My 2019 Resolutions
I used to think that making New Year’s Resolutions was a waste of time. And then I became an entrepreneur. Here’s the current list of businesses I’m trying to run:
Photography by LarJ (wedding & portrait photography)
LarJ Video Productions (wedding & event videography)
Grace Portrait Design (glamour & dance photography)
Momma LarJ (social media influence)
The Tide Family (Youtube)
Larianne & Roody (Facebook & blog)
LarJ Crochets (handmade crocheted goods)
Tide Fam Merch (clothing line)
Lavender & Wood (home & wedding decor)
Stamford Event Rentals (party rentals)
52 Scriptures (ministry)
I didn’t even know there were 11 businesses until I typed all of that up. THAT. IS. CRAZY.
So making resolutions is ABSOLUTELY important. in order for me to keep my sanity and in order to have good success, this year I resolve to do the following:
Get my life in order. I purchased a “Christian Planner” to help me get everything in order. I’m scheduling everything. There aren’t enough hours in the day for me to be lazy. I need to calculate how much mental space I have to work per day and then execute a good, weekly plan.
See to it that every business I’m running is worth it. All of them—except 52 Scriptures—are meant for profit (even if it’s just a little bit). But if it’s wasting my time, I’m either going to figure out how to make it more profitable or shut it down.
Stick to a to-do list. I tried this once, and the anxiety that came with it nearly killed me. So I stopped. But I need to punch the anxiety in the face and get over it. Time is of the essence, and I have customers and clients who need good service!
Outsource more. Last year I discovered that outsourcing a lot of my editing really helped me focus on what I love to do. It freed up some time for me to focus on myself, my family, and the other businesses.
Remember to take time for myself. I lost half of my hair last year. Literally. And you know why? I was too stressed out. Sometimes I just laid in bed and cried. I had a few mental breakdowns. Hmm… I wonder why? *rolls eyes* I refuse to let that happen to me again this year. When I’m feeling stressed, I will take a break. I will take care of my hair, my nails, my body… I will remember to eat breakfast and I will not skip lunch. I will continue to rent cute clothes and I will continue to splurge on pretty yarn. I will be happy this year.
Stop announcing things before they’re official. I get overly excited and tell people my plans. I’m learning to move in silence. It makes me less stressed because I no longer feel pressure from those who are watching and waiting. I can take my time with what I’m doing instead of trying to reach a publicized deadline.
Give myself realistic deadlines. My photo editor will finish in less than 2 weeks, but it will take me at least 2 business days to get the photos to the client. My youtube videos are supposed to be posted at 7 PM EST, but that time doesn’t work when I have to leave the house for the day. A hat only take 2 or 3 hours to make, but I can’t sit here and crochet for 3 hours straight. Pastor preached the sermon on Sunday afternoon. There’s no way I’ll be able to edit the video, write the blog and send the newsletter to the subscribers by Monday night. Get real, LarJ.
Keep an inventory instead of making a ton of custom orders. I want to feel happy every time I get a notification from Etsy. I need to figure out when I can shut down the shops for a couple months to work on crochet and hand lettering inventory.
Don’t slack off with the financial reports. I started doing these reports in November and they have completely changed my life (blog post and video coming soon). I don’t want to stop doing them.
I honestly have a few things that I could add to the list, but I don’t think that’s a good idea haha. What have you resolved to do this year?
