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So it’s Sunday night and the last day of the month and it is just unbelievable to me that it’s almost August. I will tell you, I am wiped out! I don’t normally do a recap of the weekend before a post about goals but this weekend was not like most and it’s my blog! I do what I want!
Yesterday was a such a crazy day and to say I end it with a bang is an understatement. Friday after work I went back to my Piloxing class then went out for my best friend Mark’s birthday, I couldn’t get crazy because I needed to be up early for a very long and amazing day.
Part 1 of Saturday
At 9am I left home to travel 2 hours to spend the afternoon celebrating one of my other best friends getting married in October. I couldn’t hang out the entire weekend because back home in Waco one of my oldest friends was getting married at 5:00 pm. So after winning the “Who knows the couple best” game and winning a….interesting prize, I headed out.
I underestimated the distance from Jonestown and my sister’s place because I didn’t get into Waco until 4. I hadn’t eaten that day except some cherries, strawberries and marshmallow fluff flavored lube at my friend bachelorette party so I was starving!
I hit up the Wendy’s dive-thru on my way to my sisters and then got there stuffed my face and quickly did my hair and got dressed.
Part 2 of Satuday
I was basically going to be on time but I ended up getting stuck behind the bride’s horse and carriage! So when I finally got I round it I parked grabbed my gift and card and ran to the door… where the bride was standing with her dad. I stopped in my tracks, “Oh crap.” She saw me and goes “You better get in there.” (Sidebar, I have only met the bride a handful of times, her husband and I grew up together and I have drinks with him and our other friends each Christmas holiday when I go home, so believe me when I assumed that she was going to hate me forever.) I started to run in and broke my favorite wedge :(. So I stood in the back with one shoe on and one in my hand. After the ceremony, I ran out to my car, grateful for the sandals I had in the trunk.
The wedding was great I got to catch up with tons of people including my cousin who I hadn’t seen in a few years.
The groom was so happy and the bride was so understanding and graceful about my entrance.
Part 3 of Saturday
I left the wedding around 9:30 and headed to Austin to see some sorority sisters. Thankfully we decided to to go to Rainy and not 6th street. We didn’t make it out until nearly 12 and right before we got there a few of the people we were meeting left to go to 6th. Luckily my friend Amanda just didn’t want to go because at the end of the night one of my other friends got a call from one of the guys who went to 6th street, he was crying and said he was standing next to the girl who was killed. It’s crazy what is going on in the world. How scary it is. I was reading a report earlier just recounting all the shootings that have happened this year and it’s just disgusting. My heart goes out to the victims family and all the people this hurt. It’s insane, I think of all the times I’ve been on 6th street, how many times my friends are out there. A city that has dedicated itself to acceptance, love, and happiness… it’s just not right.
Now let me get off my soapbox and we can start talking about how I did in my July goals and what I want to accomplish in August.
July Goals
Personal Goals
- Read one book this month.
No, this month I didn’t finish a book but I did start one. I ordered The Boyfriend Game on Amazon and it took FOREVER to arrive. I literally just got it on Friday and with the weekend I had, no reading took place but I did listen to some inspiring podcasts on the drive from How They Blog. I did start the book and plan to read it on my plane ride this week!
- Have a blast at my birthday.
So things didn’t go as planned but I had an amazing time despite those hiccups. I had brunch at Mash’d ($2 mimosas FTW) then went to see Dave and Mike Need Wedding Dates, it was as funny as expected. Then I had dinner at Nappa Flats then we partied like 21 year olds till 5am! Look at this awesome shirt my friend Bea gave me.
- Get everything ready to go for Blogher 16
Accommodations are made! I leave Thursday and am so excited! I just need to pack…the hard part.
- Save up money for my trip.
I was pretty good this month and after I write this post I’m going to figure out how much I have for spending. Luckily they take pretty good care of us food, drink and entertainment wise at Blogher.
- Work on the creative idea I had out at the river house.
I got a little fiction writing done this month which is always relaxing and nice. Taking a break from the constant blogging grind to read and write fiction has been great.
Blog and Freelance Goals
- Have 400 Facebook page likes
395. Not much growth on Facebook this month, even for a small goal. I need to think of some new methods to growing my audience.
- Have 2000 Twitter Followers
2047! I think this is a result of just staying as active as possible on Twitter. While it is a great place for connecting it doesn’t equate to the best traffic.
- Have 645 Instagram Followers
681. I have been working really hard to post more often and luckily there have been a lot of things to post about.
- Have 540 Pinterest Followers
573! This is great. I feel like I haven’t been as active on Pinterest as I should but I have been trying to post great pinnable images.
- Increase my email list by 10 people
I feel like I’m at a standstill here. I get 2, I lose 2. I am hoping that this break will give me time to work on creating amazing newsletters and more awesome freebies for my resource library.
- Create at least one new Resource for my Resource Library
I have been working on some stuff but haven’t added anything yet. In case you missed it I decided to pull back a little bit on blogging to focus on other things like my health and personal life, as well as working to create the best content instead of just churn and burn. I am really looking forward to Blogher 16, I know it will revive me a little as well as getting out of town for a few days. You can read my post, I Love Blogging…Really I Do here.
- Post twice a week.
Well as I mentioned in the above-listed goal I am cutting back and have decided that at least till the end of August I’ll only be posting once a week, unless inspiration just hits.
- Publish 1 post on another site.
No guest posts in July but I do have one set up for August.
- Spend at least 10 minutes a day engaging on each of the above social media sites. That means repinning, responding to tweets of others or seeing what their links are, etc.
I have been working to spend less time on social media but still doing more and my above stats make me feel like it’s working.
- Pick which topic I will use for my first digital product.
I am still very much all about this but have been focusing on other things.
Health and Fitness
- Walk 7,000 steps a day
I am a beast! I didn’t hit ever day but I have done most of them. 🙂
- Track all my meals
I just hit 153 days on my fitness pal.
- Make meals at home 80% of the time or only eat out 4 times of the week.
Since starting my new job I have gotten really good at making breakfast and planning ahead but part of the new bonding experience has been several group lunches. I’ve tried to limit it to only 2 lunches a week.
- Find a kickboxing class near me I can afford.
I joined a women’s gym and I love it. I’ve been going to classes 3 times a week. This months kickboxing class didn’t work with my schedule but I have been going to Zumba and Piloxing.
I am so happy with the way July turned out. Seriously, you have no idea what all has been going on with me this month and frankly it is just a reminder that I’m a badass (and modest too lol). I have a lot to live for, a lot to fight for and a lot to do.
August Goals
Personal Goals
- Read one book this month.
- Have a great time at Blogher 16! Hopefully, see my friend Jorge is LA and follow up with all of the awesome people I am sure to meet.
- Work on the creative idea I had out at the river house.
Blog and Freelance Goals
- Have 415 Facebook page likes
- Have 2100 Twitter Followers
- Have 705 Instagram Followers
- Have 600 Pinterest Followers
- Create at least one new Resource for my Resource Library
- Post at least 5 times this month
- Publish 1 post on another site.
- Spend at least 10 minutes a day engaging on each of the above social media sites. That means repinning, responding to tweets of others or seeing what their links are, etc.
- Update 4 older posts
Health and Fitness
- Walk 7,000 steps a day
- Track all my meals
- Make meals at home 80% of the time or only eat out 4 times of the week.
- Go to a gym class at least 3 times a week.
I am super excited about the new editions to my goals. I have a pretty busy calendar this week so I am really looking forward to getting stuff down and having fun.
candy
What an entrance to the wedding. Sounds like the bride is super cool and understanding. Sucks about your shoe. Nice to celebrate with best friends. Your goal well I believe you have this under control.
Georgiana
Those look like great goals! Pinterest is the ONE PLACE I can’t get followers to save my life, lol. Funny how different platforms just work for different bloggers, and I really wanted to love that one. Happy August!
The Oracle
Dia my lovely! Longtime no hear! I’m glad to see you are thinking big when it comes to your goals. I bet you are taking over the world by now
Emily
The Boyfriend Game? That sounds interesting!! Sounds like you had an amazing weekend 🙂
Dia
Thanks Candy. She was so great. I was mortified.
Dia
I know what you mean about that. It’s like how is she crushing it at xyz but I can’t get a hit lol I guess as long as you find what works for you.
Dia
<3 Thanks so much for the sweet message.
Dia
Haha it’s nothing super serious but a good easy read.
Sophia
I really need to focus on my instagram and pinterest goals more. But you doing a great job on your social media goals.
Annie
Great goals! I love reading these posts. Good luck 🙂
Dia
Thank Annie!
Dia
Thanks Sophia! Good luck!
Amber Starr
What a crazy busy weekend! I’m glad you weren’t at 6th street!
I can’t wait to read about BlogHer! I bet you’ll connect with so many there.
GiGi Eats
HERE IS TO AUGUST!!!!!!! 😀 I am glad you had a pretty good birthday even though things didn’t go according to plan exactly. I feel like that tends to always happen with birthdays though – so at least no tears were shed? 😉
Liz Mays
I’ve been doing ok with the steps too, but I’ve slacked on tracking my meals in the app. You’re inspiring me to do a little better with that!
Alyssa
I’ve tried so many different meal-tracking apps and I can never get myself to stick to it. I get so pumped and follow it for a week and then slip and forget. Bleeehhh!
Lauren
Awesome list of goals and it sounds like you had an amazing birthday! That shirt is hilarious!
EfabulousHB
Being present and accountable for your goals is a great way to press forward and achieve your dreams. Keep doing what you do!
Dia
Thank you so much!
Dia
I’ve had success with my fitness pal in the past. I think the reason it words for me is thinking about it like keeping track oof my bank account and spending….I’m gonna spend 500 calories on that and it takes me an hour and a half on the treadmill to earn that amount…not worth it.
Dia
It was literally the only thing I asked for for my birthday.
Dia
Sadly lots of tears but it’s no biggie, still have so many great people come out and love me.
Dia
It was so amazing last year. I can’t wait to share all the details .
Dia
Luckily part of my healthy eating goals has included a lot of repetition so it’s easy to log food.
Susannah
You’re doing so well with your goals! That’s awesome, girl! <3
Dia
Thanks Susannah!
Jenny
Good luck with your goals this month, girl! I am sure you’ll rock them. Also, so happy that you weren’t on 6th when that tragedy occurred. We were in Austin the weekend before last so that could’ve easily been me too. I just can’t believe it. So glad you’re safe.
xoxo, Jenny
Heather Denniston
I went to BLOGHER last year. it was so fun! I enjoyed it so much fun! I chose BLOGFEST this year and it was a better fit for my niche but both are great!
Lynn
Nice list! I’m inspired to have my list as well. 🙂 I’m thrilled to see your month end achievement blog post. Have fun accomplishing your goals. Go for gold!
Angie Scheie
Piloting…is that Pilates and boxing? And Happ Birthday! It seems like you have a LOT of great things going on. Happy August!
Rachel
Lots of great goals this month – good luck!
Nicole
Cheers to August! Looks like overall you had a great month in July. My biggest goal this month is to continue to stay organized and work ahead on the blog so when I go back to school, everything continues to run smoothly on the blog so I don’t loose any progress I’ve made this summer. Good luck with all your goals this month! XO, Nicole // http://www.empirestyles.com
Kristen from The Road to Domestication
This gets me all kinds of motivated. But then I look down at my 8-months-preggo belly and think…I’m gonna have to wait on goals for a little bit LOL
Renee Alexis
Wow, you really have very elaborate goals there! Good luck on your August goals! I hope you’ll finish them all by the end of the month 😉
GiGi Eats
UGH!!! I for some reason ALWAYS cry on my birthday too!
Kimberly Fairchild
I’ve recently started with tracking my calories/meals with MyFitnessPal and I plan to add in actual exercise soon. I just work so much so the last thing I want to do on my days off is exercise. Lovely goals! I really hope you hit all of them this month. Show ’em who’s boss!
xo, Kimberly
http://www.lifeofkimberly.com
Jen
I love your post, Dia! I love how you broke down your goals. I really need to do that for myself, especially since I’m trying to grow a new business. I’m going to take a page from your book and write all my goals down tonight, lol!! 🙂
Southern & Style
I love that you set and revisit goals every month, that’s a great way to stay on top of things!
xoxo, SS
Dia
I’m glad you are okay. It’s so sad what’s happening lately.
Dia
I loved it this year and last. I’ll have to look into Blogfest.
Dia
Yeah It really a great way to keep myself in check.
Dia
Good luck!!!!
Dia
Thanks so much! I hardly ever go on my day off. I go right after work or it doesn’t happen lol
Dia
We are way too awesome for that Gigi.
Dia
It really helps me to be as specific as possible.
Dia
You get a pass for sure! lol
Dia
Thanks so much Nicole. Good luck this semester and on your goals.
Dia
Thanks Lynn!
Dia
Thanks Rachel.
Dia
All that and dance. Thanks Angie!