 2017 Blogging Goals

This time last year I shared my 2017 Blogging Goals. Although I didn’t achieve all of the goals, I smashed some of the others and that’s something to be pretty proud of.

Here’s a look at my 2017 goals in review and where I stand now:

Reach 2k Followers on Instagram

With everyone battling against the algorithm, it’s never been harder to raise your profile on Instagram. I’ve been incredibly humbled as of late with the support of fellow ‘grammers who have been sharing my profile and giving me a lovely little boost along the way. I’m currently standing at the 2.5K mark on Instagram and well and truly owned this goal!

Collaborate With More Brands

2017 had some great opportunities for brand collaborations, including the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Scotrail and Chambord. I’m feel over the past year The Little Things has gone from strength to strength and my content has a real focus now. Here’s to more collaborations in 2018!

Reach 1.5K Followers on Bloglovin

With my current Bloglovin’ count sitting at 1.2K, I didn’t quite reach this goal but it’s still been growing! I’ve noticed a real dip in a ‘social’ following approach to Blogging, definitely finding the majority of my traffic coming through links shared on the likes of my Twitter and Pinterest, so I’m trying not to focus too much on the numbers here.

Network More at Events

In 2017 I attended my first Travel Massive event alone here in Edinburgh and forced myself to speak to a whole host of new faces and connections. It was both elating and terrifying all at the same time to put myself out there, but proved I can in-fact, do it.

Understand Google Analytics

Google Analytics is always such a grey area for most. With something that’s constantly evolving it’s hard to keep up with all the latest guidance on Google Analytics, but I’m getting there! There’s so much great self-help out there so I’m going to really strive to understand more in 2018 and make the most out of tracking my readership and trends.

2018 Blogging Goals

With my recap on the 2017 blogging goals in mind, I aim to make 2018 bigger, bolder, better. I’ve most recently been nominated for a UK Blog Award, which has been an amazing boost of actually, I can. Watch this space!

Work On 1 Blogging Collaboration Per Month

I’ve love to work on 12 key blogging collaborations this year (or more!) with a goal of one per month over 2018. It’s obvious how much more in recent times brands and smaller independent ventures are looking to ‘influencers’ online as an asset. It’s something I’d love to play more of a part of and really get my foot in the door.

Land a Big Campaign

This goes hand in hand with my above point, it would be incredible to land a big opportunity with a brand through blogging. It’s amazing seeing fellow bloggers alike working on such inspiring brand content, so why dream small!

Speak at an Event

Although public speaking perhaps isn’t my exact forte, this girl can talk. It would be amazing to speak at an event as a blogger, offering guidance on things that perhaps benefit from my day job as a designer. Think photography, editing guides, software knowledge and cheats – there’s so much to discuss and I’d love to be a part of that.

Reach 5K on Instagram

Last year’s goal for Instagram was small, cautious even. In 2018 I want to believe in myself more and say actually, I am going to achieve that. My Instagram has grown it’s following entirely organically in a big way lately and I’d love to imagine it’s possible to reach 5K followers by the end of this year.

Win a Blog Award

Since being nominated in ‘photography’ at the UK Blog Awards for 2018, then shortlisted down from 4,000 nominations down to just 8 finalists I already can’t quite believe it. It would be incredible to win and I’m not going to let that dream go. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

What are your 2018 goals?

The post 2018 Goals & Ambitions: The Personal Edition appeared first on The Little Things.