Hello and Happy New Year to everyone!
I’m going to be honest with you — 2019 was NOT my favourite year. It was financially challenging, I lost a dear friend to breast cancer, and my oldest daughter was diagnosed with high-functioning autism.
However, when life throws shit our way, we adapt. And I am up to the challenge! I have been thinking a lot about what I want this New Year to be like, what I want to accomplish. Not only that, but it’s the beginning of a whole new decade — a decade FULL of potential.
That said, here are my goals for the coming year:
1. Increase my income to six figures
I know, I wrote previously that how much you earn isn’t your worth and not to judge 
your level of success by that. I stand by that. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shoot for more, that you shouldn’t be financially successful, too.
I have two teenage daughters. One is going off to college next year and the other will be graduating from high school in two years. I want them to have every opportunity and I want myself to have the freedom to do what I want as they go off and begin their adult lives.
I want to travel, I want to enjoy coffee shops and eating out and festivals. I want to enter screenwriting competitions and go to film festivals and screenwriting conferences. I want it all, and there’s no reason I can’t have it.
Of course, this means finding more high-end clients and being paid well for what I do. And that means a rate increase. I haven’t increased my rates in a while, so, it’s about time.
2. Focus on the Feminist Freelancer brand
This year, I want to take Feminist Freelancer to the next level. I am currently working on creating a logo, which I will debut in the coming days. It’s very exciting. I am also working on a series of freelance writing guides.
I figure people will be more inclined to want to pay a little for certain guides that help them with a specific area of their freelancing business than pay hundreds of dollars for a course that covers everything, whether they need it or now.
My guides will allow freelancers to pick and choose what areas they want help with — without breaking the bank. Each guide will be available for less than $10.
Of course, that also means getting back to blogging regularly, so stay tuned for new blogs each week. I’m also contemplating a podcast, but we’ll see. That might be too much for this year 😉
3. Get at least one of my TV pilots noticed/recognized
I love screenwriting and I plan to one day make a career out of it. I can’t begin to express 
the excitement I feel at the prospect of working in the TV and film industry. I am currently working on a workplace sitcom pilot. I also have a one-hour drama pilot I’ll be working on this year, something that will be anthological, similar to the format of Black Mirror.
Even placing in the quarter- or semi-finals in a screenplay competition would be amazing. Having a producer interested in my work would be phenomenal. And of course, I want to build my network in the industry, which I am already doing at a local level.
It’s all so darn exciting!
4. Get in shape
I eat fairly well, although I have to watch my sugar intake. Baked goods are my 
weakness. But when it comes to my physical fitness, I have really let that side. Sitting at a desk all day every day is NOT a good thing.
I had started running again in the fall and was feeling really great. But because my muscle strength isn’t what it used to be, I ended up with a small tear in my left Achilles tendon and tendinitis on the right side.
So, I am starting over, and slowly building up. I am doing a lot of strength training so I can condition myself to get back to running. I want to be fitter, stronger, and healthier by the time summer rolls around.
What About You?
I know, lofty goals for the coming year. But I am game.
Now, what about you? What have you committed to accomplishing this coming year? What is it that you want to do better, start doing, or stop doing? After all, we all need goals, something to work toward. We all want to be better versions of ourselves.
And there is no time like the present.
I would love for you to share your New Year’s goals with me and all our readers. Just go to the comments section below and let us know what you’re up to in 2020!
Cheers, Karen
