15 Big and Little Goals for 2019
Getting inspired and motivated for the next 365 days (even if I *gulp* fail).
It’s that time of the year again where I sit down, get inspired and motivated, and write down my New Years Resolutions. I do it every year and history tells me I’ll go strong in January and February and slowly fade out from there on in, giving in to my natural instincts of laziness and contentment. Whoops.
For 2019, I’ve categorised my goals into The Big Goals and The Little Goals; the ones that’ll take all year long (and some) and the ones that’ll be less time consuming, less urgent and less difficult to achieve. In fact, I’ve already sat down to break down and map out my Big Goals, ensuring that they’re more attainable, or at least seem it.
It’s important to remember that if you don’t tick off any annual goals, it’s totally fine, but give them a really good go. If you fail, try again. If you fall off the bandwagon, jump back on. If it’s not working, change it up. And if worse comes to worse, readjust your goals and don’t wait for a New Year to pursue for them. Never ever beat yourself up for not making them work. We’re human.
The Big Goals
Buy our first renovation house. Like I said, it’s a really big one. After a very long process, Brad is almost a qualified builder, which is very exciting yet somewhat nerving. The building industry is cutthroat for a reason, but I know that Brad can succeed in anything he puts his mind to with his incredible determination, work ethic and intelligence. In my last blog post, I mentioned how I wanted to be more grounded this year and this will most certainly do that; it’s going to be our biggest project and investment ever.
Start a new business. Don’t ask me what it is, but it’s going to happen. As you may now know, we recently founded our first company, In the Wild Creative and I’m so excited to expand our offerings in the year to come. I’m more than ready for the next creative venture, but whether it’s in the form of a product or service, I have no idea. I’m an open book in this early stage and I look forward to continuing our brainstorming sessions.
Be active, eat clean and feel good. Truth bomb; I really abandoned this in 2018. The struggle was real between balancing travel life with a healthy, active routine and I can really feel it. Let 2019 be the year I finally smash this long term goal! If you have any tips or tricks, let me know in the comments below. I’ll forever be in your debt.
Decorate our home. With less travel on the cards (I say that now, but…) I really want to finish decorating our house, room by room. We moved in over three years ago and I don’t think Brad has stopped pleading with me to buy art work for our blank walls the entire time. I’m just so fussy! I’m determined this year though that in 365 days our home will be our very own private paradise, especially since we’ll be spending far more time here.
Get Lion in the Wild back to basics. I started this blog as a personal creative project to fill my weekends. Never did I ever predict it would become a business, let alone our primary source of income. Perhaps that’s exactly why it did though; because it grew on the back of genuine passion to create real content. And then somewhere along the way, perhaps even in 2018 to be specific, my work has become less real, less unique and less passionate. It’s almost too perfect, too editorial.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never strayed from honesty and authenticity with every outfit, every product review and every collaboration, but 2019 will be about more real-time content, more videos and Stories, more conversations, more content about products I love just ‘cause, more diary posts, more rawness and realness, more fun. Is it just me that’s ready for the revert back to blogging basics?
The Little Goals
Drive from Perth to Melbourne. Okay, okay, this isn’t a small one. It’s a very very long one (and long drive – 3407km to be exact). That’s why it’s at the top of my Little Goals list, but it’s more of a short term goal that will take a lot of planning. I’ve always wanted to make the drive over, taking my time along the way to see all the great Australian sights. Is there a more iconic Aussie drive than over the vast Nullarbor?
Buy a designer bag. I’d say I’m pretty good when it comes to personal finances. I rarely splurge (unless it’s on travel), especially on designer items when they equate to an overseas trip somewhere. This year though I’m determined to buy one investment piece I’ll use for the rest of my life, like my Acne Studios leather biker jacket and 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli bag. Convincing myself to actually do it is the tough part though. C’mon girl, treat yo’self!
Do a wardrobe clean-out. Overdue, very overdue. I’ve officially run out of room and it is overflowing into our other spaces, which really is not ideal. So, in the first quarter of the year, I’m going to sell my clothes and shoes and accessories, and my plan is to donate the proceeds to an amazing charity. Any recommendations?
Support Cotton On Foundation. Did you know that you can sponsor a child’s education through Cotton On Foundation? ‘Cause I didn’t. Well, that was until I went to South Africa last year and discovered the incredible work they do and, quite frankly, the massive difference they’ve already made. Needless to say, I felt incredibly inspired and want to do my part to contribute to empowering children in need with quality education.
Blog more. I love writing. I love being creative. I love this little blog. It feels like home to me. I want to contribute more to this corner of the Internet regularly, consistently and passionately. This goal is an extension of Big Goal #5: Back to Basics, and it doesn’t get back to the core more than LIONINTHEWILD.COM, that’s for sure.
Read more. I remember, before the time of Netflix and on-demand TV (kids these days will never understand what it’s like to rewind a tape for 30-minutes), reading books from start to finish within just a day or two. They were my life and I always felt so inspired by them. Knowledge, empathy, history, culture; just a few of the things I’ve gained from being a reader. So, this year I’m determined to read at least six books, one per two months. It may not seem like much, but it’s achievable and I’ll more than likely smash that number.
Weekly date night with Brad. Now that we’re working together, I truly believe it is vital that we make time to simply be a married couple, just Brad and Kiara. Every Friday night, we’re going to put away our phones and spend quality time together; whether that’s cooking dinner over a bottle of wine, ordering pizza and having a movie night in or going out to our favourite ramen* restaurant. *I’m now craving ramen. Again.
Write a journal. I did this a little bit in 2018 and, in my experience, is a form of therapy. It provides clarity and organises my busy mind, making each day a little less cluttered and a little more clear. It’s not just good for the soul, it’s good for business and everyday life.
Listen to podcasts. All sorts of podcasts, crime and thrillers, lifestyle, advice, creative, true stories, entrepreneurship, anything inspirational. Pretty please comment your favourites below! Chances are I’m missing out. #FOMO
Learn to be more productive. I bought Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People a year ago and it has been sitting on my shelf ever since. Oh, the shame. With such big aspirations for the year ahead, I think it’s time I dusted it off and learnt how to make the most of my time. It’s time to educate and test myself on how I work to my fullest capacity.