Happy New Year Everyone!
I hope you all had a fantastic time celebrating and relaxing over the Christmas and New Year time.
Here is a peek at a few of our Christmas snapshots…
P.S. The Inspired by Jamie Christmas Gravy & Festive Rocky Road were a hit.
As one year closes and another begins, I like to reflect back on “the year that was” as well as set some goals and challenges for the New Year.
Over the past several years, we’ve made it a tradition in our household to write a basic “The Year That Was” summary. It includes things like where we’ve travelled, weddings we went to, babies that were born, and big things that happened in our lives, like buying a house etc. It forms a really nice memento to look back at the previous few years and reflect on the things we’d otherwise have forgotten about…
Do you have any similar end of year traditions?
At the start of each New Year, I also jot down some goals for the year ahead.
Goal setting is probably not everyone’s thing, but it really works for me. I just operate and feel better about things when I have a purpose and focus…
Each year I like to challenge myself to learn something different, and in 2011 I had a steep learning curve when I started this blog. Over the past year I’ve learnt more than I expected to, and my “learn something new” goals for 2013 will continue on this path. The world of web and digital changes so quickly, I’m sure my learning in this area will never end.
So here are my 2013 Blogging Goals:
1. Develop a Blog Content Plan
The Why
My pattern for cooking, writing recipes and posting content has been quite haphazard. I do most of my blogging related cooking on weekends, and if I have a busy weekend, I often don’t have time in the kitchen. Planning ahead and doing extra when I can will make life easier.
The Plan
Cook & draft posts in advance to have spare posts ready and scheduled
The Aim
Have at least 2-3 posts drafted and in place at all times
2. Improve my Photography
The Why?
I have a decent camera, but my knowledge and skill is limited. And because this is a food blog – people eat with their eyes, and I’d like to create better images.
The Plan
Improve my knowledge of my DSLR camera and how to style my dishes
The Aim
Attend a basic photography course. Observe and experiment!
3. Redesign my logo & branding
The Why?
I don’t love my logo and I’d like to give the site a mini makeover
The Plan
I already have a vendor and just need to complete their design brief for work to continue
The Aim
Submit design brief, make over the site and finally order some business cards.
4. Eat more whole foods and less meat
The Why?
I was inspired by the documentary Forks Over Knives
The Plan
Explore new cookbooks and experiment
The Aim
Publish more meat-free options on the blog
5. Continue to learn about blogging and the digital world
The Why?
Because I’ll never know it all!
The Plan
Continue to learn about the various technical aspects of websites, WordPress and blogging
The Aim
Add more pages, functionality and depth to this site
6. Produce another Ebook
The Why?
Because I need a challenge that will stretch me out of my comfort zone
The Plan
Decide which Ebook idea to pursue from the handful I’ve already considered
The Aim
Design & produce an Ebook for sale!
So there we have it. These are my blogging goals! Let’s see how many I can tick off this year.
What will you challenge yourself to test out or learn this year?
Did you enjoy this article?
|
 |
Welcome to Ten Thousand Tastebuds. I’m Vanessa, and I blog here with a focus on fresh produce and food ingredients. My aim is to to encourage you to mix it up and try new things in your kitchen! xx Happy cooking! 
These sounds like great goals. I’m the same with my blog related cooking, if I have a bus weekend none happens, and blogging doesn’t happen.
Hi Clare, I know what you mean, and busy weekends are so frequent! It’s not worth getting stressed over, so I just need to get more organised to give myself that breathing space when I need it…thanks for reading and good luck with your 2013 goals.x
Hi Vanessa, fantastic plan, good on you…I would LOVE to know more meat free cooking ideas, things that are quick, easy and tasty please
. Great to have you back…have a fantastic 2013!
Hi Paula, hope 2013 will be a fantastic year for you also. Lots of meat free ideas coming up!
Hey V, It’s great to see that you’re still working hard on the blog and that you haven’t given it up considering how busy you are. It’s quite inspiring.
Your Chrissy spread looks awesome too..Love the table layout and the placemats are awesome!
Look forward to more posts by you soon
Vee
Hey Vee, thanks so much for your encouraging words and hope I can continue the momentum in 2013. The Christmas placemats and tablecloth were bought online. 2012 Christmas was a mixture of rocking online and Aldi purchases, I became obsessed!!
Hey Vanessa,
Well done getting your site up and running and for the posts in 2012. I’ve really enjoyed reading them although haven’t cooked anything for probably the last three months due to work/life commitments other than the necessities. Hopefully I’ll get more time in 2013 to get back into cooking.
Good luck in 2013
Marcus
Thanks so much Marcus, and so glad you’ve read along and enjoyed the posts. I can totally understand your lack of kitchen time with your work and travel commitments. Hope 2013 gives you more balance and time for cooking with the kids! Cheers, V
Mr Beef is getting upset with all this support for meat free meals……..remember…the best chips are those cooked in animal fat…hehe