Pages and Pages of Plans!

Each night when I go to bed, I take paper and pen with me and continue working on my Goal and Goal Plan for 2009. At this point, I have decided that I need to get up at 4:30 a.m. in order to run my business, my home and take care of myself. I said before that I am a morning person. Working out after my full time job seemed to be going okay for a little bit, and then I got busier and it got pushed aside and I quit working out. The frigid weather and the treacherous roads came and I stopped walking the dog. Not okay.

My thought is that if I pull myself out of my workshop around 9:00 p.m. I might get to sleep early enough to not cringe when the alarm goes off at 4:30. Doing so would allow me a short 20 minute workout before I have to get ready for work, plus time to check my shop and e-mail. I didn't like walking the dog in the pitch dark at 5:30 a.m. Not that we live in a scary neighborhood, but you can't see a darn thing. I like to enjoy my walks, and even though it was quiet and peaceful and I enjoyed that....I didn't enjoy it enough to do it every day. So, the walks are going to get moved to right after I get home. Hopefully that will work better.

I am also trying to figure out a way to also talk to my husband of 36 years for at least an hour or so a day instead of flying in the door yelling, "Hello, how was your day?" as I dash into my workshop. I think I need more structure and more balance in order to be successful in business and in my life. So....that was discovery number one.

Next, I set up some things I want to accomplish each month and I am through May I think. Things like getting my Valentine's Day cards listed in my etsy shop, opening MyOtherShop with my new decoupage line, moving my Fun and Fancy Plates over to MyOtherShop, getting on Artfire, designing new businesses cards, getting a website up and linked to etsy, Mother's Day cards, a vinyl sign for my back car window and Father's Day cards. I also have somewhat of an idea how much money I would like to be bringing in each month throughout the year, by my plan isn't so much money based as it is the things I need to do. I believe if I do the things I have planned, the sales will come.

I also plan to schedule my time on twitter and the forums. I just don't have an hour a day to spend chatting. I know it is helpful and can be useful, but I think if I schedule my time, and I know I only have so much time, I will make it more constructive. Again, I think balance is the key.

With that said...my little duckies are turning out so cute and I am working on a great little birdhouse right now. I tried to buy one of many different things to make and put in MyOtherShop when I open it and then see what garners the most interest. I have sold a lot of different craft things over the years, but never decoupage. I'm not sure what to expect. I do know that being as picky as I am, the items are taking longer to complete than I had anticipated. I want some of the things to look old and worn, and meticulous sanding of paper edges takes time. Picky, picky me!

I promise that if I can get them sealed tomorrow I will get some pictures up this weekend.

Have you put your goals and your goal plan in writing yet? Have you started working toward your goal? If you have, good for you! If not....what are you waiting for...it's January 2, 2009!