I’m joining Quilting Jetgirl for her mid-year review. I skipped goal setting at the beginning of this year – I really should have. I’ve really been struggling recently with prioritizing, and I think this is due to not having a clear set of goals.
2018 First Half Achievements
2018 Monthly Color Challenge – I’ve kept up with my designs, although I haven’t made many other blocks, and I haven’t kept up with my videos.
Island Batik Ambassador – Again, I’ve kept up, barely. I find myself doing more thinking than doing with this program. I would like to manage my work more efficiently, and make some more impressive projects.
Blogging – Posts have been more sporadic than I would prefer. Several of my projects have been “secret sewing”, which leaves me with noting to post about. More planning will be helpful with keeping my content fresh.
Professional Quilting – My longarm business is going very well. My partnership with Gotham Quilts makes me very happy, and is helping me grow as a quilter.
Pattern Design – This is not going as well as I would like. I’ve designed and made several quilts, but I have not sat down to create the pattern yet. That is so much work! My hat is off to all of the great designers out there. I did have a pattern published in a magazine, and on Moda Bakeshop, and I am still proud.
Teaching – I have been teaching Longarm Certification at Gotham Quilts in New York City. This is my first teaching job, and I am loving it. I still get nervous, and I worry that I am too casual or too uptight, but I haven’t been fired yet!
Miscellaneous – I also won some ribbons at a guild quilt show, collaborated with a fabric designer for the first time, and I’ve been receiving products in exchange for reviews.
2018 Second Half Goals
2018 Color Challenge – Keep on keeping up, and make at least one other designer’s block each month. Release video tutorials when possible.
Island Batik – Keep up, and start working ahead. I have at least planned out most of my projects for the rest of the year, and I am currently working on the quilt for July. Use this program as a springboard for getting my original work “out there”.
Blogging – At least one post each week, with two preferred.
Professional Quilting – Better time management. I need to schedule my time so I don’t always feel like I’m barely keeping up.
Pattern Design – Write up and release 3 new patterns this year.
Publishing – Get a quilt pattern into a quilting magazine. This won’t happen this calendar year, as most publications are working on their spring issues this year. I need to start working on submissions NOW.
Teaching – I want to teach a few classes beyond longarm certification. I believe I will be teaching Jelly Roll Rugs at my local guild and at Gotham Quilts. Someday I want to be teaching my own patterns, but I’ll have to write them first!
Saying No – I have a real problem saying no. It is causing me to have a work/life imbalance. I spend all of my time saying yes and trying to please everyone, and my family and health are being neglected. This has to stop. I am always so flattered when people want to work with me, and I forget that there is only so much of me to go around. I’m also taking on too many projects that don’t really benefit me at all. There are a lot of opportunities for quilters to be exploited, and I seem to be finding them all. I’m no longer in the market for volunteering to make things for companies and get little or nothing in return.
I don’t want to end this post on a sour note. I am really happy with the way my quilting career is evolving. Opportunities are starting to open up to me, and I am learning how to play the game. I have a wise advisor who reminds me that everything I do is a learning experience. I am so very well educated right now.
Here is wishing everyone a productive remainder of the year. I hope you achieve everything you set your mind to. I hope I achieve at least the things I write down and plan for!
Great recap, Jen. That balance is tough for me too! I’ve had to get support from a doctor’s office since I was so our of balance. Our health is so important. Thank you so much for sharing your mid-year progress with us! I’m sure you will be able to work on this for the 2nd half of the year.
Thanks, Dawn! I’m glad you are feeling better.
You certainly do have a lot on your plate. I am impressed
Thanks! I need to keep my plate full to be productive. If I’m not super busy I sit around and do nothing.
Hi Jen! It looks like you have made a few of your goals for the year. I wish I was able to take one of your classes on longarming at Gotham. Of course, it would be even more helpful if I had a longarm . . . but I digress. I know what you mean about the time it takes to write a pattern. There certainly is a skill level needed to be able to write all of the steps in a helpful order for all skill levels. Happy Monday! ~smile~ Roseanne
My class is for people who want to rent time on the longarm at Gotham. It is a very limited scope. If you are ever in town, drop in and say hi!
You accomplish quite a lot Jen and I am in awe. I hope you continue to find balance.
It can be very hard to learn to say no. I’m a huge advocate of giving back to the community, but there has to be a limit and a point at which you step away to take care of yourself, too. I wish you a wonderful rest of 2018 and I hope you can navigate the path toward better balance.
Hi Jen, I think I may be leaving a second comment, but my first one seems to have disappeared. Learning to say no can be very hard and it’s something I can struggle with as well. I’m also a huge advocate of giving back to the community, but there is only so much that you can give away for “free”. I wish you a wonderful rest of 2018 and I hope that you navigate the path to better balance easily.
It’s hard to prioritize. Don’t be tough on yourself. After a very busy career I often find myself angry with myself for not doing more now. Then I step back and realize that in other ways I am doing as much or more just differently. Enjoy your vacation.
Have a great vacation-you have accomplished a lot and will continue to get more of a sense of where you want to focus. “No” is hard for me too. I am getting better at it-but it’s a process.