Back in January, I set some goals for myself for the year. As we are now well into March, I thought it would be wise to look back at my goals and see what progress I’ve made so far. I figure this will help me to keep on track, and to be honest, I don’t remember all my specific goals. If I don’t check in now, I won’t be surprised when it’s January 2009 and I have to set the same goals again!
- Continue to make changes and choices that are healthier for me and the environment.
- I am going to make myself a set of canvas grocery bags, to cut down on plastic waste.
This one is still a work in progress. I posted my plans for making bags a couple weeks ago and shared a bunch of links to different grocery bag patterns, and then when I actually got to the store, I was overwhelmed by the price of canvas. So no bags yet, although I’ve found a source for affordable canvas online, but I’ve got the patterns and I’m getting closer to achieving this goal. Until then, you should see my amazing plastic bag collection. I never through those things away… they always get at least a second life.
- I am going to continue to try to clean my home with natural ingredients. If you haven’t already, I recommend that you pick up a copy of Michael De Jong’s Clean: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing. It’s a wonderful, affordable little book.
I’ve got gallons of vinegar (white and apple cider), borax, salt, and baking soda to clean with, and I usually have fresh lemons waiting. I’m still trying to use up the last of my purchased cleaning products, too. (I struggle with finding a balance between adopting new cleaning behaviors and frugality–I hate wasting things I already have!) I love how easily I can clean my stove-top with baking soda and lemon juice, and SciFi Man has a borax vinegar mixture that does a great job on our tub.
- I will try to use more recycled packaging when I ship my Etsy orders.
All my new envelopes are made with 100% recycled materials. It’s also pretty easy to recycle tissue paper. I have also re-used actual envelopes that are in good condition. And I have used Erin’s tip of covering old envelopes with scrapbook paper scraps, which looks quite pretty. I have used recycled packaging when sending out non-Etsy orders, too. I’ve gotten to the point where I feel frustrated when I don’t have a used envelope in my stash to re-use.
- Check out Broomhuggers great eco-friendly suggestions for 2008.
I guess this one wasn’t really a goal, but I’m still reading Broomhuggers and implementing their suggestions (or at least becoming a little wiser) when I can.
- I am going to make myself a set of canvas grocery bags, to cut down on plastic waste.
- Reach 100 Etsy sales.
As of today, I have sold 63 items on Etsy. Back in January, I had sold 32. That means I have sold in 3 months what took me 6 months to sell last year. If I continue at this pace, I should meet my goal by the end of the summer. I’m glad that it looks like I’ll have a little cushion, as I expect May to be particularly hectic, and I don’t know how much I will be able to add to my shop. - Develop a time management plan.
- I have never been particularly good at managing my time. I stay up too late and, consequently, get up too late. (Or get up early because I have to and spend the day exhausted.) I know this directly affects how much I am able to accomplish. I have a lot of personal and professional things I want to accomplish this year, and I already know I can’t do that if I continue to sally forth without a plan. So this year, I’m going to make a plan and follow it.
I started out the year going to bed at a regular, reasonable time. Something has happened, though, and I’ve drifted back to my old habit of staying up way too late and functioning less-than-optimally in the morning. More than the morning, really, my whole day feels different when I’m actually sufficiently rested. I’m back to step one on this one–I need to re-establish a reasonable sleep schedule. Once I’ve mastered that, I can work on scheduling the rest of my life.
- I have never been particularly good at managing my time. I stay up too late and, consequently, get up too late. (Or get up early because I have to and spend the day exhausted.) I know this directly affects how much I am able to accomplish. I have a lot of personal and professional things I want to accomplish this year, and I already know I can’t do that if I continue to sally forth without a plan. So this year, I’m going to make a plan and follow it.
- Finish outstanding 2007 projects before committing myself to new 2008 projects.
- KT’s bag.
- Sheetal’s bag.
- Grandpa’s quilt.
- Double wedding ring quilt.
- That school stuff I don’t like to think about.
Oh yeah, this goal. I sort of forgot about this one and went ahead and committed to more projects. I agreed to make a tote bag for my friend to carry her teaching materials in, to make a bag for another friend, and to make all the bridesmaids bags for my friend’s wedding in May. Plus that outstanding stuff. I will work hard on goal number three (which I think will help me to accomplish goal number four) and try to remember not to commit to more projects until I finish this list.
. It’s a wonderful, affordable little book.
So that’s where I stand on my 2008 goals three months in. I’ll check in with them again in June. How are you doing with your new year’s resolutions?
My only semi-resolution was to take photos every month, and be nicer to myself. I’m doing OK. :)
I’m not very goal oriented….I am, however, impressed with your list
These are all very reasonable goals and looks like you’re doing a great job in working them out. I have similar goals and now I’m wishing I had put it down in black and white like this. Checking things off and reviewing is a real motivator. I can see you’ve taken it to heart.
Very worthy goals! I need to work on the sleep schedule thing. I too stay up way too late, and then I am worthless in the morning. I think I will start tonight!
my favorite cleaning tips I gained from watching How Clean is Your House on BBC-America. They like to work with all natural products and after you watch the show you get motivated (err, sceeved) into cleaning.
My current goal is to write out goals :)
You have really great resolutions..This is a number 1 year in numerology, New Beginnings..I think you are on your way..
Incredible checklist of goals! I need to do this… may steal some of yours… :)
Great goals! Looks like you’re doing pretty well with them. I’m bad at writing down goals and keeping track of where I wrote them down at, so putting them on your blog is a great idea!
Thank your for sharing all of your goals! Caroline, I think your goals sound wonderful and I’m so glad you’re succeeding with them.
Checking things off has always been one of my favorite things, Cicado Studio, so I’m glad I wrote these down and came back to them, too. I’ve never really checked in on my goals before, and I think this is going to make a real difference in my ability to accomplish them.
And I’m so glad I wrote them in my blog… I feel a little more accountable knowing you all know what I’m trying to accomplish, and, it’s hard to lose a list you’ve blogged!
On the canvas bags thing…you can make very sturdy bags out of flannel or many other types of cloth (old curtain or upholstry fabric seems like it might work well). I made a couple of bags out of an old pair of flannel PJ pants, and I’ve been using them for six months or so with absolutely no problem. I french seam the bottom and sides to make sure the seam won’t suddenly split and leave me with a huge mess.