Goals for 2013

It's not too late to think about goals, right? I know we're well into the second week of January, but I feel like it's still within an acceptable time frame for 2013 goal setting. Of course, you're welcome to set goals at any time of the year, but January just has that feeling about it- where you want to wipe everything clean, and you're feeling motivated to do something. I've put some thought into some things I'd like to achieve in 2013- some little, some big. I hesitate to call them resolutions, as resolutions feels almost negative to me- in that they're almost always lofty, difficult to obtain (if not near on impossible), and setting yourself up for failure. Instead, I'm setting some goals that I know are obtainable, although some require hard work along with that. That said, here are my current goals for 2013.

Finish my current WIPs- before starting a new project in the same category

I think every seamstress/sewer/crafter is guilty of having multiple projects on the go at one time, right? I have three works in progress right now (at least, three I intend to finish- there's one more that I've given up on, I just have to decide how to salvage the fabric)- one is a sewing project, the other two are embroidery projects (probably because I tend to finish sewing projects in a shorter time frame). My goal is simple- don't begin a new sewing or embroidery project without finishing the current ones. I'm not going to force myself to complete all three before starting any new projects- I generally find sewing and embroidery to be very different processes, so if I'm in the mood for one, I don't want to force myself into the other.

Publish two sewing patterns

This is a big one. I've long had an ambition to publish sewing patterns, as most of the sewing I do is from my own patterns, and I'd like to share those patterns with others, so everyone can have a go at making them too! It's likely these will be either home decor, bags, or possibly quilting (or a combination of these), and almost certainly digital patterns distributed online. That's all I'll say about that, for now!

Build up a modest portfolio of head shots and portraits

I know from having shot my calendar in 2011, along with the casual photography I've dabbled in, that portraits are one of my favourite things to photograph. I've started building up a portfolio of head shots (the pictures actors use for audition applications and programs), with the idea of potentially expanding that into a business opportunity later in the year. I'm not interested in shooting weddings (just thinking about the pressure makes my heart rate sky rocket!), but I would like to challenge myself and see where I can take my photography.

Take a photo a day

I'm completing a 365 challenge (doing something, in this case taking a photo, every day for a year)- this goal is really about getting me into the habit of capturing the things around me. I started off the year just snapping anything that grabbed my attention, with little thought to the quality of the picture (I realise, completely at odds with the above goal!), but I hope to work on this as time goes on, and look more for opportunities with beautiful light and interesting composition than snapping out of convenience. I have no doubt that I'll miss the odd day (or resorting to taking pictures of the light shining through the blinds as I lay in bed about to go to sleep!), but I'll do the best I can. This is a camera phone challenge- I recently bought a new-to-me iPhone, and it's picture quality is much better than my old phone- but that's reliant on me putting in the effort to achieve great shots. I'm posting these to Instagram with the hashtag #365- come join me! I'll blog my pictures each month, so you can keep up to date here if you're not on Instagram.

Don't drink instant coffee at work!

My last goal this year is an easy, but no less important, one- don't drink instant coffee at work! There's really no need for it- we have fresh coffee to make up cafetieres ready to go, there's no grinding involved, and it tastes a whole lot better. It takes a little longer than making instant coffee, but if I was a regular tea drinker it would take as long, so I just shouldn't be so lazy! The pay off makes it totally worth it!

What goals are you working on for the new year?