Setting My 2024 Goals: 5 Powerful Shifts I’m Embracing in my Business
Happy New Year! As I’ve been reflecting over 2023 (and embracing goal setting season), I wanted to pause and share some of the big shifts I’m making in my business (that might not be what you expect). Last year was amazing – not because I made a million dollar or everything I posted on social media went viral (it didn’t!), but because I leaned into what really matters to me. Today, I’m sharing 5 shifts I’m embracing in my business as I set my 2024 goals.
1. Prioritizing Quality and Flexibility
In 2023, my heart was focused on two themes: quality and flexibility. As I set my sights on my 2024 goals, I’m bringing these two words back as my guiding compass because I’ve found myself really enjoying prioritizing quality and flexibility over chasing numbers (and basing my definition of success of alignment with my values rather than the number in my bank account).
The truth is, I consider 2023 to be one of my best years in business yet, and it wasn’t because my revenue drastically increased, or because I booked even more weddings than the year before, or even that my Instagram following grew (spoiler alert: it didn’t!). But here’s what did change: the quality of my life (both in business and personally!).
Every single client I worked with last year was incredible – they trusted me wholeheartedly, visibly enjoyed the process, and valued my services. Because I was intentional in prioritizing quality, I had the flexibility to only say yes to the projects that really lit me up. And because my calendar wasn’t overflowing with work, and I was truly valuing my time, I was able to enhance my personal quality of life by doing more things that bring me joy (travel, reading, spending time with loved ones).
On top of that, I also had the flexibility to be truly present for important moments in the lives of the people I love. It’s easy to get distracted by what others are doing and where they’re at on their business journeys, but in 2023 I learned to stay focused on my own personal values and base my definition of success off of that. This is one shift I made last year that’s sitting front and center for me as I set my 2024 goals.
2. Letting Go of Negative Feedback
I have to be honest with you, I used to take it so personally if someone didn’t want to work with me. This was a hard thing to get over, but the longer I’m in business the more I understand that hearing no is not a reflection on me personally, and that by someone saying “no,” or unfollowing me, they’re creating space for someone and something that’s even more aligned with me to come in. And I’m EMBRACING that as I set my sights on my 2024 goals.
3. The Power of Saying No
Oh, how liberating it is to finally feel more confident when saying the word “no”! This was a work in progress throughout 2023, but saying no is like a muscle in that it’s getting easier the more that I do it. Whether it’s to an inquiry that doesn’t feel aligned, someone asking for a discount, or even a friend who wants to go out when I know my body needs a night in, I’m leaning into the power of saying no this year.
The more I’ve sat in the discomfort of saying no, the more I’ve found that people appreciate the honesty, and it gives them room to find someone who DOES feel like their ask is a YES. The fact that saying no will also give me more time to focus on my 2024 goals is just a bonus!
4. Embracing the Unknown
This is one of the biggest mindset shifts I’m making as I plan out my 2024 goals. As my business continues to grow, I’ve found that the “unknown” of where I go from here (and how I get there) fills me with anxiety. In the past, I’ve been looking at this gap as a scary, dark pit, but this year, I’m reframing my mindset and learning to embrace it within my 2024 goals.
This means instead of seeing a dark pit as my future, I’m looking at it as something that’s open, spacious, bright and filled with infinite possibilities (ones that I can’t even imagine yet!). It’s an adventure that I get to experience, as long as I keep putting one foot in front of the other. And I’m so excited to walk into the new year filled with possibilities!
5. I’m Not Going to Play it Safe
In 2023, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone in multiple ways, from launching a mentorship offering, to increasing my pricing, to investing in a complete rebrand of my business. That’s a lot in one year! But what I’ve learned is that taking those risks actually moved the needle much farther than when I’ve played it safe in the past. I have big dreams for myself and for my business and it’s up to me to make them a reality. I’m taking that energy into my 2024 goals and am making it a priority to continue to push myself out of my comfort zone so that I can reach truly feel like I’m reaching my full potential.
Setting 2024 Goals
These five shifts aren’t just changes to hit 2024 goals; they’re my commitment to a journey of growth, authenticity, and boldness. Prioritizing quality and flexibility, letting go of negative feedback, harnessing the power of saying no, embracing the unknown, and stepping out of my comfort zone – these are the pillars that will guide my business in 2024. I hope you’ll join me in this pursuit! Follow me on Instagram to continue the conversation and if you’re a calligrapher seeking mentorship and would love to work together this year, you can find all the information you need here. Thank you!
