Confession time: I have been complacent as hell all year!
I've been working on Thrift Core for 3-4 years, my income is stable and due to healthy lifestyle changes my expenses dropped. I work daily, but it's easier now; routine. I haven't grown and innovated like I should. My big wake-up call is the event occurring on October 16th, my 27th birthday!
I am crossing the threshold into my late twenties and it's a landmark year. Age is just a number and there's no deadline for accomplishing anything in life, I sincerely believe that. Yet there's a lot I must achieve before thirty. It's go-time, no more complacency! I'm putting my 26 Before 27 list out there to hold myself accountable and to inspire you to do the same. There's no better time to get started on avoiding your statistically likely fear of not being a success by working on being one RIGHT NOW:
1. Too negative lately. I will actively make a habit of replacing all negative thoughts with positive ones!
2. Get all of my personal life together ASAP! Everything organized, finish all non-work goals I neglect.
3. Stick to a ruthless daily work schedule and accomplish shit daily so I can have DAYS OFF! Yay! Miss those!
4. Do something fun on every day off, something new! Explore. Photos. Things!
5. Learn to Swim really well, eventually want to try to surf! I love the beach!
6. Work on my book every work day.
7. Contact at least 5 publishers. Let's get the rejection letters rolling!
8. Visit 10 New Places in my own City. (In my own neighborhood, even!)
9. Visit 10 New Places outside my City.
10. Complete 3 drawings a week, 36 total! Project 36 Drawings Starts NOW!
11. Get rid of 100 or more possessions. Too. Much. Crap!
12. Get 2 weeks ahead on blog content.
13. Increase blog content quality, try my hardest on every single post. Edit! Ruthlessly!
14. Revamped Antique Mall Booth to pimped Thrift Core perfection.
15. Start my Jacksonville, Florida thrifty Apartment and Home Tour Series.
16. Start my Thrift Core YouTube video series.
17. Start my own thrifty and thrifted apartment before/after series. Perhaps interior design jobs one day!
18. Go to at least one art show or gallery per week for a total of at LEAST 12! Back to art! I miss it!
19. Make 2 crafts/DIYS per week and document the process.
20. Attempt to collaborate with 10 people/businesses I wouldn't have thought to try. Outside the box!
21. Contact my long list of magazines I'd like to work with or publish something in. Life dream!
22. Finish my first eBook! (Starting a web biz, reselling, blogging, marketing, whole living...hmm!)
23. Take at least 50 photos for my Etsy photo art print page I want to start.
24. Scan 50 book pages for the Etsy book page I've been collecting on for years.
25. Get myself moving every single day, start the long daily walk and/or bike ride habit again!
26. Vacation. Even if it's a mini-one, go somewhere, take some extended time off.
And so I'm not just brow-beating myself, here's some accomplishments I've achieved by 26: Won a city-wide essay contest to earn my first PC, have made dozens of websites, self-taught myself HTML and graphic design in middle & high school, landed a pro writing job/marketing job at 21 with no college degree, published writer (ghost writing, but still!), transitioned from bad diet to raw veganism, survived several strict detoxes that previously seemed impossible, achieved profitable self-employment, have collaborated with VERY talented artists, have had art in galleries- shows- and purchased to display inside people's homes (!), established a brand/blog that reaches and inspires thousands globally- and viewers like YOU- THANK YOU for following along. I love that you're here.
What are your goals for the next 3 months? Don't be shy, share in the comments! What are your 26 goals for the next 3 months?! (12 weeks, 84 days!) By the way, would it help if I showed an update of these goals every Sunday and invited you to share your own? Life Goal Sundays!?
I am 28 on Oct 21! Found your blog last year when I was working at a thrift store and writing about it- thrifting is no longer a job but a guilty pleasure. I'm going to make myself a list of goals too... Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen! Do feel free to share it here if you'd like.
DeleteTime flies by so quickly,I think setting goals is very important. I wish I had done the same at your age. Had lots of thoughts on goals but just never wrote most them down, therefore never completed them. Writing your goals down, I truly believe holds each individual accountable for achieving those goals. Your right, it doesn't matter what age you are. There's no age limit for accomplishing anything in life. (I worked for a medical office where one of our 96 year old patients got a degree and graduated college.)You just have to do it. Even if you start out with just a few goals. You have a bright future ahead of you Vanessa. Wishing you the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words! Too true, writing them makes them real action steps. It was nerve wracking putting this all out here but I wanted to be real- and make myself accomplish the goals. Nothing like making it public to make yourself accountable.
DeleteOh, and I love the stories of older/elderly people graduating high school or college. Throughout our life we're going to continue to evolve and change, I don't plan to retire. Working keeps your mind sharp and if you're in the right field you'll never -want- to retire. Like my idol Dr. Suess or the legendary Picasso, gonna "make" until I die.
DeleteYes, she was a very intelligent woman who always came into the office with lots of stories about traveling. She would drive an hour and a half away just to go to school at the age of 96. Just goes to show if you're determined and set your mind to something "goals". You can accomplish anything.
DeleteYes indeed, always inspiring!
DeleteFinal note: Be kind to yourself if it turns out you can't do it all :)
ReplyDeleteNo! No Mercy! :D Thanks for the kind words Megan.
DeleteYou are so accomplished for being so young-- congrats!!! You can do all those things on your list :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement!
DeleteWell there you go, that's some hell of a list Van. I find you already strong in your conviction and enthusiasm that you'll no doubt achieve all this and more. But just remember too, that life throws us changes and challenges and through chasing goals we often change within ourself and reassess the meaning of some goals along the way some times.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to write a list for the next few months, but it's quite simple with my third baby due within weeks the plan is to survive happily with three kids four years old and under. If I can do that whilst working on my blog and business which are all coming together right now after all my work and efforts, I'll be pleased. With little ones my goals need to flexible to change with constant changes that happen with rapidly growing little people.
Thankfully I've just launched a mums in business feature on the blog to show and encourage other mums that it's possible to do it with patience and flexibility. All I know is I'll get there (where I'm going) because I have a key ingredient that just won't be squashed.........burning unbridled passion.
Always in awe of moms that accomplish so much, I can't wait to read your series. Those always show me I have nothing to complain about when all I have to support is my fruit/veggie habit and a tiny white cat.
DeleteYou're definitely right, for reaching big goals and being a solo-pruner, burning unbridled passion is a MUST to survive. I always tell people that's the first step to success!
Awesome list and motivating! I'm 30 Oct 3rd so I have a list of goals, too that I need to achieve. Some of them are like yours: publishing an ebook, getting work in magazines and visiting new places. I've been working on these and some more, I need more hours in the day! I think documenting your goals and telling us your progress is a great idea. Telling others about your goals is great for accountability. You've accomplished a lot already so I'm sure you can achieve all on your list; Goodluck!
ReplyDeleteThanks B, will definitely update with my progress every Sunday. We should find time for a writing/creativity day. It's easier to work on things when you have someone with you to hold you accountable. Trying to make these with as many people as possible!
DeleteThat's a great idea, definitely would love to do that...We should do that soon!
DeleteHell yes :D Let me know!
DeleteAs always you've inspired me. :) 45 on Oct 30th ... Big goal list, as well. Go kick some ass, Van!!!
ReplyDeleteHell yes, you too! :D
DeleteGreat list! I envy your ability to self reflect and set goals for yourself. I always get so distracted! Maybe I will make it a goal to make more goals! Lol! I know one of my goals is to break $1000 in booth sales and $1000 in ebay sales a month! It will take a lot of work and hustlin but I think it is feasible. Everyday she hustlin!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I envy your ability to self reflect and set goals for yourself. I always get so distracted! Maybe I will make it a goal to make more goals! Lol! I know one of my goals is to break $1000 in booth sales and $1000 in ebay sales a month! It will take a lot of work and hustlin but I think it is feasible. Everyday she hustlin!
ReplyDeleteHell yes! I've been reaching for the same with booth sales, it's true, that's some serious hustling and we'll be in-and-out of the antique mall more than usual, but it's very possible. Looking forward to the day we both hit those goals!
DeleteSpeeeaking of vintage interior design series, if you're game with you being a pro designer I'd love to photograph your home or write about your experiences/skills at the job? Or perhaps nosily point my camera around your home? Will e-mail you :)
DeleteCool! Sounds like fun! Email me!
DeleteSo I have been thinking about this and you should come to my house. I have some ideas for a blog post. I have a lot of vintage in my living room. Lets discuss!
DeleteWill do :) Sorry for the delay, gotta photograph and tag one million things! And work on this fo-evuuuh ! I knew you were living with a secret stash of glorious vintage.
DeleteGreat list! The home decor/ house tour stuff sounds awesome, can't wait to see that on your blog. It's always nice to write down some goals to push yourself and get outside your comfort zone. I'm still working on New Years resolution stuff but this seems like a great idea too.
ReplyDeleteBeen meaning to do that one for way too long, time to knock it out! I know some people nearby with amazing pads full of vintage goodness that MUST be seen! :)
DeleteI was just thinking I should make some goals to accomplish before Dec. 13(my 42nd birthday) when I read your post.The only short term goal I have right now is to get these kids back in school next month.I don't know if I can do 41 goals before 42 though,lol.
ReplyDeleteYeh, that's a bit ambitious :) Unless they're really small ones. Like remember to breath every day, drink water, haha!
DeleteGood for you for accomplishing so much already! I turn 28 on Nov. 5th and have had a mental list running in my head for awhile now. I really need to write it out so I can be reminded of my goals everyday. One of them was to quit my job and find something that I love doing. And I owe a big thanks to you for inspiring me. I considered opening a booth at an antique mall, but was really unsure of it until I discovered your blog a couple of weeks ago. Now I'll have my own booth starting August 1st, and I'm so excited! So thank you for being a source of inspiration!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my recent thrifting hauls! http://catheywithane.blogspot.com/2013/07/thrifting-haul.html
Love the gold owl and clock you found! Congratulations on making the first big step. Good luck and thanks for the kind words, it means a lot!
DeleteThe Big 3-1 is coming up, for some reason it feels more momentous than the Big 3-0! And I have two goals: 1) Get a new job and 2) Get the hell out of here!
ReplyDeleteI like your get rid of 100 things too and if I'm lucky enough to be moving (soon, pretty pleeeeezeee!), I think that goal would come in handy!
Good goals! I already have 46 items in the box so it won't be long until I hit the goal. I have a LOOOOT of stuff to donate. May end up donating/selling 300 personal possessions since I'm selling off my huge, beautiful manga collection that's just gathering dust. ;)
DeleteLady you are amazing! I'm a long time lurker and have never commented besides giveaways but I just wanted to say I really admire your moxie.
ReplyDeleteYour mission to be creatively self employed is a tough one and I never had the drive to peruse mine to any seriously professional level (I'm a musician in a touring band but we all have full time jobs, some are married with kids). We don't make an income per say but it's not something you do for money. It's for the love!
But your post has inspired me to make my own list. I've been dying to collaborate with other artists and play new styles. I also craft and am somewhat of a beauty junkie so my list of creative interests is long. I admit to not dedicating enough time to any of them!
So good luck on your journey! If there's anything I've learned about you from reading your blog it's that you have the determination and organizational skills to not only succeed but do it with thrifty style to boot!
Thanks for finally reaching out and telling me some of your story, Jenny! Dooo it, I'm in the same boat. I feel like I've neglected the other creative outlets, it's time to develop them again! Good luck to you too, I appreciate the kind words greatly!
DeleteThanks for baring your soul to us, Van. I know it's not easy to do, so kudos to you. A few of your goals have piqued my interest, esp the book publishing and the YouTube video series. Would love for you to expand on that in future posts :0) Looking at your long list of accomplishments thus far, you should be proud of yourself. So many people have goals and dreams, but never do anything to get themselves closer to accomplishing them. That is really an impressive resume you have there :0)
ReplyDeleteAs for me, one of my goals was to start my creativity blog, which I have finally done so :0) I am doing it organically and am using it to build my own personal brand, whatever that is; I'm still trying to figure it all out. My other goals include figuring out how to perfect a handmade product that I have been working on since last year. Once I have that figured out, I would like to test market it at some local craft shows and then launch it on Etsy. I would like to be able to ultimately make a full time living selling online (via eBay, Etsy, Amazon, etc) and maybe teach. Then there is my children's writing. I would love to write and publish a picture book, but that goal is on the back-burner for now, while I pursue my other dreams.
Anyway, those are just some of my more immediate goals and dreams off the top of my head. As you can see, I am not nearly as concrete with them as you are with yours!
Thanks for the encouragement! Need it, feeling the laziness creeping on when I have too much to do ;p I've been putting off doing a "thrifty" YouTube series for ages with videos whole living, thrifting, creativity, art, and living a frugal life. Need to get it on it. Want to write a book in a similar vein.
DeleteGood luck hitting your goals, sounds like you're doing good thus far!