Wow. I always get a bit nostalgic when a year ends and a new one begins. And as I close out 2007, I thought it only fitting that I revisit the goals I set for myself right here, six months ago, and see what got checked off…and what didn’t (whoops!)

As a reminder, here are the goals I listed in my July 3, 2007 post:

• Spend one hour each day working on marketing my business
• Finish and submit book proposal
• Write a press release regarding this column for Create Magazine’s Fall issue
• Finish bulk of website update
• Begin focusing marketing efforts on my niche areas
• Connect with one prospect per week
• Join my local Chamber of Commerce
• Develop e-newsletter
• Develop and write out my official “process” and put together marketing packets
• Write one press release per month
• Continue with monthly networking group, and add one more networking event per month
• Win a Design Award

Alrighty then. Let’s see what’s been accomplished, what hasn’t, and what will be continued into 2008.

Goal #1: Spend one hour each day working on marketing my business.
Outcome: I’m sorry to say that this has been a tough one to implement into my daily routine. I know how important it is, but sometimes those paying projects come first…or household chores…or family obligations. I will continue to work on this, but will start out smaller – maybe one hour per week.

Goal #2: Finish and submit book proposal.
Outcome: This was a top priority at one time, but has since fallen to the bottom. It’s still something I want to accomplish, but I found myself spread extremely thin the last three months of the year, and I don’t want to over-extend myself with yet another project. I’ll add this to my 2008 goals, but as something to be done during a slow period.

Goal #3: Write a press release regarding this column for Create Magazine’s Fall issue.
Outcome: This goal gets a big, fat check mark. Not only did I write and submit the press release, but I (and the column) got a mention in the Scoop section of Create Magazine Northeast Sept/Oct 2007 issue.

Goal #4: Finish bulk of website update.
Outcome: Don’t get me wrong, there’s still much I want (and need) to do to my website, but I’ve got all the important bits up there. So…maybe I’ll give this one a half of a check mark.

Goal #5: Connect with one prospect per week.
Outcome: I’ll admit I have not been as diligent as I should have been with this one. I have definitely been keeping up with prospects, but not on a weekly basis. I’ll keep this one on my goal list for 2008, though, as I think it’s a very good goal to work towards.

Goal #6: Join my local Chamber of Commerce.
Outcome: I have not yet committed to joining a chamber, but I am involved with my local one, as I hold my monthly networking meetings there. There are several different Chambers I’m considering, though, and I expect to make a decision and join one during the first quarter of 2008.

Goal #7: Develop e-newsletter.
Outcome: Wow. Yet again, another goal that I can’t check off my list. Sheesh! Did I get ANYTHING accomplished this year?!? An e-newsletter just was not a priority these last few months.

Goal #8: Develop and write out my official “process” and put together marketing packets
Outcome: This is not finished, but I have been working on refining my process, and getting it down on paper. I’ve also started working on items to include in my marketing packets – I just need to finish it all and then put it together.

Goal #9: Write one press release per month.
Outcome: FINALLY! A goal I can check off my list! Fortunately, I’ve had a lot of good stuff to write about, so I have been able to get out my press releases pretty regularly.

Goal #10: Continue with monthly networking group, and add one more networking event per month.
Outcome: While I haven’t added one regular monthly event, I’ve been attending a wide variety of networking opportunities, both online and off. I’ve made some very solid connections and will continue this throughout the New Year.

Goal #11: Win a Design award.
Outcome: I am very happy to say that my diligence and hard work has paid off, and in 2007, I was the recipient of not one, but three design awards (two 2007 American Graphic Design Awards, and a Creativity 37 Silver Award.)

Okay. Those were my official goals. While I may not have accomplished as many of them as I would have liked, I have accomplished much that wasn’t on my list:

• Joined a goal accountability group that has really helped keep me on track.
• Joined quarterlife.com as the contributing Graphic Design Expert.
• Went back to school, and got an A-average my first term back.
• Landed several large clients with some really exciting projects.
• Had my work published in numerous Graphic Design compilations.
• Started an online store with items specifically for graphic designers and creative professionals.
• Witnessed my beloved Red Sox 2nd World Series Championship in four years.
• Rooted my New England Patriots on to their best-ever regular season…and hopefully another Super Bowl win. (Okay, I know neither of these last two “accomplishments” are mine, and certainly have nothing to do with my business goals, but as an avid sports fan living in the Boston area, they have definitely been a big part of my year, and deserve mention.)
• Overall, just had one of the best years in a long time, both personally and professionally.

And there you have it. I’m still a ways away from my ultimate goal – getting out of the bedroom – but I’m a lot closer than I was just six months ago. So, what can I say? It’s the end of the year as we know it, and I feel fine…And I’m looking forward to an even better 2008!

Join me next time, as I continue my journey Out of the Bedroom,
Tamar Wallace | Principal, TAMAR Graphics