This time last year, I wrote about how there was already too much changing in 2016 for me to make any resolutions, but 2017 is a little different. I’m now almost 7 months into a parenting journey that will last a lifetime, and thankfully, things have begun to settle down a little bit, leaving me a little time to start to focus on the things that I want to do (although, all in the efforts to make life better for our little family!).
I’ve really enjoyed building Little Pickle’s Mom, and now I feel it’s definitely time to begin to think a little bit more strategically about how I use this blog. The last few months have been a blur of nursing, baby naps and sleep deprivation so if I’ve managed to get a blog post written, I’ve considered that a victory even if it wasn’t particularly regularly or on a topic I really wanted to write about. Going forward, I want to have a (loose) schedule. I want to stick to the themes and topics that are important to me. I want to continue improving and practicing my photography, and I especially want to keep learning all the digital skills I’ve been building. Who knew I’d even WANT to know so much about SEO and social media?
A wise woman told me that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down, and I know I’ll be even MORE likely to achieve them if I share them publically. So here goes…
My 2017 Blogging Goals
- Achieve a Domain Authority of 30 (currently: 19)
- Reach a Social Following of 20,000 (currently: approx 3,100)
- Reach 10,000 page views a month (currently: approx 2,500)
- Post 100 blog posts over the course of the year (whoops, had to edit this as I’d originally mistyped and put 150! After only managing very sporadic posts since Pickle’s been born, I think three a week is a bit too optimistic!)
- Begin to earn a regular online income
- Write a LPM Made This post every fortnight
If you’re not a blogger, some of those goals might mean absolutely nothing to you but if you’re intrigued at all, I’d be MORE than happy to explain! I enjoy sharing what little knowledge I have. I genuinely think these are all achievable and have started to put plans in place to make sure I get there (or who knows? Even surpass them!).
Of course, there is more to me and my 2017 than just blogging and so I have a number of personal goals I’d also like to achieve this year.
My Personal Goals
- Do parkrun at least twice a month
- Read at least one book a month
- Cut the food shop down to £50 a week
- Have a date night with LPD once a month
With all my goals, I’ve tried to make them a bit more specific than just the generic ‘lose weight’ or ‘save money’ because I know I’d find arbitrary aims like that hard to action on a day to day basis but by breaking them down into what I need to do per month or per week, I feel like it’s a bit more immediate and there’s a sense or urgency to it.
I’m thinking about trying to reinstate my bullet journal that I started when I was pregnant but haven’t had the time to upkeep. I found the daily, weekly and monthly splitting up of tasks really helpful and it definitely kept me on track of all the things I wanted to achieve. But I definitely don’t have the time to make it look as pretty and beautiful as I did pre-motherhood! We’ll see… that might have to be something I keep on the backburner.
So, here goes. I’ve written my blogging goals. I’ve published them. Now to achieve them all!
What are your blogging goals or personal ones for 2017? And have you thought about the best way to work towards them?
Grant R
“Read at least one book a month”
“Have a date night once a month”
I’m stealing these for myself. They are worthy resolutions! The social media / blog resolutions are good too. I know it’s easy to get hung up on the numbers, but once you start to learn about SEO and suchlike, it can become addictive! Have a wonderful 2017!
Rachel
I think these are fab goals and it is good to have something to work towards, good luck with cutting that shop budget x
Natalia
This post is really inspiring. I think it would be a good practice for me to do a list of goals as well 🙂 thanks for sharing x
Lisa Backsnbumps
Some great goals to have and following our blog I’m sure they are something you will achieve by the end of the year. I keep meaning to write down my goals but am scared as going back to work next week and feel I need to get through that first.
Debbie Nicholas
Ooh they are some fab goals!! Good luck!!
RachelSwirl
Youve got this, you can do it girl! I love the stats, wish I was doing as well as you are x
Kara
Good luck with your goals – That is a big jump social media wise, I would break it down into smaller monthly targets to make it feel more achieveable as it can be disheartening if it doesn’t happen as quickly as you like
Donna
I loved reading this Holly. Your blogging goals are quite big but definitely achievable, after all, you have a whole year to get there. I’m always here if you need a hand with anything too.
The personal goals – and food shop – are definitely achievable too. We often spend around £50 a week and only more if we have treats 🙂 Happy New Year lovely x
Caroline Magovern
These are great goals and well done you for finding the time to sit and write them out. Your goals are very similar to mine….well the ones I have swirling around in my head anyways! One of my goals/resolutions is to comment more on blogs I like as that was the first thing to go out the window after Elsie was born and I think it’s so important to share the love xx
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I think that you should be able to hit the blogging targets or at least come close to them this year. Your blog is great and I can’t see any reason you wouldn’t manage to achieve most of them.
Emmie, Unsigned
You’ve inspired my next blog post so if you see any similarities, that’s why! Your goals are maybe the opposite of mine as I tried to be more vague this year to allow more room for movement and success ha!
I am also trying to learn more about this SEO stuff but it is not easy…
Emmie xo
Chloe Ciliberto
Brilliant goals! You can definitely achieve them all. It’s amazing how your social media just explodes when you consistently post, I think that one you’ll definitely have in the back. In terms of posts, you can do it! I used to struggle to post twice a week, now some weeks I post everyday. It’s amazing what you can do when you’re in the flow of writing. Good luck! x