It’s that time of the year again. And honestly, I can’t believe it.
This morning I woke up and I thought it was going to be a normal day. I thought that it was actually going to be a great day!
I had a plan on what I had to accomplish and I was ready to create so much content for you guys.
And then it hit me that I had to pay my bills.
So I spent a half hour figuring out my finances.
A few months ago, I took the plunge and made the decision to become a freelancer. And when I signed up for it, I thought that I would have a client for 6+ months. Because that’s what they promised me.
And then they backed out.
They said that they had to freeze all their additional spending and part of that was me. So I lost my first freelance job just as soon as it began.
Ever since then, I’ve been doing random freelance jobs here and there. And I’ve made a little money. But not enough to keep me afloat. Not this time of year at least.
And while I was trying to figure out where all of my money had to go this month, I just wanted to cry. I so desperately wanted to cry.
But I didn’t. Nothing came out. Because I wouldn’t let myself.
I decided to take that leap of faith and trust the Universe that my business would be successful. And along the way, I let so many other people try to determine my path for me.
I let other people try to define what I was doing. What I wanted to do. I had people try to “help” me. But it ended up hurting me more.
I’ve had to say no to family members, friends, and you guys. And I’ve said “no” a lot.
Because I need to.
I need to slow down. I need to follow my path. Because if I don’t pave the road for me, someone else will. And they’ve already tried.
So here’s to 2018.
The year I plan on making over 100k. The year I’m going to make over 100k from MY business.
There is a lot that you don’t know about me. And that’s probably not surprising.
When you try to create your success online, you get to determine what you share with the world. And really I don’t share that much of my personal life.
I just talk about business and personal development. But you would never know what’s really going on with my family and friends around me. Because to a point, I still want a personal life.
But one of my intentions for 2018 is to get comfortable being uncomfortable, so here I go.
The thing is, I grew up in a household where we didn’t have that much money. My mom never made us worry that we wouldn’t have a place to stay or clothing on our backs, but we knew. We knew that times sometimes got tough. And that we didn’t have as much as other kids.
But that never bothered me! Not once. Honestly, I’m thankful for the way I grew up.
My parents split when I was in 4th/5th grade.
And for a few years, I only remember the bad times. I remember when my dad stayed with the neighbors and then in hotel rooms. I remember my 2 siblings, my mom, our dog, and I spent some time at my grandparent’s house while we were in between homes.
I remember my mom buying a house for us after the split in December of 2005. It previously belonged to a hoarder and was crazy cheap because the place was a dump.
But let me tell you, that house was amazing! And it held the best memories of my life.
But we didn’t have that much money. My dad was always the one that made the money and my mom for a little while was a stay-at-home mom. So when she went back to work, she switched career paths a few times. And she worked 2 jobs just to make ends meet while supporting 3 kids.
Today, I applaud her. Because I can’t imagine what financial stress she went through just to support all of us, our swimming, our dog, and our other crazy needs.
I mean, we were growing kids, who could eat a lot! And we did eat a lot!
But growing up like that, you establish a weird relationship with money. And of course, you don’t know at the time. I really didn’t know until a year ago when I started to question who I was. And I realized that growing up, my relationship with money was strained.
I’ve always been creative. All my life.
I don’t remember when I fell in love with photography. But I always remember myself to be the family photographer.
I would take pictures at every event. And I would sit on the ground at my siblings’ high school swim meets to take pictures. Sometimes they even allowed me on the pool deck!
Man, was that exciting to get in on the action!
But I actually became pretty good at photography. I learned when I needed to snap the photo to get my brother and sister when they were breathing, face out of the water. I learned how to adjust the aperture and take pretty cool photos with backlight. I would set up scenes, use the timer, and really get creative.
But the camera I was using was a family camera. And it wasn’t as good as I would have liked it to be.
So I remember one year for Christmas I wrote a list for my mom of everything that I wanted. And most of it was small. By small, I mean probably under $50. But at the bottom of the list, I put that I wanted a Nikon DSLR camera. And if you know anything about cameras, this was a gift well over $50.
Christmas rolled around and I knew that I wasn’t getting that camera. I mainly wrote it as a joke for my mom.
But the last present I opened was a Nikon D40. Fully charged and ready to use.
I couldn’t believe it. And I don’t really remember my reaction because everything went blank. I was in shock.
This was in middle school where there were no photography classes. And of course, as a freshman in high school, you weren’t allowed in photography class either. Only 10th, 11th, and 12th graders could take those classes.
So I waited my time and took other art classes instead. And then as soon as I was able to take a photography class, I did. I took all the photography classes they offered. And then I even took an independent study so I could spend more time in the dark room.
I ended up graduating high school by taking as many art classes as they would allow me to! Every elective I had was filled with art. And I loved it!
At this point, you’re probably wondering why the heck I’m telling you these stories. What do money and my creativity have to do with anything?
Well, the thing is, when I was a senior in high school I knew that I wanted to be a photographer. That was all that I wanted to do! So I only looked at colleges that offered photography as a major.
When I made this decision, my family wasn’t crazily supportive. My mother was. But she was also practical. She told me that I could major in photography but I also had to major in business.
And my dad flat out told me that I better get used to living on the streets.
So there it is, you see… My struggle with creativity and money.
It’s a give and it’s a take. I know what it’s like to live with limited funds. And I want more out of my life. But I also don’t want to lose my creativity in the process.
Because my sole identity is a creator. That’s who I know myself to be. And without that, I’d be lost in this big world.
So here I am. Trying to make a great living as a creator.
And despite everything you just read… I know that I can do it! I know that it’s possible.
I know that I can make 100k in 2018. And I’m not doing it for anyone else but for me.
So let’s finally get into these darn goals!
RELATED: How to Set Goals & Actually Achieve Them
Last year I wrote a blog post with my goals for 2017. So I figured, what better way to throw my goals out into the universe than I blast them on the internet!
So here goes nothin’!
Whoop there it is! The big one!
Last month I made over $2,000 and by the end of 2018, I plan on making over $9,000 a month. It’s really insane to think about.
But I know I can do it! I just have to work toward it.
So I’m sure you’re wondering where I’m coming from. Who the heck do I think I am to be making over 100k a year with a blog that is so young.
Well, you see…
Right now, my blog isn’t monetized that much. And honestly, the only income I’ve gotten directly from my blog is through affiliate income. So I know that I have room to grow!
And I’ve already outlined some big projects that will help to get me to this goal. Including launching a paid product and a profitable sales funnel!
So I’m mainly just telling you this to hold myself accountable. And to show you that no one can stop you from chasing your wildest dreams!
So here’s to holding myself accountable and achieving the biggest goal I’ve ever set for myself… I’m excited!
RELATED: Beginner’s Guide to Making Money Online
I started out 2017 with a strong focus on growing my social media. And over time, I realized that there were other important things to worry about.
So now that I have some better systems in place, I’m ready to get more serious with my social media! And that means setting big goals for myself.
So as of right now, this is what my social media following looks like:
So yeah… you could say that I’ve got a while to go to achieve my goal on this one! So let’s start this year off with a bang and follow me, would ya?!
Somedays I get 10+ email subscribers and other days I get 1. And that’s okay!
But I want to improve my lead generative to get 300+ people a month on my email list.
So as of right now, I have just over 400 people on my email list. And I started it back in March when I had no idea what I was doing!
But I learned how to gain over 100 subscribers a month and I know that I can find a way to generate more subscribers than ever before!
WOO!
I’m excited about this one.
So again, if you haven’t joined my email list, you can go ahead and do that right now -> JOIN MY VIP TEAM!
RELATED: How I Doubled My Email List in 1 Month
Again… ambitious right?
Well here’s the thing. I notice that I spend half my week doing low-level tasks that an intern or an assistant can do. And sometimes, when I’m done with those tasks, I’m so drained that I don’t want to do any higher level thinking tasks.
It’s bad!
So my goal is to be making enough and to position myself to need an intern or an assistant by the end of 2018!
I would really love to help encourage someone to get into the blogging industry. So if I could find a someone that is looking for a foot in the door or just wants to learn more, that would be awesome!
So yeah, not too much to explain there… It’s time for the last goal of 2018!
RELATED: How to Prioritize Your Time as a Blogger to Get More Done
Soooo… have you noticed that my website is super slow?! And I mean super slow.
I’m honestly so embarrassed by how long it takes to load.
It takes so long in fact that my bounce rate is out of this world. And my page views are hurting because of it!
So one of my big goals for 2018 is to decrease my site speed and improve my page views.
I think (and I’m hoping) that these 2 will go hand in hand.
I’ve already transferred my website to a better hosting server that can hold more traffic. Now I just need to optimize my website and improve things that I botched together when I first created it!
So this goal might not be that exciting. But I think it’s critical to the growth of my blog!
I love to read people’s goals for the new year! But most of the time, people are confusing the difference between a goal and a project. Or they simply write their list of intentions instead of their goals.
So I thought I would take the time to list out my intentions for the new year.
And I encourage you to share your intentions for the new year in the comments down below!
Stop worrying about the past, it’s already gone. And stop worrying about the future because you are creating it right now in the present.
Your phone is your worse enemy and you know it! So pick it up with intention. Otherwise, put it away and get to work.
You only have one body, girl. So you better start taking care of it!
What you’re worried about today might not even appear to be a speed bump in the road in 2 years. Just keep moving! And have some fun, would ya??!
Nothing worth having comes easy. So put in the work, get uncomfortable, and do what needs to be done.
You know yourself better than anyone else. So start honoring yourself every day.
A healthy body creates a healthy mind. The only way upward is by moving!
You’re smarter than that. So prove it!
Whether you realize it or not, there is so much to be grateful for. Never forget it.
Stop using “I don’t know” and prove yourself as a person of authority and action.
Dear 2017 Cathrin,
I remember how we ended 2015. I remember going to the bar just wishing that the year would end so that I could start brand new. 2015 was truly the worst year of my life.
I remember how we ended 2016. Scared and trying so desperately to fit and not be embarrassed when I didn’t. 2016 was a year of confusion and weakness.
I’ll never forget how we’ll end 2017. Dancing on top of a cruise ship, sipping champagne, and probably crying because of how much we have accomplished and learned this year.
2017 has truly been one of the best years of our life. It’s a year that I hope I never forget.
So much good, so much love, and so much discovery have come out of this year.
If there is one wish for you, it would be that you stop worrying so much and just go with what the universe gives you.
You can’t control everything. You’ll never be able to control really anything. So just go with it.
Dance in the rain. Sing at the top of your lungs. And chase those dreams.
2017 Cathrin helped to put us on the path where we belong. 2017 Cathrin allowed us to see a future of our life that we previously thought wasn’t there. 2017 Cathrin changed us for the better and allowed us to become a person who will truly change the world.
So thank you, Cathrin.
Thank you for being you. Thank you for accepting that something needed to change. And thank you for taking the first step to be that change.
You are amazing. You are beautiful. And because of you, the future holds so much promise.
I promise to never stop loving you and taking care of you.
Cathrin (12/18/2017)
Dear reader,
Here’s to you. Here’s to a great year. And here’s to another year together.
When I started this journey, I had no idea who you would be. I was just hoping that there would be someone out there to listen.
Yet here we are. Ending the year together. And starting a new one side-by-side.
I can’t believe it. I really can’t. I can’t believe that you are real. And I can’t believe that you are here. I guess I’m trying to say that I can’t believe anyone would really care.
For so long, I wanted someone to care. I wanted someone to notice me. To notice my work. To ultimately save me.
But then I decided to become that person. I decided to save myself. And after I did, you came.
So thank you. Thank you for just being you.
There are so many exciting things to come for you. And I can’t wait to see all that you will accomplish with a little help from TCB.
Thank you for letting me influence your life. I promise this website will always be here for you whenever you need it.
I love you, whoever you are.
XO, Cath
Cathrin (Cath) creates content that encourages bloggers & online entrepreneurs to be themselves, chase their passion, and create their success online. 1 year after started her blog (TheContentBug.com), Cath left her full-time position working in the digital marketing industry to pursue her dreams of being her own boss. In weekly blog posts, sporadic YouTube videos, and constant talking on Instagram stories, Cath hopes to spread her story and be an inspiration to others who desperately want to change their lives.
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7 responses to “My Goals & Intentions for 2018”
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
It’s so interesting reading your story because outside of a few minor details, it could literally be mine! i, too, am a photographer trying to grow a business and it’s HARD because I want to specialize and not be the one that shoots any and everything. I gained a client that said they wanted to shoot with me “forever” but after 4 months in they canceled the contract because there was a spending freeze, and you guessed it, my services was one of the things that had to go. Thank god I had a cancellation clause in my contract so I had an additional month of income from that particular stream but being in a market that’s just really starting to understand the importance of lifestyle photography is hard as hell. I have a few clients, but it’s nowhere near where it could be. I make a little money from my blog as well, so a goal this year is to really up the ante with content so that I can make more and do more than just survive. I’ve had to tell people no when they try to send certain gigs my way because it would harm my business more than help it, so with a more strategic plan and looking at things with fresh eyes, I’m focused on really growing things the RIGHT way. I say all that to say, YOU GOT THIS! Stay focused and keep pushing yourself and know that you’re not alone in this journey!
Hey Kim!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. It’s always nice to know that we aren’t in it alone and that other people are facing the same or similar struggles.
This past year, I’ve learned to say no. And I’ve done it a lot more than people would think! Sure I could be making more money, but in the long run, I think it would hurt my business just like you said.
I wish you the very best of luck and an extremely successful 2018! And to throw it right back at ya: YOU GOT THIS!
XOXO, Cath
Thank you, Cathrin, for sharing this information with us! Love reading your articles, as they are very inspirational and help me to focus on my personal blog. I totally agree with you that everything is in our hands and only we can change our future.
I hope you will each your goals in 2018 and looking forward to your new educational programs!
Veronika,
Thank you so much for supporting my blog! I seem to see you everywhere I go and I can’t thank you enough for your support. And your blog and Instagram are knocking it out of the park as well! I love your images! I hope you have an amazing holiday season and wish you the best of luck on your 2018 goals as well!
XO, Cath
Yes! I TOTALLY believe that you WILL get there too! With a blog that is so chock full of great content, with a real and authentic voice, this blog can’t help but propel you towards success. You’re a content creation machine (!), yet your content is useful and well thought out and structured. So based on me reading your blog for just a few short months, I totally expect you to knock those goals right out of the water.
You go girl! (And ummm, I know I’m talking to you like we’re buddies or something even though this is my first comment here! 🙂 )
Hey Michelle,
Thank you so much! You’re incredibly awesome and I appreciate your support! And it’s totally okay to talk like we’re buddies. I do that with everyone that reads my content even though I only know a few of them! 🙂
XO, Cath