my 2021 goals | halfway point

2021 is just flying by eh?

Ever since using Notion early this year, I put my (digital) pen to paper and wrote down some of the goals I want to achieve in 2021. Now that we are almost in June, I thought this is the perfect time to do a halfway point check-in of how my goals are progressing...

To start, I organized my goals into 4 categories: social media, personal growth, creativity, and shop.

So, how are things faring?

Social media

Goals regarding my social media platforms, specifically my creator account @thisiseliseyu, and my art account @fruitspoon.art.

Well, you can find me on social to check my exact account size. Progress has been slow but steady. However, to achieve my year-end goal, I absolutely need to step it up in some way. I have begun automating some parts of my social media schedule using Facebook Business Suite + Instagram planning apps, but I find engagement is best when I post in real-time. Still have a ways to go, so if you have any tips for me on how to grow on Instagram that's worked for you, please drop me a DM.

The YouTube channel has been set on the back burner for now - I realized I want to focus my energy on achieving my Instagram goals before I branch out to another platform. So YouTube will have to wait.

Growth

Personal goals to keep me grounded, grateful, and curious. Specifically, I wanted to dedicate more time to slow activities and self-reflection- and getting my finances in check.

I've read 7 books so far (I get most books for free using Libby), consistently been journaling at least once a week, and began investing in stocks and crypto through the Wealthsimple app. I think I'm doing pretty well on the personal front. Benefits? clear head, more emotionally stable, and greater understanding of a healthy financial plan. I recommend implementing these 3 activities in your life as well - it's helped me immensely.

If you're a beginner when it comes to investing like me, and are interested in trying your hand in investing- you can get $10k managed for free with Wealthsimple using my link!

Creative

Since starting my first full-time position, I've realized my passion for design and illustration (which is why I created an art account late in 2020), and set the goal to spend more time exploring my creativity. Out of the 4 categories of my goals, this is definitely the one that needs more time dedicated to it. But, here's one of my favourites that I illustrated recently.

My creativity comes in waves, and it's not something I can force in any way. Imagination is something I'm working on, and creativity goes hand in hand with imagination. I haven't really begun my sketchbook goal yet, but I am currently in the process of putting together a graphic design portfolio plan - so in the planning stages!

Shop

Of course, knowing myself and coming from a background of business school, I plan to monetize my art and sell my creations and services online. This year begins my journey to becoming fully self-employed in the distant future 🥲 (side note: this has officially become my favourite emoji atm).

This has been extremely rewarding but in unexpected ways. Less so monetary-wise (I've just hit $100 in profit this month), I discovered how much I love the packaging, and packing orders, and putting that personalized touch to every order I pack up. This has been such a lovely addition to my days, and it makes me feel not only closer to my art creations, but also to my supporters - you.

You can find my art here or on depop.

P.S. You can also shop my closet here.

In summation

All in all, I can expand in so much more detail than what I've described here (let me know if you're interested in a deep dive on any of the categories!). But one important lesson I learned while pursuing these goals is the difference between enjoying the process vs. enjoying the end result - the process is more important.

Still, a lot to do before 2021 comes to an end, and now that I've done this audit on my goals, I can see how far I've come already. I now have a fire under my bum to achieve these goals, but also allowing myself to change the goal post as I grow and priorities shift.

If you've read this far - I appreciate it so much.

Good luck with your 2021 goals. There's room for everyone to succeed on this big planet of ours 💙