As per usual, it has taken me almost the full month of January to really analyze what I wanted this year to look like, and what I wanted to focus on for my overall goals. I don’t want to overthink it all, yet I don’t want to just haphazardly set goals, either. I want to be able to thoughtfully put to paper individual goals that all come together with my overall objective, and that can be broken down to monthly and weekly goals/tasks to actually result (hopefully) in achieving them. I didn’t purchase Lara Casey’s Powersheets this year, but just using them last year really helped lay the ground work for a more thought-provoking and meaningful way to go about goal-setting. So it’s finally time to share what is on my heart for 2015!

Last year was the first time I ever had a word and a specific verse for the year. I hadn’t sought it out, God just kind of gave it to me out of the blue, and yet I knew it was perfect. This year I wondered if I would have another one and, again, out of the blue He gave it to me. Both times, they’re not what I would choose….and they’re more challenging than I would care to take on in my own comfort. But at the same time, there’s something so powerful and comforting about knowing they’re from Him, and knowing He will be faithful to walk with me as He teaches me to focus on and take to heart what He has for me. I see how He did that last year, and I know He will do the same this year.

So, my word this year is sacrifice. If you cringed a little when you read that, then you know how I responded when I first heard it. Yikes. Of ALL the words. That might actually require something from me….something painful. But at the same time, there was such a comfort in it knowing that no matter what it will mean, and in what ways it will take shape in my life this year, it will all be for my good. Not for my punishment, not for my misery. For my good. Because God is for me, not against me. And even though change and sacrifice can be hard and painful, it is so rewarding to be ever-shaped more and more into who you’re meant to be. The verse that goes along with it is Hebrews 13:15-16: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

My prayer with this for 2015 is that I would view my time, my energy, my resources, my home, my business – all of it – as tools to be used to bless others. That I wouldn’t view them as mine, but as vessels for God to work through me, and change me along the way. I know that having a baby, if nothing else, will change how much of my time is my own, but that all of the sacrifices that will come along with it are forms of praising God….and they bring Him pleasure. How beautiful is that? So no matter what is asked of me, no matter what I might have to give up this year, I pray my heart will be always mindful that it’s worth it to bring praise the Lord.

PERSONAL GOALS

Overall objective: To embody and embrace this mindset of generosity and sacrifice in all that I seek to do this year, loving others well and giving of myself and my resources freely.

• Prepare my heart, home and lifestyle as much as possible for Baby’s arrival in June! Setting monthly/weekly goals along the way to practically work towards this.
• Work on setting aside my personal priorities to better and more consistently give attention to household areas that will serve and bless Aaron more specifically (we naturally prioritize different things based on our personalities).
• Eat healthy and stay active for the remainder of the pregnancy, and establish a realistic plan to prioritize this after Baby is born, as well.
• Continue to actively serve in church ministry.
• More intentionally reach out and invest in deepening relationships with other women/couples in our community group and church.
• Invest intentionally in the lives of younger girls as a mentor and encouragement, in whatever ways God would open doors.
• Develop a habit of more effective meal planning and cooking more consistently.
• Read at least 4 books.
• Establish a better budget with Aaron to increase savings potential.

BUSINESS GOALS

Overall Objective: Continue simplifying things as much as possible so that what gets my time and attention are the things I’m most passionate about and necessary for, as well as maintain a healthy work/life balance even as it shifts when Baby is born.

• Design and order new printed materials to go along with the new brand.
• Design and order my own bridal guide magazine.
• Restructure packages and pricing.
• Become a featured vendor on at least one prominent blog.
• Learn about and open an IRA.
• Establish a workflow for submitting weddings and shoots more often/consistently.
• Reach out to more vendors and get better with overall communication with them.
• Take steps to make dream shoot opportunities happen that I’ve been putting off, to shoot more of what excites and inspires me.
• Focus on “done is better than perfect” instead of letting myself get caught up in perfection at every turn.
• Above all, give myself grace as I learn the ropes of balancing my business and becoming a Mom.

These may not seem impressive or exciting to anyone else, but if I can make progress on these things, then I know this year will be a success. More than anything, I know that transitioning into parenthood is one of the greatest challenges AND most rewarding things I could ever hope to take on, and so if nothing else on this list gets checked off because that’s what I spend all of my time trying to figure out, that will be ok, too. My time is not my own, and for someone who loves to schedule and control things….that alone is a goal to try to truly understand and live out. I’m so excited for what this year will hold, and for the assurance that whatever it may be, God will equip me, one step at a time. (P.S. I really enjoy making and continuing to add to my 2015 Pinterest board, as well, if you care to follow along there!)

What are some of your goals for this year? I’d love to hear!