Dreams, Visions And Resolutions 2014

I know a lot of people are on the I-don't-believe-in-setting-resolutions-train, but not me.  When people say that what hear is "I'm not setting any goals for my life this year."  After all, a resolution is in fact another word for goal.  And I think that we should all set new goals for ourselves or make plans to attempt to complete the goals still in progress.  I have made a list of resolutions/goals for the year but each month I am setting short term goals to help me reach my year long goals.

Before we jump into my list check out my Dream Board below.  It's visual reminder of my most important goals I want to accomplish and mark off my list.  If you're interested in making one here's the link: http://goo.gl/j9Bduw

In 2014, I want to:

• Find a church
• Continue working with JJ to make progress with his speech
• Get Moo into a top rated kindergarten
• Take a family vacation/trip
• Secure 2 major/dream sponsors for YUMMommy
• Publish my novel online & in print
• Host mini book tour/signings
• Vlog a minimum of once a month
• Buy a second car
• Pay off student loan (a little over $6000 left)
• Attend 5 events
• 1 Blog Conferences
• 1 Charity Dinner/Event
• 1 Local Blogger Meetup
• 2 Family Events
• Host a charity event online & locally
• Blanket/Yarn Drive
• Toy Drive
• School Supply Drive
• Scholarship Fund
• Workout 3x a week
• Continue cooking & eating healthy
• Buy house/townhouse with at least 3 bedrooms & office space (foreclosures are cheap again in our area)
• Build up savings
• Find the kids a pet neither is allergic to
• Get a new laptop and desktop
• Nourish the relationships with my friends, family, supporters and God
• Family portraits
• Ditch the ponytail and try new hair styles
• Continue revamping wardrobe
• Take a class (already found three free classes online)
• Redo logos
• Think more positively
• Enjoy life

Some of these I think overlap.  For example, if we attended a family event out of town and made it an entire weekend trip, then that would count as a mini family vacation.  And of course, the things that I want to continue doing don't require me to go out of my way to do anything different. So, I know this list looks long, but I'm going to try my hardest to cross off everything.  Thankful Thursday post will be coming later on today!

What goals, resolutions or dreams have you set for yourself and family to accomplish in 2014?

Dreams, Visions And Resolutions 2013

"It's only when you make the process your goal that the big dream can follow."

~Oprah Winfrey

Miss Winfrey couldn't have hit the nail more on the head if she tried.  Year after year many of us set resolutions, write down our dreams and entertain visions of how we would like for our lives to play out in the next year.  And while I have to admit that I did pretty good on accomplishing a few of my resolutions, I can admit that I could have done a whole lot better.  This year I was a mom of two, battled several issues in my personal life and almost sunk back into depression.  But still I should have made the process of achieving my dreams and resolutions my main goal.

So, with 2012 about to kick the bucket and the kids down for bed, I have completed my 2013 Vision Board to serve as a guide and constant reminder of my dreams, visions and resolutions for the new year.  I'm staying committed to making the process my goal.   It's not just enough to speak these things out into the universe YUMMs.  Words and faith without actions and follow up might as well be nonexistent. 

I'm telling you these last two months have been eye openers and game changers for me.  Like in all seriousness, shit got really real!  This always second guessing myself and over thinking every step before I even make it got me nowhere.  And as much as I want to say that I let other people talk me out of taking certain leaps, at the end of the day the truth was whatever I didn't accomplish or take a stab at was because of my own fears.

I'm taking back the wheel and control of my life.  My destiny. My legacy.  There's so much riding on me reaching fuller potential that it's not even funny.  It's go big or stay home in 2013. I'm either putting up or shutting up this shop and sitting my butt down somewhere.  And I'm choosing to shine and go for the gold.

In 2013, my resolutions are to:

• Get stronger in my faith and read my Bible daily
• Workout 3 times a week minimum
• Cook healthier (sorry fried foods)
• Travel more and experience new places with the kiddies and Mr
• Secure my dream blog sponsors
• Attend at least 2 blog conferences
• Build up my savings account and family emergency fund
• Become more present and here in the time I spend with my kids and husband
• Publish this novel I've been talking about and do a mini book tour/signing
• Find an illustrator for my kids book series
• Buy a new car (I'm not about this one car life anymore)
• Move to a bigger place (We've been cramped long enough)
• Increase my giving back and community service
• Grow YUMMommy
• Start an online magazine
• Revamp my wardrobe (I lost a lot of weight and inches since Jan 2012 but I've barely gotten new clothes for my new shape)
• Stay Team Natural (Relaxers I rebuke you)
• Do more for myself (No more talking myself out of new shoes or cute nail polishes)
• Build and nourish new friendships

There you have it. By end of the 365 days of 2013, I aim to have every last one of these marked off my list.  And yes, that's being realistic. I don't think I've made any resolutions that I would take more than a year to achieve.  For a few of these, I've already set wheels into motion and at this point it's about following through and checking up on things.

As New Year's Eve approaches, I hope that each of you are taking stock of your life from 2012.  What didn't you like?  What didn't you accomplish that you wanted to?  And why didn't you accomplish it?  Don't be your biggest enemy in 2013.  Make your list of goals and resolve first to commit to taking the steps to making your dreams reality. 

Anything is possible if you're willing to work for it.  Get an accountability partner if you need to.  Just don't settle for another year of throwing in the towel and complaining from the sidelines. Get out their on the court and play to win it YUMMs!

What's your biggest dream or accomplishment you want or need to achieve in 2013?

Visions For 2012

2012 is well underway and I've been reading and hearing about a lot New Year's resolutions and goals.  It got me to thinking about what I want to accomplish before this year is out.  So, I decided to create my 2012 Vision Board.  Last year, I got a late start but was still able to get the ball rolling on some things.

Being able to visually see the goals I want to accomplish this year day in and day out is really going to motivate me even harder.  I'll have a daily reminder of what it is I'm supposed to be working hard to achieve. Some of these things are a continuation from last year such as;

~Buy a house:  We've been house hunting for some now.  I did get briefly discouraged.  And we did face a few bumps, but I'm learning to be patient.  This is the biggest purchase and decision of our lives.  I don't want to end up settling because I was in a hurry.  At the same time though, we are living in the rental from Hell!

~Travel:  So, last year I did not travel at all unless going back and forth to my mom's house counts.  And there was New Year's 2011 at the beach but that's about it.  This year I'm going to work hard to change that.    I've been researching and traveling isn't all that expensive if you plan ahead and take alternative transportation like the train.  I've been aching to return to New York and visit my family.  And I'm overdue for a visit to see my bff in Philly!

~$1500 Emergency Fund:  Sadly, I failed miserably at even closely obtaining this goal.  We had so many things happening like our getting totaled, having a baby, house hunting and more than our share of ER trips.  Plus, I did get a little shopping happy too.  Not this year though.  I'm going to be reigning in my spending and setting aside money on a monthly basis.

Some things on this board are new like:

~Pampering Myself:  I have a really hard time treating myself to nice things.  I'm always coming up with reasons I don't need a new pair of shoes even though the ones on my feet have about had it.  My kids walk around dressed in Calvin Klien pea coats and Kenneth Cole jump suits (the internet/Marshalls/TJ Maxx are my bffs).  However, I have a hard time buying myself designer things.

~Cooking & Eating Healthier:  I love cooking and I love eating just as much!  However, I'm not exactly the most healthy cook.  What can I say, Paula Dean is my kitchen idol!  But if I'm going to leave the plus size section behind for good, I have to make better food choices.  I'm not only helping myself but my family.

~Back to College: I've mentioned this but I never really put it on my vision board.  Well, now that it's on there I'm ready to do something about it.  I'm thinking that online classes will be good until summer since I'm still breastfeeding.

~Stronger Marriage/Relationship w/ God:  Both my marriage and faith are very important to me.  And they go hand in hand.  Without a strong relationship with God, what will I fall back on when my marriage is in the dumps.  And yes it happens, but divorce is just not an option for us (with the exception of cheating, abuse & drug addiction).  I don't want to end up like these celebrity couples we see splashed on the pages of magazines.  Married today, out of love tomorrow. 

 And I know God can help me through those times when I feel close to the edge.  I also know that I can be better a wife.  There's always room for improvement on everything in life.  I plan to take good advantage of that as it pertains to my marriage.

~Freelancing/ YUMMommy:  Last year was my first year dabbling in freelancing and I loved it.  I was nervous at first, but now I'm ready to step my game up.  In the words of Drake, "There's money to be got.  And I'mma get that shit!"  Real talk there is money to be made using your God given talents. You just have come up with a plan to turn it into a profitable hustle and from there a profitable career.

With that said, I'm going to be working hard to improve and take YUMMommy to the next level.  I'm still researching host sites because I really want to become my own dot com.  So, I want to make sure that whatever route I take to get there will be the right fit.  I'm also working on trademarking the name and logo.  I've been toying with the idea of adding nonprofit to the mix but don't want to take on too much. 

So, for now I'll just be satisfied with March For Charity and working with other organizations.

This is going to be a wonderful year ladies and gentlemen!

Have you started your 2012 Vision Board?  What's on it?