My quarter 2 goal check-in is here! 🎉🎉🎉

I have to say... what I sought out to do vs what I actually accomplished ended up being TOTALLY different. That's the beauty of goals and life though... you can change them and sometimes things not going to plan is the best gift. One of the biggest shifts being my business.

At the beginning of the year, I had mapped out working on a lot of internal projects and a few different offerings for this quarter but those quickly got pushed back because my business exploded 💥 In the best kind of way. I chat more about that in this post if you’re interested too. So things definitely shifted a lot but it also ended up being one of the biggest months of growth not only for Going Bold, but for my entire 6+ years as an entrepreneur. 😱 Yes really. It was a big quarter for me both professionally and personally! Here’s a peek at some of the highlights.

Going Bold Studio had a business explosion

Like I mentioned, things blew up over at Going Bold Studio! Huge thank you to everyone who has supported my biz in one way or another — it seriously means SO much! This quarter, I got to work with 17 of my dream clients this quarter, booked my services out 2 months in advance, and surpassed my quarterly income target by 28%

Won an Award for being a top Squarespace Web Design

Being named a top Squarespace designer was such a HUGE honor! All of the happy tears! I chat more about that over here too.

Hit 50 rides on the Peloton

Working on my fitness goals has been a priority this year and I’ve been putting in the work! So thankful for all of my friends who have them too who have been such great accountability partners as well!

Got Going Bold Studio up and running

I can’t even name how many things have gone into making this happen. Holy hell, it’s been a lot. Launching my new website, creating new proposal/social media reports/client templates, overhauling my onboarding and a whole lot of other things!

Made some moves on wedding planning

We set our wedding date, booked out venue and hired our photographer! So things are definitely moving on the wedding planning side of things!

Joined the century club on Peloton

I hit 100 rides on my Peloton and truthfully am so dang proud of myself for sticking with my workouts. Working out is not my favorite and to keep up with it during such an insanely busy quarter… proud of myself! 💪 I have a long ways to go on those goals but I’ve been keeping it consistent!

Made some money moves

This quarter, I hit my savings goal I made for the entire year — a whopping 6 months early and I also increased my investments!

Finished a business course

I’ve been dreaming up a new offering at my business for a while and signed up for a course and this quarter I finished it! Some very exciting things coming later this year or early 2022!

My theme of my yearly goals is to make bold moves that will set me up for the long term and I definitely didn’t waste any time getting down to business. It was a quarter of making a lot decisions and a lot of growth!

This quarter was a big one! One that had a lot of unexpected shifts and growth and I’m going into Q3 really dang proud of all of the progress I’ve made. It just goes to show how much can change in a month… in 3 months… and 6 months. Keep at it friends!

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Why do I do goal check-ins?

I started doing goal check-ins publically as a personal accountability challenge. Working on my goals and strategies to accomplish them have always been really important and by sharing them I felt an extra weight of commitment. Plus, I wanted a way to try and encourage others to have their own check-ins and keep working on their own goals. Helping others reach their dreams has always felt like my purpose and by being vulnerable and sharing the journey of my own I hope to inspire others as well.

Unpopular opinion... Not everyone should become a full-time business owner or entrepreneur. 

Now before you get it twisted, I’m not saying this because I don’t think everyone is cut out for it. Not at all!🙅🏼‍♀️ I’m saying there’s a lot more that should go into that decision than just hating your 9 to 5.

Every year around this time, there’s a big push by a well-known life/business coach and his cohort for living your “best life” and a lot of the conversation is about starting a business. Which, I’m a business owner and 100% support others doing the same to chase their dreams! Here’s the thing though. Being an entrepreneur has been hyper glamorized in the media and by business/life coaches when in fact it’s not always the best fit for everyone.

You’re sold on the idea of finally having freedom from your corporate job, having unlimited earning potential, being your own boss, working whatever hours you want, and making money while you’re sleeping. You’ve seen the pitches! The part you’re not always seeing though is there’s a tradeoff.

As an entrepreneur, some days you’ll be working 9 to 9 (and weekends), have inconsistent paychecks, and it can add more hoops to jump through to secure financing for big purchases like a house or car. When you say goodbye to that corporate job you’ll also likely be saying goodbye to those corporate health benefits, matching 401k contributions and PTO.

Again, this isn’t about crapping on being an entrepreneur…. it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and there are certainly solutions for some of the tradeoffs. Instead, this is more of a reality check. A reality check that it is NOT the right decision for everyone and that is okay! We ALL have different visions for our lives and that should ultimately be the deciding factor for the path you decide to take. 

For some that may mean never starting a business! A totally okay way to live your best life.

For some that may mean you start a side-hustle that stays a side-hustle. A totally okay way to live your best life.

For some that may mean starting a side-hustle with the hopes of making it your full-time hustle. A totally okay way to live your best life.

And for some that may mean quitting their job and jumping head-first into being a full-time entrepreneur from day one. Also, a totally okay way to live your best life.

The point is, there isn’t one way to live your “dream life” and have your “dream career”. As a business owner this messaging is probably more amplified in the circles I’m a part of on social media. I just hate that it can make people feel like they are less than. Like they need to be doing more in their careers, their lives, or in their businesses to meet the marketing pitches being thrown at them.

I’ve always strived to give a really transparent look at my journey as a business owner both here and on the Going Bold Studio blog, so this is something I wanted to speak up about! Especially because I know a bunch of people who have been in a career transition with all of the changes we’ve been throw over the last year+. 

So in closing, here is my advice to you… Stay true to your journey, your goals, and make decisions because YOU want to make them and not just because someone else says it’s what you should want.💖

Feeling a little 🤪going into the second week of working from home?! .

First, I 100% know we are apart of the lucky ones who CAN work from home and I'm def not making light of that. I know wayyy too many people on the frontlines who don't have that option. But I also know that this isn't the norm for a lot of you and it hasn't been easy based on all of my friends BLOWING me up on the topic... So I thought I'd share some of the things that have helped me the most over the last 4+ years! Because this IS my life all the time. Well, the working from home part...

Get your Booty Showered & Dressed Each Day

Get your booty up, showered and dressed in the morning. Better yet if you start your morning with a workout to get your blood pumping! Yes, working in your pjs or sweats every day sounds appealing but getting dressed will put you in a work mindset. Trust me!

Keep Your Space Cleaned Up

Clean up your space! Your home is now also your office and having a clean space will help you have a clear mind. You'll be less likely to get distracted by the dishes in the sink.. the pile of mail you need to go through... and whatever else while you're working if your space is cleaned up! I make a point to clean up my office at the end of each workday so it's fresh and ready for me each morning.

Have a Dedicated Workspace

The next one goes hand-in-hand with the last, have a dedicated workspace. It doesn't matter if that's an actual office in your house, desk or your couch... whatever you pick though, that's your spot for when you're working so you can get in the zone. I have an office... so once I leave my office in the evenings I close up shop on work for the day. If you can, try and do the same with your space.

Stick to a Schedule

Try and stick to a schedule. This includes your work hours but also breaks. I have a Fitbit that makes me get up every hour but make sure you're getting up and moving a little. If you have calls, I also recommend walking around while you're on the phone too if you don't have to be tied to your computer.

Stay Hydrated

Maybe it's just me... but when I worked in an office I was SO much better about drinking water. When you start your day, fill up a glass of water and make sure you drink it throughout the day (plus repeat a few more times!). Our brains always work better when we're hydrated!

Use Headphones

Use headphones for calls/video conferences if you can. I just use the ones that came with my iPhone but it makes it so much easier when your hands are free + the sound quality for conferences is wayyy better than just talking into your computer.

Time Block or Use Timers

Try time blocking or using a timer for tasks. If you're easily distracted, planning your day can help you stay on task. You can either break your hours into what you'll be doing during that time or set a timer for an hour or so and see how much you get done in that time. I find when I have a "deadline" even if self-imposed I stay focused and on-task better.

Shutdown your Computer at the end of the Day

Actually shutdown your computer in the evenings! When your work + home life blurs into one space it can be easier to work late. Which sure, some days will call for that but if you can, try and actually shut your computer down at the end of the day.

Clearly I could go on and on about these! Have any others to add or need more ideas? Let me know!