Here we are, 2020, I am so excited the new decade has made its way here.

I sometimes look back these last few years, with thoughts of being more-or-less quiet in the online world. The last 3 years especially, we’ve seen a change in social media and blogging to the point of not knowing if what we share to friends or the online community is actually valuable to people, or simply the noise we read more often. Though I have in fact, decided to not post updates online, I have been keeping active behind the curtain, and that has been essential for what 2020 is about to bring.

Some milestones that happened in 2019:

• I turned 30: Ironically, turning 30 and the fact we are now in 2020, the new decade has been a theme the last several months. Both of which in some ways changes my perspective on things on what is important in life.
• Closing my freelance business 2019: I got a FT job back in 2018 to pivot my career a bit. This was ultimately a hard decision for me to make, but it was one I felt was best for where I can see me and NJP Creative going. Currently, the graphic design service is now on the website as a portfolio page. The photography services have been scaled back to only working with wedding photographers as 2nd shooter, or special photo projects.
  It was a lot of hard phases to scale back the 1-to-1 services of NJP Creative. Hardest part especially saying “no” more often.
  More importantly, I began to realize that taking on a ‘full time day job’ was not considered a failure, but should be taken as an opportunity to shift your business model: to look at how you’re positioning yourself, in order to rebrand and re-enter your offerings more to your true self. And hey, NJP Creative is shifting, changing, and growing like I am. I think so many freelancers and business owners have done the same thing every several years, to grow with what most needed to people.
• Shifting the business model from 1-to-1 client work to product based company: With that 2nd point said, I am re-directing the business from 1 to 1 service-based model to product-based company. The only 1-to-1 client work will be second shooting for wedding photographers in New England.
  There are goals I have on that too, but more on that later.

Recommendation Time (not an affiliate link):

Every year, I create a list of things I’d like to accomplish for the new year, I have learned about The Chalkboard Method from Being Boss back in 2015. Though I don’t have a ‘chalkboard’ per se, I use a cork board with index cards that does the job well for me.

I recommend this approach for anyone, as this is something visual and displayed on the wall you see every day that has helped me make the big decisions over the years.

I also like to add Asana as an electronic copy of the Chalkboard Method. Asana is also a great place to dump all my ideas and goals into.

Here are the Goals of 2020!

So without further ado, here are my current goals for 2020. (Some you may notice have been recycled from my Goals of 2017 post.)

On Business

Create a Thriving Shop.

Yes, you heard that right, creating an online shop is my #1 Goal of 2020. The list below is just a few of the items to look forward to in the next couple months.

Products to look forward to the shop page:

• • Downloadable Graphic Art Prints
  • Limited Edition Landscape Photography
  • Cards (with hand lettering messages)
  • Glass Etching (wine bottles, wall hangings)
  • Hand Lettering designs (on glass & wood materials, T-Shirts and Mugs, possibilities are endless!)

However, I didn’t expect to be such a learning curve, or the mindset shift, of creating your own online shop. Keeping inventory, packaging, and getting paid (!) are just a few of them. I am quickly beginning to realize that all the fear of the unknown, is in-my-head. There is the personal self-doubt that creeps in, figuring out the logistics, and the fear of putting myself out there, that has held me back – and with that my biggest Achilles heal.

But – the best way to get started is to just get started. Most times, we have to take action before we are ready for it. Most times, that can be exactly how to jump-start a new idea, or learn the most.

I will be selling things on:

• • My own website shop page
  • Popular sellers like Creative Market and Etsy.
  • Local businesses: I will make my way around several artisan shops in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

On Self-Growth

Rediscover my confidence. (I now realize years later, this is a continuing journey for me)

For as long as I can remember, being confident is something I struggle with. Even at age 30, this is still a struggle for me. This actually has inspired my ‘one word’ for 2020. 

I am fortunate enough to have such great advocates in my life, such as my friends, family, coworkers, and other influential people. Maybe it’s time to really start getting comfortable becoming my own advocate too.

Enjoy this Season of Life.

My dad told me since I was little to just smell the roses, and to enjoy this season of life. I think that speaks true for all of us, wherever we are in this journey of life. Every year has been a transition year for me, always moving forward to what’s next, and making decisions based on what we know at the time. 

Working the full time job, living in my own little apartment in downtown Keene, and enjoying the social life (and even dating). This is all just part of my own season of life, and this is where I am supposed to be – here and now for the start of 2020. I am going to choose to treasure the freedoms I have now, and patiently await for the rest of my life’s milestones to take it’s place when it’s the right time.

My ‘One Word’ for 2020?

Brave

Thank you so much for reading, I look forward to what 2020 brings both personally & professionally to me and my loved ones.

What are your wishes for the coming year? Any ideas for your single Word of the Year? Leave a reply by commenting below, I look forward to hearing your thoughts & following your journey as well!

Also – do you like the champagne flutes pictured at the top of the page? They are still for sale if you would like to add to your glass collection. 😉