Holy Moly Guacamole!
Can you believe it's already December?!? ICYMI last month, I hopped on the blogger bandwagon and implemented monthly goal posts! This month we are reviewing November's goals and talking all about December's goals. It seriously feels like just yesterday I was launching rachelritlop.com and starting to let go of my in-person clients! I can't believe I am actually shutting down rachelritlop.com this month and have moved my new services in house to TCM, which you can check out here.
Before I get crazy nostalgic about this year, and how much has changed/grown, I am going to hop into check November's goals progress!
November Goals Review:
Professional Goals:
1. Pageviews: October: 9,388 // Goal: 10,000. I actually hit over 11,000! And that's with my Google Analytics being down for three days not counting anything!
2. Get organized for my rebrand. I am planning on changing up some of my coaching services and bringing them in-house to TCM when rachelritlop.com expires in December. OOPS! I did a little more than this! HAHA I impulsively decided to re-design all of TCM, moving it from Squarespace to WordPress (you can read about that decision here)Â and am closing down rachelritlop.com this month.
3. Land four new sponsored gigs. Check!
4. Grow my social media accounts.Â
Instagram: Current 13.5K – goal: 15k With the blog switch and traveling, I really did not pay nearly as much attention to IG as I normally do – and it showed. I only grew to 14.5 this month. I typically grow by 2k a month, but I also spend 1-2 hours a day engaging with people to achieve that.Â
Facebook: Current 1 k – Goal 1.3k Didn't reach this either, I got halfway there. I just can't get into growing my FB for some reason.Â
Pinterest: Current 1.1K – goal 1.3k Passed this one by 100!
Twitter: Current 10.5k – Goal 11k Nailed it! Hit 11k on 11/30!
5. Co-host my first virtual summit! Ok so happy this one is over. Not gunna lie, the perfectionist in me had total anxiety about this. I learned a lot, and had a chance to connect with amazing people, but it's going to be a while until my next summit.
Personal Goals November:
1. Be more flexible. I got so caught up with work, that being flexible with family and friend stuff was way easier than I thought it would be! Hey, being too distracted to go type-a on others counts right?
2. Clean my apartment & get organized. Thank goodness this is done! My Christmas tree is up! The floors are cleaned! and everything has a home in my apartment again!
3. Workout outside. I really struggled with this during the start of the month. But the last two weeks I've been doing three miles outside again six days a week so that's good!
4. Practice some self-care. I really let this go out the window last month. This month I want to do an at home spa night, meditate, and stretch a few times a week. I didn't do a spa night, or meditate, but I stretch… but only a few times this month ?
5. Cook Thanksgiving dinner. I nailed this one! I ended up cooking enough for 10 people and it was delicious!
DECEMBER:
Professional Goals:
1 . Update my teachable domain settings for my e-course. While I would love to say I am updating my Instagram course, “From Insta-groan to Insta-game” – it's just not in the cards for December! But with moving hosts and everything, it looks like the domain broke, so I have to make time to clean up all of that
2. Create a regular schedule to go through e-courses. I have purchased courses in the past and actually never finished one in it's entirety – so my goal is to actually complete the course!
3. Get ahead of my Forbes schedule. As a contributing writer for Forbes, I need to post 5 articles a month to get paid. I have been writing the articles the week before, so not really leaving a lot of contingency time if anything goes wrong in my life. For this month, I want to have all five articles written by the 14th! You guys can check out all of my Forbes articles here.
4. Catch up on e-mails and responding on social media. November was a total wash for me for the first time ever. I did not respond to people on social media and via email within 72 hours. Between California and the holidays, and moving the blog, I just lost control of my schedule. I want to go through and get caught up.
5. Grow my social media:
            Instagram: Current 14.5K – goal: 16k
            Facebook: Current 1,150 k – Goal 1.3k
            Pinterest: Current 1.4K – goal 1.6k
            Twitter: Current 11k – Goal 12k
Personal Goals:
1 . Start and finish holiday shopping. I have no idea what I am doing about this.
2. Meet a blogger while in Utah – If you are near Park City, UT and want to meet up let me know in the comments! Because I like making new franddsss!
3. Practice yoga 3 times this month. Because I seriously feel like I am an 85 year old woman and need to get my life together.
4. Finally, make this butternut squash recipe that has been on my to-do list for the last year. Because it's delicious looking – duh.
5. Start and get caught up with ‘This Is Us' and other shows on winter break. I've been waiting to start This Is Us and a lot of other fall shows (Gotham, Jane the Virgin, Designated Survivor) until the Winter break started. Netflix has totally ruined me and I hate waiting week to week. Avoiding This Is Us spoilers and not joining in on those conversations has been so difficult, so you could say I am a little excited to tackle this one.
Lastly, I am doing my first ever reader survey! If you could take a few minutes to fill this out, it would be greatly appreciated in helping me create more content that you love!Â
What are your goals this month?
Also, I know these goal posts are new, so let me know if you like them or not!
Looking to reach your goals this month? Grab TCM's Goal Setting Guide!
YAAAAS GIRL, I see that BossPitch reference! My day today is finalizing printables and uploading content…PUMPED.
You are CRUSHING those goals. Look at all of those checkmarks/cross outs! Also how the HECK do you grow so dang fast on Instagram!??! I swear every time I check you out you’re up another 1K!!! YOU GO GIRL!!
Coming Up Roses
Oh man there is so much that I do! That’s why I have my course! I haven’t been putting in the work though, I normally grow 2000-2500 per month! My engagement has been down too as a result. I am just giving myself a break with it until the new year I think though.
Going to take the survey right now!! Girl, you are killing it over your goals! Congrats!! The summit sounds so nerve wracking but YOU DID IT! I think my goals for Dec…pitch to brands with my new media kit, grow my IG, and find a blog photographer!!
Thank you! Congrats on your new media kit! I bet it looks awesome! Good luck with finding a new photographer too! I know you’ve been thinking about that for a little while now!
Ughhhh I’ve been trying to grow my Instagram for months and I’m still not at my goal! But look at you! Get it!
Alix | http://www.apintsizedlife.com
Haha thank you! You definitely need a strategy with Instagram in order to grow these days. It’s unfortunate but a reality. I am going to revamp my instagram course for the new year and relaunch it though so stay tuned!
Impressive achievement. Well done.
Thank you!
I think these are my favorite set of pictures you’ve ever used. They are so cute and feel more person. Love that!
I am totally jealous that you get to take Erica’s course! I wanted to so bad.
Also, where do you usually go to connect with brands?
Lol thank you! Yeah it was definitely more of an investment than I thought, but i figure the price will only go up and if I make $400 in sponsorships from it, which shouldn’t be too hard, then it’s paid for itself! – I either approach them, they email me, or the networks in my sidebar!
No, I absolutely agree. Unfortunately. I didn’t even have $400 to my name at the time. Otherwise I would have done the same thing!
Great way to get feedback!
Mindy II AMIXOFMIN.COM II @AMIXOFMIN
Thanks Mindy!
AHH congrats on 11K page views, that’s great!! also didn’t know you work at forbes.. that is low-key so cool. keep killin it Rachel x
Haha thanks girl!
Good luck on your December goals. You’re killing it girl!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
Thank you Greta!
i love this! i’m just starting to get back on the goals bandwagon and loved how you broke yours into personal and professional. right now i’m just straight up personal because i need to get my personal life into check a teeny bit more before i even have the space to think about professional goals. love this, though! and i love that mug ;D
Thanks Stephanie! I love how you are prioritizing! It’s so important to set yourself up for success! Hope you find some progress and peace with your personal goals! <3
Ah I love goals posts! You did so well last month, let’s finish out the year strong 🙂
thanks Nicole! Hope you are having fun in NZ! So jealous!
Yes the yoga goal is perfect I love yoga it feels so good and is part of my daily routine!
Thanks Sydney! Do you go to a yoga class or do on-line videos?
I am so inspired by your goals, reached and not! I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with my Friday night, but now I know: set goals for myself! Love your post and your adorable Christmas tree!
Awe thank you Beth! What are some of the goals you came up with for yourself?
I decided to take steps to monetizing my blog. I’m just a newbie at this blogging thing, but I’m already making headway!
these are great goals! If you did it before you can do it again!
Thank you Brigette!
Your goals are so great! You’ve definitely inspired me to set a few of my own for this month. Also, I LOVE This Is Us! It’s such an addicting show.
Your goals are so great! You’ve definitely inspired me to set a few of my own for this month. Also, I LOVE This Is Us! It’s such an addicting show.
I’m definitely trying to grow my Instagram, drink more water and meditate more!
Congrats on not just reaching but exceedingly your goals!
Thank you Bianca!
That penguin ornament is adorable!
Warmly,
Celeste / ohhelloceleste.com
Haha thank you Celeste! It’s one of my favorites!
Love how honest you are on yourself but, we are also the hardest on yourself so, remember that 🙂 You had an amazing year and it shows. You made some tough decisions and it worked out in your favor. Keep charging ahead!
Thank you!
These goals are awesome! You are totally killing it on social media! I so wish I could have participated in Boss Pitch. Just wasn’t in the finances this time. I can’t wait to see how you continue to grow and the topics you write about!
Awe thank you! and thank you for filling out the survey <3 <3 <3 the time investment for that social media growth is something serious though! Excited to see how you grow next year too! Are you planning any content to be scheduled for when the baby comes?
Wow that’s amazing! great job!
Thank you!
Love your amazing post, the pictures are beautiful, thank you for sharing!!!
xxx
http://www.modelonamission.com
Thank you Nora!
Great job on your goals last month! I missed out on Boss Pitch. Hopefully next time I’ll be able to do it! I love watching This Is Us. I need to get caught up as well on my shows. I am thinking this weekend will be the time because it will be raining all weekend. I love doing yoga. I just went to a class yesterday. Talk about relaxing. Good luck with your goals this month!
Thank you Mistle! I just started TIU last night and watched three episodes! I am hooked!
Woah girl you’re a powerhouse!! I am trying to spend more and more time on IG engaging with others and building my feed but it’s hard to build the time into my busy real-life schedule!! Here’s to making that happen more in 2017!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Sounds like you have this under control and the sky is the limit. Glad to see you didn’t forget about your personal life.
I cannot believe it’s already Dec. either!!! Happy Holidays
GREAT job with your page views and social media goals!!
Way to go on those pageviews! Definitely a good idea to network with other creators locally in your area, I hope you connect with someone on that. Having local blogger friends is the best!
Wow! You killed it this month. I do something like this too, but I love that you shared it! It’s so insightful. Maybe I need to start sharing my goals too!
Really random, but you are going to LOVE This is Us! I just got caught up this week, as my husband was out late almost every day. I won’t spoil it, but you’ll love it!
Girl. I learn so much from you it is not even funny. You are killing it. Well done!
Hi Rachel,
Just stumbled upon your blog for the very first time. Love the style of this post, funny and very informational/inspiring and encouraging to set some own goals! 🙂
You just have one more reader!
Cheers from London,
xxx finja / http://www.effcaa.com
You have such a cute blog! I love the idea of coming up with goals each much. It’s so important to be working towards something 🙂 congrats on upping your pageviews last month! Best of luck with this month’s pageviews as well! xo, Hannah
http://www.thedailydelicacy.com
Good luck with your goals this month, Rachel! So glad you started doing monthly goals. It’s so much fun, isnt it?
Yay congrats on reaching so many of your November goals! Hope you get to check off more for December 🙂
Wow! You are literally killing it! I’m hoping my engagement on social media will get there one day!
Wow. Congratulations on your success with November goals – you’ve gotten so much done, exceeding your own expectations!! Best of hustle and fun with your December goals. Love your Christmas tree!
I hope you have an awesome time in Utah! I am from there so if you need any suggestions let me know!
Congratulations on attacking and surpassing your goals over the last month! Isn’t it such a great feeling?! I look forward to coming back soon and seeing how you surpass this next set of goals! 🙂
Amazing goals! I’m so glad your hitting so many targets – I need to set some for myself, I think January is a great time to start 😉
You are doing so awesome rockin and rolling on all these goals.
Seriously, you’re such a blogging role model! Cheers to a new month and
new goals!
Great job! If you make your way over to Colorado let me know! Big congrats on a successful Thanksgiving! That can be so stressful!
You are such a go-getter! You did such an incredible job with your rebrand and you are still kicking butt on your goals, I know you will do even better this month!
La Belle Sirene
These are some wonderful goals! You gave me some inspiration for my December goals. Good luck!
Silvia
http://www.lovelysilvia.com