I don’t usually get into the resolution hype. I am a goal setter in general so I feel like the the whole new year resolution concept is just a way I really hope live my life in general… but, something happened this year. I think I allowed myself to be a little bit lazy the past few weeks in anticipation that I knew that I was going to work 2012. Kimberlee and I always say to “Dare to Dream” and to “make shtuff happen” and so as this new year is upon us I have so many ideas and goals that my head is abuzz with excitement. From studio set revamps to Boudoir International to re-doing our “Workshop in a Book.” But from past experience I know that I really need to focus my time and energy every day in a strategic way to make those things happen, and with that said I need to start every day organized and with a game plan. So I wanted to share with you what my to-do list looks like and invite you to use it if you wish. Here is what it looks like…..

A few tips on how I like to use this thing. So the bottom four blocks are my list of all the things I want to accomplish this week. Then every morning I decide what I will tackle that day, and I add to the day’s to do list. I love feeling like I met my goals at the end of the day, so I select my day’s to-dos without being too overzealous. I try to be realistic. It keeps me calm and then I feel more satisfied at the end of the day. If at the end of the week you haven’t finished all the to-do’s in your four boxes at the bottom, you can always move them over to the new week’s to-do list.

The long term goals are things that take a substantial time to accomplish. I put the overall larger goals there with due dates. Then every week I assign myself smaller tasks to chip away at those.

Another little tip is that I love to put photography goals in my “major goal this week” area. For instance I wanted to improve my “wide open” technique and set an intention to try to get
sharper images at the time I chose to shoot at 1.2 that week. Another week I wanted to master my black and white presets making them look more film quality etc.

So as I sit at my desk for the first time in 2012 I feel so grateful and blessed to be where I am right now; so many of my dreams realized. But I know that God has more planned for K and I, and I am eager to get started. I pray this is new year finds you refreshed, invigorated and ready to make 2012 your bitch! Make it be the vehicle for the life you envision for yourself. And if you are brave enough to commit to your big goal, we would love to hear them! Let’s encourage each other as we start the new year with a serious bang. Love all you fellow Bou photographers!