New year, new goals. But with the following provision: these are goals, not requirements. There is no such thing as failing, there is simply moving the needle. Not that I would like to take them any less seriously, but if 2017 taught me anything, it’s that if life brings about circumstances out of my control that results in missing a goal, then it’s not fair, and not useful, to consider that achievement/goal a failure. For instance, last year we aimed to go abroad. Then family health, funeral, and other expenses caught up to us, and we didn’t go. Did we fail to go? I guess you could look at it that way- but instead I think I would rather put our lack of vacationing down as something to attend to another time instead of a failure.
Ahem, anyways, with that said.. Here are my goals for 2018:
The Horse
- Get his weight up. This is a short term goal, as I expect to not have as many issues once the grass returns in the spring. But homeboy is looking a little rangy despite my literally stuffing him full of food like a hog for slaughter.
- Gain confidence cross country. Meaning I would like Jack to become the master of ditches, and to be more forward thinking to new fences. This will only come with repetition, so that means I need to commit to getting out as much as possible.
- Go penalty free at a recognized show. This spring, I’m aiming at the Southern Pines HT in March and Longleaf in April.
- Move up to Novice. Obviously, this goal is contingent on meeting the above cross country goal. We’re already schooling the showjumping, and well beyond the dressage, but he needs to be less impressed by new cross country obstacles before attacking the black-on-white numbers.
- Ride a First Level test at a schooling show, likely. But if finances allow, perhaps a recognized show could be thrown in there.
BN looks tiny compared to the yellow moose. PC: Brant Gamma
Photography
- Book 1 Gold Session/month from March – November. Mostly this will be down to learning about marketing, and will hopefully be aided by the next goal, which is…
- Implement a referral program. Incentivize former clients for getting the word out!
- Plan at least one out-of-state photog trip. Last year I did shoots in Florida and at Fair Hill (oh hey Niamh! 🙂 ). I’m not sure if I’ll get to Florida this year, but with WEG and Rolex on my list of events to attend I would love to sneak in some tog-related stuff while I’m there. Also would LOVE to hit up some other destinations, so if you’re interested in a shoot let me know!
- Save up for the Holy Grail of lenses. The Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2, to be exact. I rented this lens for Fair Hill last year (see below photos from the 3* SJ) and was so impressed. But it will take quite a few precious pennies to make it my own.
- Start shooting with more precision. I’m hoping to get into the habit of back-button focusing, as well as utilizing all the available focus points on my D750.
The Blog
- Commit to 3 posts each week. Thank you to all who took a moment and participated in the survey. I guess you want to hear more about Jack, so I’ll be doing my best to deliver!
- Try and get back in the groove of reading everyone’s blogs. I seriously neglected this (just like my own blog) over the last 6 months. Going to try and do better!
- Write some posts for The Plaid Horse! What what?!
- Host my first giveaway! Details to commmme!
Results from the Blog Survey
So here’s looking at you, 2018! Onwards and upwards!
Red on the Right 
YOU SHOULD COME TAKE PICTURES IN TEXAS
FOR REAL THOUGH!
Great goals! I also like to approach my yearly goals as less do-or-die and more like guidelines that will help me work toward where I want to be. Less pressure, more fun!
Exactly!!!
I love the idea that not achieving a goal doesn’t make it a failure. Life is fluid so our goals must be too!
I would love to have pictures taken by you (and meet you!) but I’m in the less exciting state of Michigan so I’m not sure what I have to offer extra, lol. Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is not super close to me but that’s a cool show series in my state.
I’ll pretty much fly anywhere as long as there was enough interest to justify it! If you think you can wrangle up some folks let’s talk!
How many do you think you would need to make it worthwhile? I can ask around at the barn.
What about California? 😛
Or two stops in California to cover the whole lot of us here!
Um, yes please!!! Where are you in relation to L?
I’m up near Megan and Kate and Olivia (and a bunch of others), vague area of where L used to be!
These are great goals and I also love that you’re not viewing them as a failure! 🙂
I’m hoping to book a session with you later this year, but it will depend on finances, etc. (We’re aiming to buy a house next spring, so paying down debt is the name of the game right now!) We’d be happy to stick around Raleigh or even trek to Asheville/Lake Lure or Boone!
Buying a house is so exciting!! And ah, I just love the Asheville/Lake Lure area! You just let me know if you ever want to make it official! 😀 Good luck with the house hunting!
We do, too! We got engaged on Grandfather Mountain, and married in Lake Lure, all while living in Florida, lol 🙂
Chimi requests a photo shoot in September when you come to WEG 😀 I actually was going to ask you to do this then!!!! And I’ll see if I can get some other locals that might want some pictures done with their creatures!
YES! That would be so fun! We’ll plan on it then, and the more the merrier!
Your goals sound very considered! I like your approach!
Trying to be smart about it, but still have something to strive after. It’s all about the journey, right? 🙂
Come visit Ohio! Niko would love his own photoshoot… and I could probably get a few people in the area on board! Ahem… anyways… I love these goals, and your approach is EXACTLY what I just commented on Genny’s blog! Funny how so many of us think along similar lines
Um I would LOVE to photograph the new poneh! I may whip up a couple flyers then for seeing if there’s other interest!
Such a great way to look forward at the year. Sounds like plenty of great opportunities!
So many exciting things to look forward to!
These are great goals! I can’t wait to see more gorgeous photos, and of course more of Barbie Dream Horse floating around like the dream horse he is!
Exciting! Can’t wait to see how it pans out!
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