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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / 31 days / {Handmade Business in 31 Days — Day 4, Creating goals.}

{Handmade Business in 31 Days — Day 4, Creating goals.}

October 4, 2012 · 14 Comments
Filed Under: 31 days, blog & handmade advice

Day 4// Whenever I think about the lull, no-change moments in my life I recognize them as moments where I didn’t set any goals. Take our move to California, for example. It’s a more personal example, but I’m trying to offer suggestions with each post that applies to non-business owners, too. Zack + I talked about moving to California over a year ago but the thought of what it would cost us terrified us. We knew we couldn’t afford that plan, so we made no plans at all. Our goal sat unmet because we didn’t tweak it to fit our family. Earlier this year we re-visited that goal and decided to brainstorm some new plans. How could we make this move possible in a way that worked for our family? We got really crazy — choosing to sell most of our things to add to our savings account, and then by bringing less on our drive out there we would be able to travel lighter, adding even more money to our savings account. This new goal plan worked for us! All it took was sitting down to create a goal that fit our family well.

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The same applies to Gussy Sews. With a supportive man by my side I’m able to do so much more than on my own, but this is definitely in accompaniment to having goals set. Working as a team, setting goals, knowing when to say “no” — all are so important. The handmade industry is one tough cookie, and setting goals helps me get through it.

For some of us, we have endless amounts of time on our hands. For the rest of us, we’re on a tight schedule. Neither lifestyle is above the other, but it’s important to know where you are at so you can set the right pace for yourself. Having goals helps guide you to success, in so many areas, it’s nearly insane. But I love it!

WITH GOALS IN PLACE YOU CAN:

  • plan new product designs + updates
  • set a schedule {daily, weekly, monthly, yearly}
  • set time aside for family {hello, having a weekend again!}
  • successfully grow your business
  • say “no”
  • know which areas to improve in // which to continue to nurture
  • and more!

But perhaps creating goals scares you, so if that’s the case allow me to share something with you: the ideas you have when you’re doing other tasks are oftentimes the goals you wish you could accomplish — would, could, should. So with that, what do you think about when you’re cooking dinner? Driving? Taking a shower? Gardening? Cleaning the house? Trying to fall asleep at night? Don’t be shy…!

Take some time to reflect on those thoughts, then jump on making them happen! When you create goals you allow your business {or family} to reflect the dreams you have. One goal Gussy Sews had for a long time was to create an editorial calender for blog post content. I don’t like feeling out of the loop or behind with work, but not having an editorial calender was making me feel this way often. YUCK! Cambria + I sat down one morning and within a half hour had nearly three months of content built. Of course we made room for the unknown to happen {we didn’t fill up every single day}, but having a guide has been incredible. It’s also helped us both feel aware, which is amazing. Accomplishing this one goal has allowed me to accomplish other goals because I know Gussy Sews is succeeding. Such a great feeling!

Homework// Think of creating goals as getting ready to light a candle. They are right in front of you, beautiful + ready to glow. All you have to do is light the match and set it to the wick. What is setting you back from enjoying the glow of creating goals? Right this moment: write down three immediate goals, one monthly goal and two yearly goals you’d like to achieve. Ready, set, light!

read all posts from our “31 days” series

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14 Comments
Filed Under: 31 days, blog & handmade advice

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{Handmade Business in 31 Days — Day 5, How to handle copycats.} »

Comments

  1. Rachel @ Once Upon a Sewing Machine says

    October 4, 2012 at 5:47 am

    I’m loving this series so far. It is a great way to get better focused/refocused as a fairly new launch. Thanks so much, I look forward to continuing to follow it.

    Reply
  2. Courtney @ Journey of a Dreamer says

    October 4, 2012 at 8:53 am

    I’m loving this! I have thought about starting my own business before but never had the know how. Rethinking that now! Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Jenn says

    October 4, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Thank you so much for this series! I’m in my third year of slowly building a business. All this information and advice is so helpful now that I’m at the point where I’m ready to really jump in with both feet. I can’t wait to hear what else you have to say. I’m really hoping to sign up for a mentorship program with you in the new year. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 4, 2012 at 12:55 pm

      @Jenn, woo hooooo! I’d love to chat! :)

      Reply
      • Jenn says

        October 4, 2012 at 5:00 pm

        I’m been thinking about it for months and I think once I get passed the craziness of the holiday season, I will be sending you an email. :) I can’t wait!

        Reply
  4. Emily says

    October 4, 2012 at 10:52 am

    1. Make next sketch this week. 2. Work on website content. 3. Brainstorm ideas for blog content.
    Thanks for doing this series Maggie! I’m really looking forward to each day’s post!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 4, 2012 at 12:50 pm

      @Emily, A++++ great job! xo

      Reply
  5. Jen says

    October 4, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Very much enjoying the series & it’s only day 4!! Yay!

    I LOVE your thinking that your goals are what you think of when you’re doing something else!! It’s so true! I have a long commute to downtown Mpls (it’s cold here today–you’re not missing anything!) & so often my mind wanders to my sewing (and pretty fabrics) & what “someday” I want to do with my Etsy shop. I have great ideas & even plans on how to bring the ideas to life….but then real life happens & I just work order-to-order as they come in & never get around to doing what I think about!!

    I will make some goals Maggie! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  6. erika @ rouge&whimsy says

    October 4, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    making goals and even writing them down… i even bought some business books. for me, this is huge– finally taking steps toward my dreams.

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. {Handmade Business in 31 Days — Day 7, Managing your email.} says:
    October 7, 2012 at 3:01 am

    […] know it’s exciting to see a new email pop up. I get it :) But those goals you set last week, that blog you’re trying to set up, those new products you’re trying to design + […]

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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