In December I made my vision cards to help me navigate through this year. I keep them in my planner and really don’t look at them much until around June when I take them out to make notes on the back about the progress (or lack of) that I’ve made in each category. Let’s take a look:
My Craft Work: I have not been as active in the studio this year as I’d like to be. I have put up a YouTube video about some cards that I made and I have gotten a couple of Etsy sales but given the fact that I have some extra time thanks to COVID, there are a lot of things I could have done to promote more on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. I have some e-courses to go through to help me with that so that’s going to be my focus for the next few months. I am afraid that we won’t have any holiday boutiques this year and that’s where I’ve made some pretty good sales in the past few years.
Experiences: Well, as we all know most of the country has been in Shelter-in-Place mode since March. Our area is no different. Even the beaches have been closed until just recently so I’ve not gone anywhere except the grocery store and to take our son to work. What I have been doing though is noticing different things around the neighborhood as I walk Benny twice a day. I’ve seen several changes in the houses in our neighborhood as people paint or work in their gardens. I’ve taken some pictures and used them in my One Second Everyday video. We still have some time left this year so maybe I’ll get a chance to get to the beach again.
The house: So far we have done a great job of clearing out the backyard. It was full of weeds at the start of the year but using some weedkiller has helped and it is now back to ground zero status. We plan to get some artificial grass and pen off an area so that Benny can go out there and our daughter wants to plant a garden in a plantar box so that’s the next step. I may get my fire pit after all!
Relationships: Obviously there has been no gathering of friends lately. The last event I went to was a Super Bowl party in the beginning of February! I have been Facetiming with my sister and my niece, at least a monthly email check-in with a girlfriend and talking to my mom on the phone at least once a week is keeping me going right now. I did do a Zoom crafting get together which was fun. Maybe I’ll try another one of those.
Finances: Interestingly, the year started off with a huge change in my transcription business. At first I was in a panic because I was not getting much work, then things picked up but in March it came to a crashing halt again. I had been mainly a medical transcriptionist but I had the opportunity to take over some other kinds of typing and now I do Zoom meetings and interviews. It is still slow going and thankfully I’ve been able to collect unemployment, something that is usually not available to the self-employed. I actually have been able to pay off some credit cards and add to our savings. Hopefully things in this area will pick up again too.
Health and Wellness: Unfortunately I’ve been at a standstill so far with the weight loss progress. I have lost a total of 75 pounds to this point but I have another 20 to go. I know I need to increase the exercise and I have to recalculate the “numbers” so I know what my caloric/carb intake should be to allow for that weight loss. In my mind, I am determined to get to goal this year.
While COVID has changed the course of lots of things this year, I still feel comfortable with progress I’ve been able to make to this point and I have some clear intentions for the next six months. How about you? Did you make vision cards this year?
Janet's Smiles 
Pingback: #JustJoJan – 2021 – Fingertips – Vision Cards | Janet's Smiles
Love your vision cards and how you’ve reflected back on each one. COVID really has had an interesting effect on all aspects of our lives, in good ways and bad.
You’ve also reminded my to find my Vision Board and to see how I’m doing. Sigh, it’s already August and I haven’t looked at it for months.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Debs. It is strange this year, isn’t it? I’m counting anything accomplished as a good sign.
LikeLike
I have never made vision cards, but I love the concept. Who could have known on January 1 what a crazy year this would be?
LikeLike
You are so right, Laurie! I can’t believe it is August already! Usually by this time we would have seen two or three concerts at least and have three more to go to! I wish I could say I am using the time to do needed projects but suddenly I am stalled in a lot of ways. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I admire you for sticking with and modifying your goals as things have changed over the course of this frustrating year. I’m also impressed your yard is weed-free, I swear my weeds are just lurking under the ones I pull so they can grow right back the next day. I hope you’re able to increase your Etsy sales and that you learn lots about that with the e-courses. Have you tried intermittent fasting to get over the stall? It works well, and increasing fat intake typically will get someone over the stall. ;-). Thank you for your continued inspiration! I hope you get to go to the beach again soon and that you’ll be able to go to concerts and craft fairs too. Take care, and keep smiling.
LikeLike
Hey Shelley, don’t know why this comment ended up in my pending folder but other ones don’t. Crazy WP. I intermittent fast by trying not to eat past 7 PM and then not eating until after noon the next day. I’ll have to give the increased fat a try. I am not used to being able to have fat because all the other times I tried to lose it was with low fat/low cal meals. August is almost half gone already!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL – thanks for rescuing my comment. The mysteries of WP linger on! You’re on the right track. 18-24 hour intermittent fasting a couple times of week, even daily, will increase your chances of maintaining fat adapted status and you’ll drop pounds easily.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a good way of measuring your achievements for the year, Janet. It has been a tough one so far so you’ve done really well considering.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Roberta. I am not going to beat myself up about things I don’t accomplish this year for sure! Still, we have another 5 months to go so maybe I can do a few more things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I made a vision board a few months before I retired (six years ago) but haven’t updated it since. I also wrote a Vision Statement which I have pinned to a bulletin board in front of me as I sit at my computer. In looking at my board and reading my statement, I don’t think I’d change much at all. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Janis. My vision cards are similar every year too, it’s just the types of things I want to focus on. Those are my cores. If yours are the same too, then you have the right cores.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No vision cards. But I’m glad I didn’t because it would have depressed me more
LikeLike
I can understand that, LA, but I think that’s why I make the cards instead of making resolutions in January. I’m giving myself a little wiggle room as far as completion goes. Of course, this year kind of throws everything out the window.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re doing great with your vision for this year– and that’s saying something considering what a weird year it’s been. I’ve never made vision cards, but I do keep a running list of what I’d like to see happen in my/our lives. More wordy than visual, I guess.
LikeLike
Yes, Ally! Mine is kind of like a to-do list with pictures. Seems like sometimes the same things are on that list from year to year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Janet – I love how your cards are quite specifically targetted – it makes it easier to guage how you’re progressing as the year moves along. I clicked over to your youtube video so I could see and hear you – it added another layer to the picture I have of you in my head (and the card was very nicely done – you have SO much stock and so many supplies!)
LikeLike
Thanks for taking the time to check out the video, Leanne. Yes, I do have a lot of stuff and the quarantine has helped me a little in that I’m not able to get out to Michaels or to go to scrapbook expos in person so I’ve been using some things I’ve had around for a while. Of course, by now they have figured out how to do a YouTube version of the Expo and the websites are handing out discounts right and left so I have purchased a few new things…LOL
LikeLike
Hi, Janet – I completely agree with Erica. You are a true inspiration. I greatly admire your energy…and your organization!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the kind words, Donna.
LikeLike
Look at you making plans! It sucks that COVID has interrupted them but hopefully the next half of year improves so you can get some of your plans finished!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! That’s why I like to take stock at mid-year. It really gives me an idea of what to shoot for. Interesting to me is that I put new refrigerator on my “Home” list and I got one in March, but didn’t remember that I had written it until I looked today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh love when that happens!! My apartment needs a new refrigerator as well lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Janet,
Just to let you know I continue to try commenting on this post using Safari and Google Chrome. I also unfollowed and followed again. My comments continue to disappear. It may be a glitch on my site. Just letting you know. xx Erica
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Janet, You are inspirational on how you find ways to continue learning. You bring up a good point about noticing new things even when you are walking in the same neighbourhood. A fire pit will be a treat. Huge kudos on your health and wellness. A standstill is a good thing when life has been uncertain. I don’t make vision cards, yet I try to stay mentally and physically healthy. I have been reading many blogs and a huge assortment of books. I think they are called Indie authors. Take care and I appreciate the smiles 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Erica! It is really eye opening sometimes to see what has happened in each of my focus areas, especially because once the cards are made and put in the planner, I don’t really look at them a lot. There is a house around the corner that has a great yard decoration scene and I purposely look to see if some of the elements have been moved around.
LikeLike
Hi again, Janet, I was looking for your smiling face in my inbox and I realize you have not been posting for awhile. You may be on a much needed break. Hope all is okay. 🙂 Erica
LikeLiked by 1 person
How nice of you to check on me, Erica! I was just going to write a post today. I am fine, just that I haven’t got much to say lately – LOL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally fine, Janet. No rules. It needs to be a fun part of our lives. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Janet, You are inspirational on how you find ways to continue learning. You bring up a good point about noticing new things even when you are walking in the same neighbourhood. A fire pit will be a treat. Huge kudos on your health and wellness. A standstill is a good thing when life has been uncertain. I don’t make vision cards, yet I try to stay mentally and physically healthy. I have been reading many blogs and a huge assortment of books. I think they are called Indie authors. Take care and I appreciate the smiles. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Janet, You are inspirational on how you find ways to continue learning. You bring up a good point about noticing new things even when you are walking in the same neighbourhood. A fire pit will be a treat. Huge kudos on your health and wellness. A standstill is a good thing when life has been uncertain. I don’t make vision cards, yet I try to stay mentally and physically healthy. I have been reading many blogs and a huge assortment of books. I think they are called Indie authors. New authors for me. Take care and I appreciate the smiles. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person