According to the weather widget on my desktop at work, it is a balmy 64 degrees outside right now. Twitter and Facebook have been filled with countless tweets and status updates about how gorgeous the weather is, how it's hard to believe it's really only February, and the like. And I've been sitting inside. At a desk. In an office. Since 7:00 A.M.
If you think that sounds like it sucks, well, you're right. It does.
But today has been a particularly slow day at work. I've actually had several of these as of late, but I took my extra time today to catch up on the blog of the wonderful Katelyn James. I was several weeks behind and recently Katelyn had done several posts on business related things, including the evolution of her business, how to use Pinterest to your advantage, even stuff about organizing finances!
Anyway. What it did was provide me with a sort of kick in the pants.
You might recall a few months ago when I wrote this post about my game plan to eventually get to where I want career-wise. Well, I have to say...I've failed miserably thus far.
I've been working full-time for just over four months now. And since I wrote that post after working for one full week, it means I've had four months to have been working on stuff to get myself where I want to be one day. And I've hardly done a thing.
I did start my A&E blog, but life has been so crazy recently that I've put it on hold for the time being. I need to get some other things done and survive Easter first. Then The Whole Shebang will get a design overhaul and I'll really start posting actively.
But after reading all of Katelyn's posts, I became motivated and inspired. If this is something I really want to do (which it is), then I have to kick my butt in gear and get it done. No one else can make me. My friends and family can help me, but they can't make me do any of it.
And so, I've made myself a new to-do list. It's my business to-do list and it's something I'm going to start making at the beginning of each month to make sure that ten years from now I'm not sitting in a government office job somewhere, bored to tears and wondering where my life and dreams went.
Currently I have six goals:
- Finish designing and launch portfolio website
- Come up with possible business names
- Register for Web Design 1 (to be done by March 5)
- Reorganize Pinterest boards
- Design business cards
- Get headshots done
The next thing is to begin coming up with possible business names. When I eventually launch my web and graphic design business, I will need a business name. There is the possibility of Sarah Hayes Designs, but I don't know if I like how that sounds. So I need to brainstorming for ideas. Which is where I would love your help. If you have any ideas for possible design names, knowing what you do about me from reading my blog, I would love your input. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
The third is probably the easiest goal. In order to really be able to start a web and graphic design business, I need to fill one major hole in my knowledge...coding. I have no idea how to code. I mean, I know the most basic HTML coding, but that's it. And while I can draw you really pretty pictures of what I want the design to look like, I can't actually make it happen myself. So I need to learn how to code and to do that I'm taking web design courses at the community college online. The class I'm signing up for starts on March 12. I just need to figure out the financial stuff before I sign up. But I'm super excited!
The fourth goal might not seem like a business goal, but when you realize what an awesome tool Pinterest can be for small business owners -- especially those with some sort of design element to them -- you'll realize why it's important for me to reorganize my Pinterest boards so they're more categorized. I'll also be making some more boards that will specifically be dedicated to ideas for designs, my work, tips for small businesses, and the like.
The next thing to do is design business cards. Right now, they'll just be personal business cards, but it will be helpful to have them for the future. And then eventually, when I come up with a design name and a logo and all that jazz, I'll redesign them again.
The last goal is pretty simple: I need headshots. I simply am in need of some recent and professional headshots to put up on my website so people will not only be able to see my design work, but will also be able to see who I am.
Those are the goals for now. Generally, I will be writing new goals out every month, but I've given myself just over two months to complete these ones. And that is mainly because until the Easter pageant is over (April 7 is the last performance), my life is going to be insane. And I'd rather give myself ample time to complete my goals and finish them early than set early deadlines and totally stress myself out because I have so much stuff to do and no time to do it.
I'm really excited about this and one day I will look back at where I was and think, "Wow. I did that." And it will be great.
So if you have ideas for business names...sound off in the comments. And have a lovely Thursday. :)
-- Shayes.
