Sunset on New Year's Day on the river in Ballina. There were dolphins in the distance, too.
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2018 brings you all that you wish for.
How did you spend your New Year's Eve? I went for a skate early in the evening with some friends, and we had a BBQ at the skate park, which was lovely, then we rushed our dog to the vet at 10pm with vomiting, fever and lethargy. He was one sick and sorry little puppy! He stayed in overnight and most of the next day getting medication and fluids. While he was at the vet, Jake and I went to the beach, me armed with a book and Jake with a kite, to take our minds off him. We had a really lovely day, and when we went to collect the little terror at dinner time yesterday, he was in much better spirits. He's home on antibiotics now and almost back to his usual hyper-active self.
I've never been much of a New Year's Resolution-er?-ist? or one to follow through on goals, stick to budgets, and all that jazz that we associate with the 1st of January, but this year I'm making a real effort to be more organised in life and to really make the most of every day. I've just started my own business, with most of my (somewhat small, start-up) income coming from sub-contracting to other local midwives as an admin and second midwife for births, so the need to be organised is a bit more pressing this year. I need to do my own book keeping, and be in charge of my own work hours, continued professional development, expenses and pay my own tax. All while working towards becoming an endorsed midwife, so that I can take on a caseload of my own. This all takes a level of organisation that I am entirely unused to, so for the first time in my life, I'm setting goals, using a planner and I've even booked 5 weeks' consultations with a life coach to put me on the right track and keep me accountable!
In case you're interested, I bullet journalled my 2018 "Goals and Intentions", which I've copied out below (you don't want to see my scrawling, messy writing, or my poor attempt at BuJo doodles. Trust me.). Perhaps publishing them somewhere more visible will help keep me motivated.
2018 Goals and Intentions:
- Participate in the #moxiskatedaily2018 IG Challenge (skating every day and posting on instagram)
- Take up yoga classes
- Write in my reflective practice journal once a week
- Write more!
- Create good eating and cleaning habits
- Use less plastic
- Start my masters degree
- Get midwife immuniser certification
- Be patient - with Jake, with friends and family, with life and with work.
- Save some money
- Keep my car clean
- Read for pleasure - at least 20 books
- Get 2 days/week regular work (I currently have 1 regular day + births)
- Document my life - through video, blogging, journalling and photography.
- Reach scrim level at roller derby
My first day of the #moxiskatechallenge2018
I feel really happy and motivated moving into 2018, and am already working towards some of these goals - I have skated the past 2 days, enrolled into the immunisation course this morning and here I am, documenting my life. I'm really hoping seeing the life coach helps me to keep the motivation going over the next 5 weeks, and well into the future. I'm using my bullet journal at the moment to keep track of some of my goals, although I'm not really a big fan of the format. I've ordered a time planner from Kikki K to take over from the bullet journal, which I think will be much more my style and add structure to my planning, and I'm working on some custom printable pages to suit my needs both as a midwife and in my personal life. I'll share more on my planner when it arrives.
Me and my little family - Lou much more himself after his trip to the vet!
I've tried to keep a good balance between work goals and personal goals for the year, as well as setting goals of different sizes, and goals that link in together to help keep it all fun, achievable and keep a good work-life balance. I'm really hoping that the Moxi IG challenge and the yoga help me towards my goal of reaching scrimming level at derby by improving my agility, balance and fitness. Similarly, the immunisation course, masters degree and reflective practice journal all feed into helping me get 2 days a week consistent work, and becoming an endorsed midwife, and the journal, writing more and documenting my life all link in together.
Have you set any goals for 2018, or are you winging it and just taking what life has to offer? Any tips for a beginner business owner and novice organiser? I'd love to hear from you!