The end of March is always an important sign-post for me because it means that we are one-quarter of the way through the year.

It’s a great time to check in on goals since there is still 75% of the year to go and it’s not quite the time to switch over into panic mode over all the things I haven’t completed yet.

So I thought I would offer my quarterly check in and review the goals that I set back in January. If you remember, each goal was aligned with one of five vision statements.

I’ve copied my goals below and added my progress next to each in italics.

Vision Statement # 1: I am a writer, therefore I write.

  • Draft book # 4 (with co-authors): This is super close to being a complete draft and we’ll be working our way through revisions in the second quarter of the year.
  • Complete final production steps for book # 3 and two edited collections: I’m currently working on the first round of redline revisions for book # 3, the page proofs and index for one of the edited collections, and the second edited collection is currently out for review and feedback.
  • Secure contract for book # 5 (proposal submitted Dec 2017): Waiting to hear back from the publisher on this, but my editor has said it’s looking good.
  • Draft book # 5 (with co-author): Not started at all.
  • Market book # 3 when released: Working on some plans for this, but haven’t started in earnest since the book is still several months out from release.
  • Market two edited collections when released: Working on some plans for this, but haven’t started in earnest since both collections are still several months out from release.
  • Market new book series when launched (I serve as series editor): Working on some plans for this with the two series authors, but haven’t started in earnest since both books are still several months out from release.
  • Gather ideas for book # 6 proposal: Not started yet.
  • Continue to write weekly essays for my email newsletter (also posted on The Academic Creative blog): I’ve written essays every week so far this year. In progress.

Vision Statement # 2: I am an academic creative who serves other academics who want to create things.

  • Record additional seasons of the AcademiGig podcast (now Make Your Way) and additional weekly episodes for You’ve Got This, Research in Action & The Anatomy of a Book podcasts: The second season of AcademiGig is releasing soon and I have released weekly episodes for the remaining podcasts each week this year. In progress.
  • Transition ht:a webinar content from 2017 into mini-courses to release in 2018: This is happening! The courses feature of ht:a has launched with four courses so far and I’m working on three more to be released soon.
  • Complete ht:a webinar series year one: This is happening in May 2018.
  • Launch ht:a webinar series year two: This is happening in August 2018.
  • Build the companion website for book # 3: I’ve purchased a domain name and started building this website. I hope to complete it in the second quarter of 2018.
  • Build the companion website for new book series: I’ve purchased a domain name and started building this website. I hope to complete it in the second quarter of 2018.
  • Design and create content for a second online course (topic TBD): I’ve completed a course outline, designed the course goals and learning objectives, started scripting course videos, and started the draft of the course workbook — it’s a monster, so I’ll count myself lucky if I can complete this and launch it in the second quarter of 2018.
  • Be a supportive presence for my co-authors and for the authors writing for the series I’m editing: I hope so! I’m working on it!

Vision Statement # 3: I am an entrepreneur who does business on my own terms.

  • Quit Facebook: Done.
  • Surpass the 2017 revenue for my side business: Won’t know until the end of the year, but I’m on track to at least match last year’s revenue.
  • Have in-person speaking engagements represent less than 50% of 2018 revenue: Currently, this is the case although my pipeline for the year has speaking bringing in close to 50% of revenue so far.
  • Launch new virtual summer writing groups program (more here if you’re interested): Registration just opened for this (and I am SO excited!).
  • Create a marketing strategy for webinar and speaking offerings: I may still do this, but since I’m already booked for speaking through 2018 and it’s still the first quarter of the year, I’m pulling back on marketing these offerings because I don’t have the time for more speaking at the moment.
  • Launch revised marketing for website design offerings: This is another area where I’ve pulled back a bit to prioritize other projects. I may still refresh this by the end of the year, but I’m not sure yet.
  • Increase number of website design clients from 2017: In progress.
  • Continue to engage and form community on social media and online platforms of my choice (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Mighty Networks): In progress.

Vision Statement # 4: I am a coach who serves academics and higher education professionals looking to design their ideal lives.

  • Complete first phase of coaching training: This phase is complete!
  • Apply for and complete second phase of coaching training: This phase starts in early April and will end in September 2018.
  • Log 100 hours of coaching: I’m about halfway there so far!
  • Apply for coaching certification through ICF: This will probably happen in fall 2018 once I meet all the necessary training requirements.
  • Launch revised marketing for my coaching offerings: I updated the PDF that I share with potential clients, but I’ll also be making some updates to this part of my website later this year as well. In progress.
  • Increase number of coaching clients from 2017: Done. I’ve had a lot of inquiries in this first quarter, which has caused me to pull back in other areas to prioritize the coaching element of my business.

Vision Statement # 5: I am committed to my physical, mental, and emotional health.

  • Continue working with personal trainer on building back and core strength: Although I love working with my trainer, I’m taking a break from weekly sessions while I complete the second part of my coaching training since both of these meetings take place in the evenings and I don’t want multiple busy evenings a week.
  • Daily workouts (even if short): Working on this. Although I got disrupted by getting sick in February, I’m getting back to my consistent morning runs.
  • Schedule regular solitude (at least one day per month): I’m reading a lot more in the first part of this year and that has helped me to make sure I’m getting the solitude I need so far.
  • Average 10k steps per day and 7.5+ hours of sleep per night each week: The sleep is happening, but the steps aren’t quite getting there as consistently as I would like since I often don’t run both weekend days. The weekday running does help and I’m still committed to hitting this goal in the second quarter of 2018.
  • Minimum 64 oz of water and eat a salad or drink a green smoothie daily: Water consumption is going well and I’m definitely attentive to eating more veggies, although it’s not always in the form of a salad or smoothie.
  • Read something for pleasure at least once per month: Yes! I’m totally back to reading novels and I’m loving it. So far this year I’ve read seven novels and three non-fiction books (come find me on Goodreads to see what I’m currently reading).

I’ve still got a lot on my plate for 2018, but I feel like I’ve already accomplished quite a bit and that I have a lot of other projects moving along steadily.

I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year brings!

To think on:

  • What is your annual goal progress for the first quarter of the year?
  • What is on your plate for the remaining 75% of 2018?