It was this time last year that I admitted a dream of mine out loud to my husband. I had just finished reading a passage out of Oprah’s book entitled, “What I Know For Sure,” that made me stop in my tracks and truly think about where my life was heading. I came to a part where she tells a story about passing a billboard.  It read, “he who dies with the most toys is still dead.” Basically, if you’re someone who has come close to death you can attest that at the end of your life you’re not going to be thinking about all that extra time you spent working, but rather you’ll be thinking about all those “if only” questions.

“Who could I have become if I had finally done the things I always wanted to do?”

Oprah says it best, “the gift of deciding to face your mortality without turning away or flinching is the gift of recognizing that because you will die, you must live now. Whether you flounder or flourish is in your hands– you are the single biggest influence in your life. Your journey begins with a choice to get up, step out, and live fully.” After reading that passage, I closed the book, set it on the table, and really thought about her message. It made me realize that I don’t want to have any of those “if only” questions.. I want to live my life fully and do the things I’m truly passionate about. That night I told my husband that I wanted to take my photography business full-time within the next year.

I have to be honest with you, it’s now been a year since I had that initial discussion with him and I’m still working my full-time job and doing photography on the weekends. I hadn’t hit my goal of going full-time in a year, but you know what? That’s okay! After having some more discussions together, my husband and I realized that 2016 wasn’t the best time to take Kelly Grace Photography full-time. We still have some things we need to do and accomplish before we are ready to take the big leap.

Now am I disappointed? Of course! I truly want nothing more than to be able to have more time with my family and spend my days doing what I love, but I know this goal of mine is attainable in 2017! Goals are important for me to have because it gives me a vision for my future, makes me accountable, teaches me discipline, measures my progress and keeps me motivated. Over the last few months, I’ve been working on a list of my “attainable” goals that I know are in reach and my “get real” goals (meaning- “Get Real- that’ll NEVER happen!”). It’ll be fun to see what I can accomplish in the next couple years!

With that being said, here are my list of “attainable” goals:

1. Take my photography business full-time in 2017
2. Purchase a new camera
3. Purchase a new lens (or two or three!)
4. Have a wedding published on a wedding blog
5. Learn how to shoot film (and start shooting film during sessions!)
6. Build my social media following
7. Photograph a proposal (Contact me if you this is something you want to do!!)
8. Have an Anniversary session done with my hubby
9. Pay off all debt
10. Book a destination wedding
11. Finish the main floor of our farmhouse!

And then my “get real” goals:

1. Get published in print
2. Book a wedding in Europe (Italy!!)
3. Teach a workshop
4. Be featured on SMP
5. Win Wisconsin Bride’s “Best Photographer Award” (it’s okay- you can laugh!)
6. Visit Norway
7. Write a book
8. Speak at a Conference
9. Photograph a wedding/engagement in New York City/Central Park
10. Be a volunteer photographer at the Sundance Film Festival

So there you have it! My “attainable” and “get real” goals. I’d love to hear what goals you are trying to reach! Let’s hold each other accountable to reach those dreams! Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Photo by Emily Steffen