Growth in the New Year
What a whirlwind 2016 was. Part of me doesn't know how we got here. As I sit from my new office space in the loft of a tax & accounting office (hallelujah, I have people in my corner helping me with these things now) and reflect back on the past year, so much has changed. I resigned from a job that I loved to pursue photography full time. I wanted more time with my family and I wanted the opportunity to create the ideal career I had envisioned in my head. Through all the trials of the past year, the self doubt, the hard drive malfunctions, the sleepless nights (I have a 14 month old who still doesn't understand the value of a full night of sleep), I was able to sit back and reflect on where I came from and where I'm going, and it is all good. Today I made a list of goals for 2017. There are more personal goals than there are business goals, which was a pretty amazing thing for me to see.
Sure I have business goals.... But they are doable. Two of them are already checked off my list and it's only January... and I'm actively working toward checking of a few more within the next few months. Which is pretty awesome. I exceeded my booking goal this year. I get to head to Seattle in August for a wedding that will surely be nothing short of amazing. I honestly couldn't be more excited about.... anything. I have wanted to see the Pacific Northwest for as long as I can remember and this is basically a dream come true for me. I get emotional just thinking about it!
- book 25 weddings in 2018
- book one wedding per year out of state
- create a part time >> full time position for Megan
- become more efficient with editing
- build instagram
- completely overhaul my file management system/storage/backup
- be 100% to my clients; meet/exceed deadlines
My personal goals are what struck me...
- be more present with my children
- spend more time outside (all seasons)
- eat healthy (without being afraid to eat my clients wedding cake when time allows - haha!)
- exercise // get in shape
- travel more - see the US
- do a daily devotional
- less of 'me' and more for others
- limit social media/technology (non work related)
- show myself & others Grace
- be diligent about saving and budgeting
- clear out the clutter // simplify
These sound so simple right? But they are seriously the goals that are most important to me. More important than being a social media guru. More important than booking dream weddings across the US. Far more important than making 6 figures (this isn't a goal of mine at all, actually haha). I just want to enjoy the simple life. The funny part is, these goals are pretty similar to my personal goals from last year. Meaning, I didn't do so great at achieving these. Fortunately, I have the opportunity literally at my finger tips to do that, at the start of a new year. There is not a day that goes by that I don't consider what I'm able to do a blessing from God, and I am so, so grateful. It has brought me to my knees several times this year and it's bringing me to my knees now. I can use my gifts/talents to their fullest, not watered down by someone else's idea of how I should use them. So, thank you. If you're a past client, present client or future client, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. It's because of you and your belief in me that I get to not only provide for my family but have the opportunity to craft the life I want for them. And while I definitely don't have it all figured out, I learned a lot this past year. And I'm pretty excited for 2017!
Some inspiration for my personal goals.... my favorite files from my personal archives from 2016.
Nicole DuMond is a wedding and portrait photographer based in the rolling hills of Stillwater, Pennsylvania and serving the surrounding areas of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, including the Poconos, Lehigh Valley, and Philadelphia areas. Nicole is also available for limited travel along the East Coast & Worldwide.
View more weddings by Nicole DuMond: http://www.nicoledumondphotography.com/category/weddings/
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