Well, happy new bloody year to ya! I hope you all stumbled into 2020 merry, bright and full of food with big exciting plans for the next decade of our lives. I think that’s the thing that’s REALLY messing with my brain – we’re in a new DECADE. Guess where I was when we last entered a new decade? Disneyland. My favourite place on Earth. So with that in mind, this decade is already down on the last.
I’m totally joking, the 2010’s might have started magically but they turned into an absolute nightmare. Although 2019 ended on a spectacular high, I’m so ready to put the last 10 years behind me and look forward to bigger and brighter things, with less fear and anxiety.
I said it last year and I’ll say it again this year: I don’t do New Years Resolutions anymore. I find them too overwhelming and unreachable and I think a lot of people feel the same. But you know me, I love a goal. Goals keep me striving for more and keep me on track. So although these goals are for the whole year, I’m not sticking them in a list with tick boxes.
I think the point of goals is to having something to work towards and something to keep us on the straight and narrow, so to speak. As long as I’m actively working forwards these throughout the year, I’ll consider it a job well done. My life got so busy towards the end of last year, a sign of what’s the come perhaps?
So I’ve categorized my goals into business, blogging and career and personal and well-being as those are the main areas of my life I’d like to move forward with. Here are my goals for 2020!
Blogging, business & career
Publish a book I’m proud of and a successful book release: This one is already halfway complete as in November last year, I signed a book contract to publish a book on mental health and well-being this September. Now I can say, I’M HAVING A BOOK PUBLISHED THIS YEAR. I’m working extremely hard and I hope I can have a successful book release and create a book that not only am I proud of but will also help other people. Pre-order here!
Improve my photography and grow my Instagram: I’ve never focused much on Instagram before because quite honestly, I despised taking photos. Even on my blog, you’ll have noticed I used a LOT of stock photos last year. And whilst there’s nothing wrong with that, I started experimenting with my photography style a bit back in September and found I was starting to enjoy it again! So I’d like to take that further and hit 2,000 Insta followers this year.
Consistently earn a full-time income from my blog / eBooks / business things: One of the proudest things I’ve managed to do this year is earn a consistently decent income from my blog each month. Of course some months are worse than others, that’s how it in freelancing but it’s steady and I’m so happy about that. I’m very close to earning a consistent full-time income from my blog and 2020 is the year for me to try and crack that!
Get invited on a press trip: In 2019 I was incredibly lucky to have been invited to Brooklands Hotel and Spa for a stay and also offered a free night at Pod Hollow in exchange for a review. These were 2 of my favourite places my boyfriend and I went in 2019 and it was a privilege and honor to be invited to them both. This year, I’d LOVE to be invited on a press trip somewhere and have the chance to work with a brand or tourism board on some travel content. Especially now my anxiety is better than ever and I’m keen to go out there and see things!
Get some professional photos taken: I suppose this one could be classed as both business and personal because although I’d be using them from a business point of view, it’s also a very personal goal as I’ve never been confident enough to do anything like that before. But I think it’s time to get some professional photos taken to use for my book and on my blog.
Personal & well-being
Go on holiday on my own: This has been a dream of mine for so long but due to how bad my anxiety has been over the last almost freaking DECADE, it’s not been doable. I feel like I’m in the position to maybe have a short trip away by myself. Not abroad but that’s okay. Perhaps somewhere like Norfolk or Great Yarmouth would be perfect.
Continue to push myself out of my comfort zone: I wrote a detailed post last year about comfort zones and how I’ve been pushing myself out of mine and 2020 is definitely the time to continue that. Although this isn’t easily measurable, I definitely want to experience more next year and continue pushing myself and making my world bigger.
Start driving properly again: My confidence to drive is something my anxiety ripped away from me quite dramatically over the last decade. And late last year, I started to get into driving again and regaining a level of confidence. My progress got a bit halted in December when I went for a routine eye test and was told my eye sight had got too bad to drive WITH my glasses (eek!) but now that’s sorted, I really want to knuckle down with driving.
Stop picking my bloody nails: This is a big one for me as it’s something I’ve NEVER been able to quit. I’ve picked my nails since I was a kid – I just love picking things. My nails are in the worst state of my life right now – I’d be embarrassed to even show you. So THIS IS THE YEAR I get nails back. Because literally, I don’t even have nail to paint right now. It’s just skin and finger.
Congratulations on your book publication! It’s such a wonderful feeling. 🙂
I’m not sure if you take specific questions often, but I have one, if you don’t mind taking a swing at it:
As the communications director at a small business, I will soon be in charge of writing and publishing the company blogfeed on our website. I’m still fairly new to blogging (six months in with my own storytelling blog), and I’m looking for tips on how to use blogging to leverage a business. Any thoughts?
I’d really appreciate it, thanks. 🙂
Hey, I don’t mind the questions at all. In terms of using blogging to leverage a business, it’s definitely all about promotion – particularly on social media. Being consistent and utilizing Pinterest!
I love it! I’m also trying to get out of my comfort zone and land a press trip!
Good luck!
You have done very well so far. I am loving your blog and as a new blogger I look up to you hoping one day I too will successd in this career and make regular income.
I have no doubt that you’ll make a full time income from your blog as you’ve been absolutely smashing it! X
Thanks so much babe x
Great post! I wish you good luck in achieving your goals:)
Thank you 😌
Work on that lower back issue as well. Have you ever considered yoga?
Yep, I’ve been doing yoga daily for around 4 years 😌
Ha, we have similar goals. I also want to grow my blog and stop chewing my dang nails! Good luck! I know you can get that income boost!
Thank you! Best of luck with your goals too! xxx
Great goals! I love the idea of getting professional photos done, and I’d love to do that too (though the thought of it fills me with dread). I think my main goal is really to get my blog as a source of income – not full-time yet, as it’s still very new, but more than I earned last year at least!
Oh it feels me with dread to. I hate the thought of having to stand in front of a camera for so long! And best of luck on your blogging journey too – at least you’re making noticeable progress! xxx
I still need to make a list of goals for this year. I didn’t do one last year xx
Sounds like a great 2019! I hope your 2020, and the next decade, holds many great things for you 😊
Thank you very much xxx
Good luck with all of your goals! Based on all you’ve achieved over the last year, it sounds as though you are well set up to have an amazing decade!
I have long since given up on trying to stop biting my nails – but I do find that painting them stops me to a certain extent because I don’t want to eat the nail polish! That might not work so well for picking though…
It doesn’t work for picking at ALL because then I just pick the nail varnish hahaha! So I’d spend my whole life picking nail varnish off my nails! Although I am on day 7 of no picking and going strong! x
Haha, congratulations for getting to day 7 of no picking! x
HUGE congratulations on your book – that really is incredible!
Erin || MakeErinOver
Thanks so much x
I have never set new year resolutions. I don’t think they work. My goals are to expand my blog and promote it more. I also want to find a career I love.
Resolutions rarely work, I agree. More achievable goals are much better! Best of luck with yours! x
Awesome goals, Jenny! I’m glad to read that your anxiety has become more manage throughout the years. You totally deserve to go on a brand trip. I can only imagine the amazing content you’d come up with!
Thank you so much
Awesome goals and congrats on publishing your book! That’s amazing 🙂 I can totally relate with you on the driving as I have the same issues. Good luck with 2020!
Thank you very much 😌
These are some great goals. I managed to stop ruining my nails some five years ago, but still fall back to the bad habit weirdly when I’m at the cinema o_O
I hope you have good luck with them all ❤️
That’s strange!
Hehe yeah. Such a weird trigger. Guess I just need extra large popcorn to keep me occupied 😋
Thanks for writing!
You didn’t ask for tips, but I have also had issues with picking and peeling and biting at my nails, also since childhood. I was actually able to grow my nails out for all of last year (sadly they did not make it through my final round of college finals in December, but barely touching them for almost a full year is still an accomplishment for me). It’s kind of a weird trick and it might not work for you, but how I stopped messing with mine is by not touching one pair of nails at a time. I started making my pinky nails off-limits (since they are the least satisfying for me to naw on) while biting at my other nails with regular fervor. After about a month, with my pinky nail growth to encourage me, I stopped biting the next pair of nails, then my middle nails, and so on. Maybe it will work for you!
You know what, I actually had that thought last year. Like February 2019! I started it but I gave up so quickly but it’s definitely a really good method! I’m actually just going cold turkey at the moment and setting myself a goal of not picking for the whole of January. Day 4 and going strong! x
Keep up the good work!
Good luck with all of your goals this year! I’m normally one to cheer for the business ones more but your personal ones really got me this year. You’ve come SO FAR recently and I’m loving your motivation to push forward and do things like solo travel and gaining confidence to drive again x
Sophie
Thank you so much, that’s such a lovely thing to say xxx
Congratulations on your book! That’s amazing. I love your photography goal. I got a new camera for my birthday so I have similar plans!
Thank you! Good luck with your new camera! x
I’ve got so many plans for this year, but my ultimate goal is to be healthy and happy!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
That’s a pretty good goal if I’m honest! x
Excellent goals! I’m a huge fan of keeping things broader than “I will exercise for an hour a day” or something or that sort – I always find bigger picture goals so much easier to keep on top of (not that any kind of change is easy per say!)
This year I have stuck with three big areas: Mental health (re-learning and re-engaging with activities that diminish my anxiety and stress), Physical Health (at least yoga every day, even just a little, and keeping on top of my overall diet in terms of eating more vegetables), and finally Creative Health (writing a little every day and working towards completing my first novel). Nothing uber specific but enough specificity to feel like I am chipping away at these goals bit by bit. Thanks for the great post!
I read your post on your goals. I’m big into Yoga so I can definitely vouch for how effective that is x
I’m excited to get back into it! I’ve still been doing it every day while pregnant but modifying a lot. So excited to take on Adriene’s HOME series after recovering from our little one’s birth!
Good luck with your goals, sweetheart! These are some fab goals – going on holiday on your own sounds like a fantastic idea. 🙂
Soph – https://girlvsworldblog.com x
Thank you! x
Intend and you shall conquer, only resolutions do not work and here is why https://sunniesmybunnies.wordpress.com/2020/01/03/resolutions-or-intentions/
All the best and have a fantastic 2020 🙂
Great goals! I’ve managed to set some myself for 2020, though no resolutions!
Misa |
Nope, no resolutions here either! x
Great list of goals to have for you personal and blog wise, hope you complete them in this coming year 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
Thank you very much!
I haven’t written out my goals for 2020 yet; I usually do on NYE/NYD. I’m looking forward to being more creatively aesthetic (does that make sense haha) & making my blog a place that I feel can inspire others. I’m so excited to see how you accomplish your goals 😉 You’ve got this Jenny!
P.S. Your photos in this are fabbb. I love that diary! Where’s it from? x
That makes total sense! And the diary is from Tesco – don’t think you have one in the US!
Oooh these are some fantastic goals!! And like you, I don’t set resolutions, I set goals. I find them easier to achieve and more manageable too. Less mystical than resolutions, haha. I’m so proud of you for the book you wrote and what success you’ve for freelancing! Like you, I want to up my photo game and use less stock photos. And I want to get out of my comfort zone- even if my comfort zone is both comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time! I hope you 2020 is amazing and you cross off each and every one of those goals!
Emily | https://www.thatweirdgirllife.com
Thank you so much! Hope you manage to get outside your comfort zone this year! By the sounds of your latest post, you already have! x
You’ve done so well with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone that I really do believe you’re going to smash all these goals – and then some! I cannot wait for your book to be released, I love your writing and this is such an amazing opportunity. I hope you’re as proud of yourself as I am of you!
Beth x Adventure & Anxiety
Thank you so much – you always leave the best comments <3
I like that you’ve split your goals into personal and business! Good luck with going on a holiday on your own that sounds really exciting!x
Thank you 🙂 I’m excited for that too! xxx
l would absolutely love to be invited on a press trip, maybe it’ll happen in 2020, who knows! I’m so looking forward to reading your book, I know already that it’s going to be an amazing read! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Keeping my fingers crossed that you are because you definitely deserve it! xxx
can’t wait to see you smash all your goals this year x
Thanks babe! xxx
Your opening couple paragraphs made me chuckle, and I love your mix of goals.
I know where you are at with your nails; I used to bite and pick mine until the ugliness of them just made me turn red. What I did was wear lace gloves to stop myself from being able to pick them. This year, I am actually proud of my hands, and I hope you get to experience the feeling soon!
Thank you! And I really hope I can experience that too. My nails are revolting… honestly. It’s such a bad addiction but I need to stop!
These are some fabulous goals, Jenny. I don’t know much about the last ten years but I feel like you’ve positively bloomed in the last half of 2019. I’m so proud of you (I hope that doesn’t sound patronising). I cannot wait to see what you achieve this year and I hope we get to meet at last too! Xxx
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Not patronizing at all! Thank you so much and yes we absolutely will! I’ll get my ass on a coach and get to Bath! xxx
I really enjoyed reading this post as I love setting myself goals at the beginning of each year. I can totally relate to what you said about the importance of having something to work towards – even if I don’t manage to achieve all of my goals by the end of the year, I take satisfaction in knowing I did my best!
I wanted to wish you good luck with yours and I genuinely hope they all come true for you soon. Having a book published is absolutely amazing and I’m sure this is just the beginning for you – Happy New Year, Jenny!
Dominika | Into the Bloom
Thanks so much! And yes that’s exactly it – knowing you’ve done your best is all we can hope for really! xx
Great goals Jenny! Definitely all reachable. I’m excited to hear how you get on. I too would love to go on a press trip somewhere close or far away. Jennie xx
Thank you! xxx
Some great goals for the year, I know you’ll achieve amazing things and I have no doubt that you’ll conquer these! I’m so excited for your book release and I know it’s going to do so well 💛 I also want to do some solo travel and learn to drive xx
Thanks so much! Hope you get to do both of those soon xxx
I totally agree about setting goals instead of resolutions – it feels like less pressure. You’re publishing a book this year? You’re living the dream! I wish you well with all your goals. Mine are basically the same as last year – move to London, get a job I’d enjoy, meet my dream woman and try to get fit. I bought 2 magazines today – one about beginners yoga and one about running – but then I bought a load of chocolate too! Baby steps 😂 Thanks for sharing! x
It’s all about balance! And thank you – yes in September! Madness! Totally agree what you said about goals not being as much pressure xxx
That’s a great set of goals Jenny, I’m sure you’ll be able to achieve them all. I’m also trying to grow on instagram and get some professional photos to use on my blog. Fingers crossed the 20s will be bette to you than the 10s. Happy new Year!
Eve | http://www.evemorganinteriors.com
Thanks so much xxx
Congrats on your book deal! Sounds like you’ve got some pretty exiting months ahead!
I want to get my driving license this year. The last time I drove was around 8 years ago and it sparked my first panic attack so I totally get the anxiety around driving.
Wishing you the best 2020!
Ashleigh | http://www.ashmosphere.com
Awh no, I hope you manage to build up your confidence again. I’ve had my driving license for around 9 years but when my anxiety started, that was it for me and driving. Take it slow, you’ll get there! xxx
Great goals. Sounds like you are well on your way to a great decade.
Thank you, I sure hope so xxx
Very achievable goals Jenny. I have absolutely no doubt they will be smashed this year.
2019 was a bloody good warm up, 2020 will Be YOUR year!
Thank you! I bloody hope it’ll be a banging year! xxx
Congratulations on having a book published this year! That’s is such a gigantic achievement 🙂 I’m hoping to dedicate 2020 to completing my first draft of a novel, but we’ll see.
I hope everything about this year goes really well for you 🙂
Best of luck! I’m sure you’ll manage it! xxx
Congrats on your awesome 2019! I can’t wait to see what you get up to in 2020. I think the sky is your limit x
Thank you – I hope so! xxx
These are all amazing goals! I’m with you on the resolutions – I find goals so much more effective and also a lot less pressure when it comes to the New Year. Good luck with your upcoming goals 🙂 x
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
Totally agree, thank you! xxx
I couldn’t agree with you more! I also refer to my resolutions as goals because Im much better with something structured to work towards.
It’s amazing that you’re generating a full time income from blogging, you work so hard at it, no one deserves it more!
Congrats on your publication offer, too! Here’s to 2020
Kate x
http://www.findingkate.co
Thanks so much Kate. Congrats to yours too! <3 xxx
This was such a great article to read! I decided to do goals instead of new years resolutions this year as well. Good luck to you as you achieve them all!
They’re much more managable 🙂 Thank you – you too! xxx
I love setting new intentions/goals. but the new year really is as good a time as any to get back into a routine.
I hope you have all of the successes in 2020, your goals sound similar to mine! x
It sure is – it’s more of a mental thing than anything else. And thank you – best of luck with yours! xxx
Happy New Year and good luck with your goals for the coming year! It sounds like you have an exciting year ahead as you’re lunching your own book! The driving thing is something I can totally relate to; I have to drive myself to work everyday and honestly it causes me so much anxiety! I’d love to be able to get in a car and drive and not feel anxious!
Sorry to hear you struggle with driving too! I hope it gets better for you xxx
Happy new year!! And good luck on all your goals for 2020!! Getting your book published is amazing!!
Karen| thekcomponent.com
Thank you so much! xxx
Happy New Year and good luck with all your goals for 2020! Getting a book published is a massive deal – well done!
Thank you so much! xxx
Happy new year – good luck with your goals x
Thank you x
I thught i was the only one who got severe anxiey while driving. I WAS about ready to try it again as in October the shrink hit on the perfect coctail for my Schizoaffective disorder then my stepdad went and had a major accdent. And even though no body was hurt that just made the anxiety go right back up.
Nope you’re definitely not the only one! I think anyone you care about having an accident is enough to shake your nerves xxx
Happy New Year!! I never set up resolutions either but goals. Somehow a lot more reachable and feasible. It looks like your plate is full of new exciting adventures and I look forward to follow your journey. Wishing you much success.
Thanks so much – definitely a full plate over here! xxx
Happy New Year Jenny! I think it’s so important to set yourself goals and these all sound brilliant. Good luck with everything in 2020, you did amazing last year! xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Thanks so much xxx
I’m the same haha if I make resolutions I’m setting myself up to fail. I aim for a goal instead.
I am terrible at picking my nails too, especially if I have nail varnish on. And it leaves them in a terrible condition and looking well nasty. Definitely need to work on that too.
Also that planner is gorgeous!
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk
It’s so difficult! I’m on day 3 of no picking and ALL I want to do is pick! The planner is from Tesco 🙂 xxx
Awesome goals, this is so inspiring! I love that you’re writing a book, congratulations on the contract!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Thanks so much! xxx
Congratulations on having your book published! Driving is also one of my goals in 2020 though it’s more about passing my test as well. Good Luck with all your goals and I hope 2020 treats you well.
Best of luck with your driving test! xxx
Great post. It’s essential we all have goals to give us some form of direction. And thank you for reminding me!
Thank you! And no problem!
Amazing post and omg congrats on having your book published, that’s really awesome!!!
Thanks so much! xxx
If determination is the key, you are already a winner, Jenny…
I sure hope so!
I have a couple of goals for 2020: publishing book 2 of the Curse of Time and a book of poetry/prose. Happy New Year to you Jenny. Wishing you much continued success and happiness in 2020. x
Thank you! Good luck with your goals! xxx
Fantastic post! I’m trying to do the same with setting realistic goals rather than huge resolutions I’ll never keep. This is the year I’m determined to make it manageable. Like you, I’m actually quite pleased to leave last decade behind because it was some pretty rough times but I’m in a much stronger place going into 2020. Good luck with all your goals – you’ve got some incredible things here and I hope they all come true for you very quickly! Happy new year!
Thank you – you should like you’re on the right track too! xxx