Hey friends! At the beginning of each month, I share in-depth look at my blogging and business goals for the month ahead. I find that crafting goals at the start of the month is a great way to align my work with the intentions that matter to me most. It’s also a way to keep me focused and dreaming big. Not to mention, sharing these goals for everyone to see makes me even more motivated to complete them. Today, I’m sharing how I did in July, as well as some big goals I’m striving toward this August.
Woooo! I’m feeling pumped on life right now, y’all. July was a pretty great month and now I’m looking forward to August and all of the changes it will bring. I announced recently that I won’t be taking on any new one-on-one clients, which produced a majority of my income each month. Instead, I’ll be working on creating more info products (eCourses, eBooks, etc) for my readers so that I can help more people at one time and build a stronger community-based business.
A lot of people have asked me if I’m scared about this transition, but the short answer is, “not really.” Maybe I should be more fearful about starting something new, but I have this sense of optimism that it will work out. If not right away, then one day. It’s the same kind of optimism I had when I initially quit my job as an English teacher to start my own business (with no money and a small audience). If you firmly believe things will work out, they usually do. Or at least, that’s what works for me. We’ll see. 🙂
Now, here’s how I did on last month’s goals and what I’m cookin’ up for August. Woo!
p.s. In last month’s “July Goals” post, I shared my website traffic for the month. Now, I’m going to be sharing those stats in my monthly income reports for a full post of data and analytics. Makes more sense, yeah?
How I did on my July goals:
July goals? Yeah, let’s not talk about those. I actually don’t think I accomplished a single one! Months like those can be tough, but I also know that the reason for my lack of achievement is because I’ve been transitioning my business to something new and working hard to make that happen. So, July? I hope we can still be friends, but now I’ve got eyes for August.
My Goals for August 2015:
1. Host a mini series on Periscope this week.
I started using Periscope a few weeks ago, but can already see what an amazing platform it is. If you’re unfamiliar, Periscope allows you to share live videos with your followers, who can comment on your video while you’re speaking. The possibilities are endless. You can record a demo of you creating something, like a recipe or DIY project. You can do a “talking head” type of video where you share tips or advice on a certain topic. You can do an informal hangout to get to know your readers. It has so many options and should be easy to cater to your niche. #heckyes.
Each weekday this week (around 10am-12pm), I’ll be doing a Periscope where I share specific, actionable tips about how to be found and attract your ideal readers and clients. If you can’t make it during that timeframe, then fret not my friend. Periscope stores videos for 24 hours, so you’ll have a full day to view each one. So far, I’ll be talking Pinterest strategies, SEO, collaboration, and setting yourself apart as a leader. It’s.going.to.be.awesome. To join in and watch the live videos, download Periscope and then make sure you’re following me (search for “thenectarcollective“). SO looking forward to chatting together this week, peeps.
1. Launch my new eCourse
Yup. I know I keep talking about it, but it’s actually almost DONE! I’m currently recording the video tutorials for the course and putting together the website. WOOO! If you want to be the first to learn about it (and get special intro pricing, hollaaa), then you can sign up for my mailing list right here.
2. Host my first webinar
A webinar is something I haven’t tried before, but it sounds SO fun. I love chatting with the TNC crew and a webinar feels like the perfect medium to make it happen.
A webinar is a live, online class that people can watch. It usually includes a Q&A component at the end (mine sure will!), so the attendees get a lot out of it. By the way, it’s going to be FREE, so you won’t even have to pay for this online class. WOO! I’m tentatively scheduling it for Saturday, August 15th. Mark your calendars. It’s going down, my friends. More info will be sent out to the TNC mailing list soon, so make sure you’re subscribed to find out the topic and how to register.
3. Take new photos/headshots for my website
This was one of my goals last month that never got completed. I did search for a photographer online, but it was hard to find someone with the right style. Any LA lifestyle photographers you love?
4. Host an “international” #NectarChat.
#NectarChat is my biweekly Twitter chat for bloggers and creative entrepreneurs. The only problem? The usual time we chat at (6pm PST) makes it really hard for my non-US peeps to join in. I’m currently working on a special “international” chat for everyone who isn’t able to join and I hope to do it once a month.
Question for my international friends: would you prefer to cover a topic that has already been covered in a previous #NectarChat (if so, what?!), or would you like to do something new? 🙂
5. Start implementing The Miracle Morning.
The Miracle Morning is a book that describes how to create a stellar morning routine that sets you up for success, productivity, and joy for the rest of your day. The author’s main point is that we typically flow through our lives without actively and intentionally setting out to cultivate the life that we want each day. That really resonated with me, since even though I’m running a business I enjoy, I often feel like I’m on autopilot, with aspirations that only exist as thoughts rather than actions.
Part of The Miracle Morning also includes waking up earlier, so I’m striving to wake up between 6:30-7:00am each day. If you’ve checked out my current morning routine, you’ll know that’s a little bit of a leap. *grin* The Miracle Morning has incredible reviews and testimonials (check them out on Amazon), so I’m very excited to try this out.
6. Work on my relationships more.
Lastly, I want to focus on building stronger relationships, with my friends, business peers, and boyfriend. It’s easy to forget about the people you care for most and assume they know their worth to you. I want to work on that, to make sure that they feel valued and cared for. I also want to put more of an emphasis on building friendships with others in my niche. I started doing this more in July, and it was awesome. 🙂
Love this! I need to establish my goals for August but one of mine is the same as yours – launch my first ecourse! Ahh! Can’t wait to see all the amazing things you do this month! 🙂 xo
Woohoo! We should totally skype sometime about the course launch process since we’re doing it at the same time!
Oh my gosh, yes! I would love that! I’ll shoot you an email 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing these tips, goals, and ideas. It’s so fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes of bloggers I admire. I’m so interested in the business side of blogging, I love being able to observe your process!
http://www.thewhatsinbewteen.com
Thank you Zoe! So glad you enjoyed this. I love getting a peek into people’s goals, too. 🙂
I’m with you on the building relationships goal. That’s my goal for August as well. I’m also working on building my gratitude muscle. Can’t wait to hear more about your course!
Ohh yes! Love that you’re working on building gratitude. That’s something I need to focus on more, too.
These are such great goals! I’m excited to see how your August comes about! I can’t wait for the webinar and your e-course launch! So fun! Also, I’m thinking I really need to try Periscope to see what all the hype is about! Thanks for sharing these, Melyssa! I always find joy in reading your blog!
You totally need to get on Periscope, Gina! You would love it. 🙂
I always love your behind-the-scenes posts. I have no doubt that you will be able to rock these goals! I’ve never heard of The Miracle Morning, nor have I ever checked out Periscope…so I think I’ll be checking those two things out. My goal for August is to really get on top of scheduling blog posts and social media!
Thank you Amanda! 🙂 And you should definitely check out The Miracle Morning and Periscope — they are honestly two things that I think anyone would love. 🙂
Ooh, I am SO excited for that Webinar, Melyssa!
And… it would be SUCH an honor to take your photo! I’d do it free of charge, because I’m young and don’t have much experience. You can check out my portfolio, if you’d like. Not sure if my style is what you’re looking for, but here’s the link anyways :): http://abby-ingwersen.format.com/portraits
Can’t wait to see all the lovely things you create this month. xx
Thank you Abby! So excited that YOUR excited for the webinar! I’m hoping to share more about it on Monday. 😀
And that is so kind of you to offer to take my photo! Your photos are gorgeous. I actually reached out to someone earlier this week, but I’ll let you know if that doesn’t work out. 🙂 Thank you for that super sweet offer, Abby.
Great set of goals for August Melyssa! I’ve been teetering on posting my July recap, because I feel I didn’t quite exceed my goals the way I wanted to. I posted my first recap last month for June, and it was good insight, so I think it will be helpful to do so or at least list the August goals like you did. Inspired by your transparency! ?
Thank you Tenns! I toootally know how it feels to not want to share your goal recap because you didn’t exceed your goals the way you wanted to. But I’m sure you didn’t meet those goals because you had other important things to take care of instead. Always happens, doesn’t it?
Also, loved getting to see you on Periscope just now! 🙂
Thanks so much for that encouragement Melyssa! I totally needed it, because I was really in my feelings a little bit about it. You’re right, July was a tough month for me across the board, so I wasn’t able to be as productive as I hoped to be. So true that this always happens when we have big plans, lol!
I was so happy to finally get back on Periscope and connect with everyone. Thanks so much again to popping in and supporting my scope! I’ll definitely be doing them more frequently going forward. Still getting used to and comfortable with the idea of broadcasting, but its so fun! 🙂
Some great goals Melyssa!!! and I’m so excited to see what e-books/e-courses you make for us :):) I also learn so much when I visit you. My goals for august is to get my Etsy store up and running for my all natural skincare products, Naked Skincare 🙂 and come up with some great ways to turn my blog into more of a profitable business 🙂
xx Amber
http://www.thenakedcollective.ca
Woohoo! That’s so awesome, Amber. And thank you for all of your support. ALL OF IT. It means so much to me. 🙂
So glad I came across your site. You’re such an inspiration. Looking forward to catching your Periscope mini series and webinars.
Thank you Christine! That is so kind of you to say and really means a lot to me. I have one last Periscope tomorrow for the mini-series — should be at about 11am PST. 🙂
Here’s to us both popping our webinar cherries this month! My first one is running tomorrow and I’m a bundle of nerves and excitement. Wish me luck!
Technically you’re already international. I join in #nectarchat from Australia!
As for the relationships, what a freaking awesome goal! I’d love to help with that if you’re looking for some tips & tricks to lean in more.
Woohooo Jess!! How did the webinar go? I wish I had read your comment earlier so I could cheer you on beforehand, but I’m sure it was awesome. 🙂
And for some reason I thought the timezone during #NectarChat was in the middle of the night in Australia! What time is it there for you?
Excited to chat next week, too! Woohoo!
Number 6 seems so hard! It so often happens that you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone. It’s awesome that you’re making an effort to make sure those relationships persevere!
So, so true, Santana. Definitely something I need to focus on more. 🙂
So many cool goals!
I’m looking forward especially to learn more about pinterest on periscope which is still some science for me hahaha
https://restlesscat.wordpress.com
haha! I think the Pinterest Periscope will be my favorite — it’s tomorrow at 11am. 🙂 I’ve also got something Pinterest-related that I’m sharing next week. I can’t wait!
Your goals are very inspiring! I think I am going to write some down for August now. One would definitely be getting up earlier!
Thank you! Writing down goals at the beginning of the month is a way to help me stay on track. Getting up earlier has mostly been unsuccessful so far. 😉 I used to keep my alarm clock in a separate room so that I’d have to get up, but recently I got cocky and put it on my nightstand. #badidea.
The Miracle Morning sounds awesome! I find that I am always way more productive when I wake by at least 7. I hope you achieve your goals this month! Power to you, friend!
Rachel
http://www.theblessingcollective.com/
Thank you Rachel! If you like waking up earlier (or even if you don’t), The Miracle Morning is totally up your alley. 🙂
Love your goals hun! Can’t wait to see your e-course come to life. I’m currently brainstorming a huge change for me which includes an e-course launching next year. EPPPP! Can’t wait to watch yours come to life 🙂
Sarah | More Than Adored
SO awesome, Sarah. Can’t wait to hear more about your change and e-course.
I love hearing about goals! And then hearing the wrap up at the end of the month is amazing 🙂 It’s also a great way to motivate the TNC community too!
I am so excited to see your new headshot whenever you take them! I’ll try to look around and see if I know of any great photographers in the LA-area. There’s plenty of awesome photographers unfortunately it’s harder to put a location on them! But I’ll be on the look out for you 🙂
The international Twitter chat sounds like such a great idea! It’s tough working with worldwide audiences, you can’t reach everyone in their ideal timezone :/
Creating a solid morning routine is key. I’d never heard of the The Miracle Morning but I’ll definitely check it out! Waking up earlier is always goal of mine lol, but still working on that one.
I absolutely agree with #6 and it’s something I’ve been working on personally too. I’m not sure why it took me so long to reach out more! Oh and creative friendships are amazing 🙂 We could all do better to improve our existing relationships.
Can’t wait for your Periscopes this week and to learn more about your ecourse! All exciting plans 🙂
Monica | monica-galvan.com
Monica, what an awesome comment! Thank you for all of your encouragement. I’m glad you dig these goals posts. 🙂 What are some of your goals for the month?
Also, thank you for sharing those photographers. Seriously, you’re awesome and I really appreciate that.
You’re welcome! 🙂
Have you seen Kate Miss’s portraits? She does some great head shots and is based in LA, I love her work: http://www.katemiss.com/
Thank you for sharing her! I’m so digging her aesthetic.
I hope you complete for August goals! Good luck with that ^^
xoxo
Foteini from My life as Foteini ♥ http://monsterfrogaki.blogspot.gr/
Thank you Foteini! 🙂
I’m looking forward to your Periscope series this week! (And you totally surprised me and pronounced my name correctly yesterday, that never happens, but I don’t know if you saw my comment telling you that it was correct. :D) Will there be a replay of the webinar? I have a wedding that day so I won’t be able to make it live. 🙁 Also, you can totally do the getting up earlier thing! I’ve been getting up around 9 until this past week I made a shift to 5:45 because I wanted to go jogging with my husband every morning before he leave for work at 6:30. Having that early morning time has completely refreshed my business and the way I approach it. You can totally do it! 🙂
YAY! I didn’t see your comment, but I’m glad I said it correctly. 🙂 I met someone once before who was named Stacia, so I’m glad it was the some pronunciation. 😀
And yes! I will almost definitely be sending a replay of the webinar. I’ll probably also be doing one the following week, too — we’ll see how the first one goes. 😉
That’s so awesome and very encouraging that you’ve been waking up so early! I think my problem is that I go to bed too late (12/1), so I need to make more of an effort to shift that to 10/11. I really want to start waking up around 6/630 — I feel like I’d be a morning person if I woke up for them. 😉
Yay! That makes me excited. I can’t wait to see what you talk about! 🙂
I totally believe you can start getting up earlier. I used to stay up super late, but after a couple days of getting up early my bedtime naturally moved up, too. It’s been the best transition!
Woohoo! Can’t wait for international nectar chat!
YAY! Excited that you’ll join in, Sarah.
I think you’ve finally convinced me to try out periscope. I wasn’t sold on it but it’s been getting so much good feedback lately that I’ll probably give it a go!
Woohoo! I think you’ll love it, Bri. There are lots of people on it doing awesome things.
I love The Miracle Morning – I wrote a whole post on it – and told all my friends to buy it. 🙂 It really helps having a morning routine.
That’s so awesome, Kimberly! You definitely seem like someone who would adopt TMM. Do you still follow it in the mornings?
Thank you for being so transparent about not completing your goals for July! I didn’t complete mine either & I was feeling soooo bad about it. But it was so encouraging seeing that someone that I look up to has months like those too!! Here’s to an awesome August 🙂
Grace, Faith, & Glitter
That makes me happy to hear, Lauren, especially because I was feeling guilty and slightly embarrassed when I realized I didn’t complete anything. Blah! But I guess it just goes to show that we all have those months, right? Cheers to August — we’ll make it awesome. 🙂
I’ve only just signed on to your blog, but I already love it – and your “about” blurb is spot on! My goals for August are smallish, but foundational: continue to use my planner to keep my household on track while working out plans for a small, well-curated, multi-platform shop. And learning about blogging, etc! Thank you for having, sharing, and pursuing your goals!
Thank you Pamela. That’s so sweet of you! I really appreciate the love. 🙂
And your shop sounds incredible. What types of things will you be selling?
🙂 Primarily my 2D artwork, but that has lead to so many other ideas! Just a smattering of items for multiple facets of life that are related in some way, probably seasonally. A shopable, brick-and-mortar lifestyle blog! An online presence as well, probably etsy. Thank you again for your amazing generosity!
Thanks for sharing your goals Melyssa. I love getting your personal posts just as much as your business or blog posts as well. I think that it’s great that you are taking the time to work on the relationships that are closest and most important to you. At the end of the day success is sweeter with those you love by your side.
Thank you Dija! I couldn’t agree more. <3
I have a good feeling for your career transition, Mel. Although it sounds risky to stop doing the work that has been the majority of your income. But, I believe you can be more successful by helping more people. I love taking E-courses and go to webinar. I can’t wait to see what you can achieve! Good luck!
Vanessa│Meili Journey
That’s so sweet of you, Vanessa. I totally agree. <3
i just found this blog! i can’t put my finger on it but i love it and I subscribed!
This move to making ebooks is awesome coz now we can all get a piece of your awesomenes…
Ha! I love that, Kangopie. Thank you for being here and for subscribing. And I’m glad you like this move to ecourses/ebooks. I think it will be awesome, too. 🙂
I’m based in London and happy to join for for any topic in #NectarChat! But yeah, 6pm PST is a bit tricky to make 😉 Am also striving for an earlier wake up call of 7am to make the most of the morning energies!
That’s awesome to hear! I’m looking forward to hosting one that’s better for my European pals. 🙂 And glad you like the idea of The Miracle Morning. I haven’t implemented it yet, but I can definitely see how it would be an incredible way to start the day.
I love these! Especially the last one. The description really resonated with me. This is part of my life that’s been on the back burner lately, so I should really try to fix that. Hopefully it goes well for both of us!
xo, Caitlin
And Possibly Dinosaurs
Thank you Caitlin. 🙂 I think relationships are really one of those things we tend to neglect from time to time. I hope we can both work on that this month. 🙂
I do a post on my monthly goals too, and I didn’t complete any for July either haha! Must just be something about July. Excited about your upcoming webinars and periscopes!
The Blissful Mind
haha! So interesting. Two other commenters also said they didn’t complete any of their July goals. I think July is just one of those months to relax and enjoy the sunshine. 😉
I’m based in Melbourne, Australia and would love to join in a #NectarChat! I have been catching up on your Periscopes too, and you have really inspired me to get started – video is scary! July seemed to fly by for me too without much getting done. I’m putting it down to winter gloominess, but I think I need to start sharing my goals too to be more accountable!
Woohoo! Would love to have you join in on #NectarChat, Phoebe. It really is a lot of fun. 🙂
I hope to see you on Periscope sometime soon! Thank you for watching mine — that’s so awesome of you. I was very, very nervous about doing them the first few times. Like, I’d see the “start broadcast” button and have to exit out of the app three times before mustering up the courage to do it. 😉 But now that I’ve done a few, they’re really, really fun and I feel so much more connected to the community. I also feel a whole lot less nervous, so I think it’s helping me grow as a person, which is awesome! Let me know what you think of it. 🙂
I’m going to look into The Miracle Morning, although, to be honest, when school starts I really don’t know if I can get up any earlier than I already do. 5:30 feels super early! 🙂 Good luck with your goals this month.
Oh wow, that is so early! I think you get a free pass. 😉 The author did mention that there is a “6 minute version” which actually sounded pretty good and also that you can do the full version (1 hour) at night if you already have to wake up super early. I feel like it might be something you’d enjoy. 🙂
Wow you’ve got some amazing goals Melyssa, can’t wait to see your new pics! I am so going to check out that Miracle Morning book, although I’m already up at 530 every day ha! Looking forward to seeing your course come out!
Thanks Marianne! And wow, 530! That’s so early to me haha, but my boyfriend wakes up around 5 for work. Bananas! Do you wake up that early because of work, too?
oops just saw your reply! yes i wake up that early for work because i try to avoid traffic and i can leave early to go pick up my son from daycare. but yeah, i was NOT born a morning person haha! I still stay up way too late every night. bleh
An international Twitter chat would help me so much!! The last time I tried to join in I was a whole 7 hours late, haha. All the best with your goals, Melyssa!
xx, Roxanne
http://www.themagicalcanopy.wordpress.com
hahah awww!! Well hopefully we can do one in a timezone that feels little more like home for you. 🙂
Yes to international Twitter chats!
Woohoo! Going to work on planning this ASAP. Seriously can’t wait. 🙂
The webinar. Can’t wait *-*
YAY! Me too, Marlon. Did you sign up for it? I announced it to the newsletter subscribers yesterday. If not, you can sign up here: https://melyssagriffin.com/webinar
Thanks for the link Mel. I sign up today, so I missed the announcement. Won’t miss the good anymore. Haha
Awesome! Looking forward to it. 🙂