2016 Goals Accomplished + 2017 Goal Setting!

2016 Goals Accomplished:

Travel
Cruised MSC Cruise Line for the first time in May
Had couples facials at the cruise spa
Went paddle-boarding for the first time (& most likely the last time because I was so scared that a shark was going to pop out of the water, so I didn't really enjoy it)
Went on a catamaran with free flowing margaritas/beer
Went to the beach 2-3 times
Visited St. Augustine again
Visited Disney Springs- went on the hot air balloon ride

House Stuff
Bought new weed trimmer, pressure washer for the home
Ordered Surround speakers & installed in ceiling
Bought + installed butcher block in laundry room
Ordered new woven blinds online & put up in bedroom
Had concrete poured on both well-house and garage
Hubby designed new retaining wall with flowerbed by garage entrance
Cleaned out garage- can actually fit 2 cars now! Made $1K + selling things & + donated to Goodwill
Finished painting exterior rafters
Finished painting exterior hardi-siding + trim
Worked on Landscaping- planted crepe myrtle trees, fruit trees, trimmed around all trees, put down pine-straw around flowerbeds
Hubby installed hood vent in kitchen
Put up interior window trim & painted
Painted 5 interior doors
Bought new furniture- coffee table, buffet table, TV stand, European clock, bedroom mirror, living room mirror, 2 living room end tables
Made over IKEA bedroom stands with new pull handles
Purchased new pillows for living room & new dinnerware
Cleaned out my closet & got rid of lots of jewelry, shoes and clothing since I work from home Consigned & made over $200 this year

Business
Published 3 books on Amazon
Started a new Book Club on Facebook
Collaborated on a live Facebook Marathon for a top business leader
Applied for some new virtual work & submitted 2 video interviews (got out of my comfort zone creating videos of myself!!)
Learned how to design a Square Space Website from scratch
Created styled stock photography & opened a store on Creative Market
Created a free opt-in & grew mailing list
Grew FB Business page
Re-branded entire business
Began writing 2 more books- hope to finish in 2017
Updated my LinkedIn + Resume
Learned much more about social media scheduling, accounting systems & lots of other geeky stuff!

Blog
Had a blog makeover!
Grew my FB Blog Page
Designed new email banner for blog inquiries

Health
Discovered Bullet-Proof Coffee + Golden milk
Eliminated soy, gluten, dairy, eggs, stevia & any organic products with sneaky additives

Spiritual
Learned to trust God even more
Prayed over my anxiety and God delivered me of it!  I now hand over all of my problems to God and don't worry about them anymore!

Self Improvement
Set better boundaries with people
Eliminated more negative people out of my life/personal space

Miscellaneous
Purchased Amazon Prime
Costco Card Renewal
Found a new organic market- Lucky's Market! My new favorite store!
Purchased newer car/better on gas
Sold Suburban
Sold Lake Lot + buyer agreed to pay 2016 taxes! (prayed over this & God blessed!)
Visited Aldi's for the first time and actually liked it! (our closest one is in Jacksonville)
Bought a replacement Keurig + Kcups
Helped Brother on his new house + made some extra money
Won an amazing $50 Gluten Free Giveaway package from Canyon Bakehouse

2017 Goals:
Finish up house projects (well-house, kitchen back-splash, trim, fire-pit, stain concrete, garage walls, a/c cover, landscaping)
Travel more, work less! (Use up free plane tickets)
Enjoy weekends more doing local things
Keep praying about my business vs working for another company
Goal Weight/Tone up
Grow nails
Have professional photos done

I was so busy this year as you can see! I really just want to slow things down next year and enjoy life more. I'm so done with being busy all of the time and I just want to enjoy our new home and have more travel and adventure.

What did you get accomplished this year?

Is it too early for Christmas??

Happy Monday y'all!! Don't judge, but I decorated the house in Christmas decor this weekend & wrapped a few Christmas gifts. I LOVE Christmas!!

Personally, for me, the weekend was insanely productive!

House:
>> Cleaned out the garage- now we can park the car inside!
>> Cleaned the yards (trimming trees, throwing out old flower pots)
>> Raked Pine-straw & spread in flower bed
>> Sifted through dirt & moved so that we can get ready to plant remaining crepe myrtle trees
>> Emptied the trash
>> Went to Lowe's to get samples for retaining wall & Publix to pick up some groceries
>> Washed shower curtain
>> Cleaned off deck

Miscellaneous:
>> Gave hubby a haircut
>> Washed & vacuumed the car
>> Burned some old boards
>> Wrapped a few Christmas gifts
>> Unboxed Christmas items & decorated the house. I love Christmas!
>> Ordered a cute jacket (my Christmas gift from the hubby)

Business:
>> Created some new social media graphics for my blog/business
>> Sent invites via FB Business pages to increase growth
>> Sent invoices to clients
>> Responded to inquiry for graphic design work
>> Completed a video interview for a virtual job that I applied for (talk about out of my comfort zone- but I'm so proud of myself for doing it!!)

I still can't believe it's November! I will be back with 2016 Goals accomplished + my 2017 Goals next blog post. I love looking back on everything that I have accomplished- my favorite time of year!

Have you planned your 2017 Goals yet?

My Book is Discounted for this week only!

See some of the reviews about my book and see for yourself!

 5.0 out of 5 stars

TAKE THAT FIRST STEP

By Sharné_Admin on March 2, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

WHERE DO I START???

Well isn't that the very question every person asks themselves when they want to pursue something new 

and out of their comfort zone. However, Melinda Pollard has been very kind to lend a hand to all "starting-up" VAs 

in this amazing, honest and insightful manual on how to take your first step or steps...

When I came across this book, even at first glance, I was impressed and couldn't wait to get my teeth sunk into it 

(like a delicious cupcake). When I finally sat down and started reading it, it felt like Melinda was right there on the 

couch, holding a cup of tea and just handing over all of this wisdom and knowledge that she had discovered. 

That is how easy it was... She has a way of explaining intricate details, in the simplest words so that everyone

can understand and implement it into their lives. The honesty in this book truly represents the person who 

wrote it and that she only wants to help and develop others in their pursuit of a career as a VA.

I would seriously recommend this book as a starting point for any person considering becoming a VA. I can 

guarantee you now, it will save you time, help you start "doing" instead procrastinating and coming up with 

excuses. Go ahead, TAKE THAT FIRST STEP...

5.0 out of 5 starsIt was so refreshing having my feelings validated and a little whisper in my ear saying "There is a better way to live

By Amazon Customer on April 20, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

As I was reading through Melinda's guide I kept finding myself feeling as if this guide was written specifically 

for me. I was able to fully relate to her personal story and she hit on every pressure point I am currently finding 

myself experiencing and even used some of the same phrases I have been finding myself using more and more

during the day. It was so refreshing having my feelings validated and a little whisper in my ear saying "There is a 

better way to live."

I have been doing a lot of research, and have joined several groups, to learn more about virtual assisting and 

how/where to even begin. In the depths of my digging I was finding myself very overwhelmed - to say the least. 

Melinda's guide laid it all out so logically and informatively that you end feeling empowered, not left with the feeling

that you were just attacked by a fire hose.

She touches not only on the top questions people have such as; where do I find clients?! but also questions you 

don't think of right away such as the legalities of beginning your own business.

Hands down, best guide I have read thus far on this topic. Thank you, Melinda, for putting this together and 

helping shine the light for the rest of us who are trying to find the right path forward.