I’ve Got Big Plans + Goals for 2018

I am a huge advocate about starting fresh and chasing your goals. Frankly, I’m one who’s all about the ‘New Year, New Me’ crap that everyone dreads listening to when January rolls around. The truth is, I always have been. Though no different from your typical weekday, there’s just something so utterly satisfying about getting the chance to hit ‘restart’ once a year. A clean slate, a new beginning, a chance to restart.

I know a lot of people believe, why New Years, why not just start now? And frankly, I kind of agree with them too, but if the opportunity comes across to set new goals, change a mindset, and sit down to self-reflect on the previous year, why NOT go for it; I mean it’s not like you have anything to lose!

So, yes, I do have a long list of goals to achieve, dreams to chance, words to keep in mind, and a running list of things I want to accomplish/do this year and I’m happy about it—plain and simple. Today I’m going to be rambling on about those things so if you don’t want to hear about them, feel free to click out now; I promise I won’t be offended. I completely understand. So anyway, without further adieu, let’s get started!

Blogging Goals for 2018

I’ve got some number based goals, though the number doesn’t mean much in the end—it’s truly about the quality of that number. I’ve got a few long-term goals. And I’ve also got a few scattered goals, simply some things that I think would be pretty darn cool to accomplish this year.

Hit 3,000 Blog Followers

After going self-hosted in April 2017 I really struggled with maintaining a consistent increase in followers, this being for obvious reasons. However, I felt discouraged when I didn’t meet my 2017 blog follower goal. Therefore, in 2018 I want to work harder than ever, updating my email list, encouraging other bloggers in the WordPress community, interacting across multiple platforms to promote my site, and completely diving into increasing the number of people who are genuinely interested in keeping up with me periodically.

Hit 200,000 Blog Views!

I take immense amounts of pride in my viewership here on Styledby, mostly because I am always so shocked to see how many people follow along with my rambling on an everyday basis. I enjoy seeing which countries people are viewing from, which platform of social media they are coming from, and at what time of day most people like to read! I have been quite blessed with my views these last two years and hope to continue growing on my current status, leading me to even greater things in the New Year.

4,000 Insta Followers/Step Up the Insta Game

Instagram is something that I really slack on once school starts up again mostly because I struggle to find the time to maintain my own feed while staying engaged with people commenting and the people I’m following. However, Instagram has always acted as a huge source of inspiration for me so I feel inclined to maybe provide that same source of inspiration for someone else. I plan on stepping up my picture quality, content, and my numbers this year.

350 YouTube Subscribers

I well surpassed my YouTube subscriber goal this past year and hope to really up my engagement on this platform. I have never had a consistent uploading schedule either on YouTube and would love to establish one to help with traction and to pursue my love for talking to a camera as well!

Use LTK.it more/make Blogging a Job!

Something I have always wanted to pursue one day in high school is making StyledbyMcKenz not only my hobby bot a side job as well. This is something I am so passionate about and hope that upping my use of LIKEtoKNOW.it so you can shop my clothing directly through links will help. If you have any tips to help make blogging a full-time deal, send them my way, please!

Work With 15 Companies I Genuinely Support

Last year I surpassed my ten collaboration goal and was so pleased with my work throughout the year. I had trouble setting a number this year but decided that fifteen would be perfect as that would give me about one job per month with a couple extra when I have a bit more time on my hands. I am so fortunate for the amazing opportunities I was given with companies last year and hope that this year brings even bigger + better ones! I truly feel so blessed and excited when working with other brands that believe in me.

Go to a Blogging Event

I know bloggers/YouTubers who attend blogging events like StyleCon, VidCon, NYFW, etc. throughout the year and I feel like this would be such an awesome opportunity to connect with other bloggers and even meet some of my favorites. If the opportunity ever presented itself, this would be something I would greatly appreciate pursuing this year.

Host a Giveaway!

The blogging community has given me so much and I feel it’s finally time to start giving back to you all! Hosting a giveaway through either my Instagram or blog is something I would really love to do this year. What kind of prizes would you be interested in?

Make a Media Kit

Something I’ve wanted to do for a while now for self-explanatory reasons. Need to check this off my list as soon as possible.

Install Photoshop on My Computer

My mom bought me Photoshop Elements a few months back to help improve my picture quality here on the blog and I have yet to install it. I definitely need to check this one off my list soon… it’s about time, lol.

Just a Few Personal Goals (Plus Sort of a Bucket List) for 2018

Find a New Hobby

Blogging is obviously the greatest hobby I could ever ask for but I would love to find something else that I really enjoy too. I’m hoping that maybe sewing will be the one for me; I’d love to learn how to make a few simple garments just for fun. Ooo, or maybe like some serious clothing DIYs to revamp thrifted clothing. Honestly, the options are endless… I’ll have to play around with this one for sure.

Travel to Fifteen States

I put this one on the list every year but have never gotten around to it. I’m hoping between the summer break and needing to look at colleges for both Madison and I that I will be able to check this one off the list this year. Which brings me to my next idea for the New Year.

Figure Out What I Want in Life/Visit Colleges

I’m hoping that researching colleges/visiting a handful of them will help me decide what I want and don’t want in not only a school but maybe in a career setting. I have my heart set on working in the fashion industry, I’m just not sure in which aspect or if I could be destined for even bigger and better things. This goal doesn’t really have a destination I suppose, it’s mostly just a journey kind of goal.

Read More

Another one that I add to the list every year. I’d say this past year I probably read 15 books or so and I hope to keep this going. Reading used to be my favorite thing in the world so I continuously hope to redevelop this love and unplug before bed from the electronics and unwind with a book just like the good ole’ days.

Stop Spending, Start Saving!

You may think that I shop a lot and trust me I do, but then again I save quite a bit too. I typically am very cautious with my money (+ I’m a super smart shopper thanks to all of my Aunt Cath’s and Mom’s lessons) but with college right around the corner, I want to start saving even more plus start depositing money at the end of each month.

Get My License

Driving isn’t my favorite thing in the world and I could’ve gotten my license two months ago. However, it is something I would like to get out of the way for obvious reasons… my test is scheduled so this one will be checked off fairly soon I hope (fingers crossed).

Work Harder Than Ever

I’d like to consider myself a very driven person. The hard work that I constantly poured into my duties last year really paid off in the end which greatly contributed to my happiness. I plan on keeping things the same this year in that aspect. I cannot wait to see how things pan out in the end!

Finish Junior Year Strong + Start Senior Season Off On the Right Foot

So far, I’d consider Junior year of high school my best one yet which is awfully surprising to most people. I hope to keep it that way for the second semester and continue that throughout my Senior year. Agh, it’s crazy to think that towards the end of the year I will be entering my last year of high school, cheering my final game, and competing with the cheer squad for the last time ever; seriously, where has the time gone????!!!

Well, my friends, I hope more than anything that through hard work, determination, and the will to succeed I can accomplish these goals and more! More than anything I pray for a year full of growth in more areas than numbers- in relationships, communities, and in faith. Thank you for contributing to my successes here on StyledbyMcKenz. I owe it all to you! Let me know what goals you’d like to achieve this year; I’d be oh so happy to hear. Hope your 2018 is everything you work for and more. With love, McKenz

Latest Post: StyledbyMcKenz Turns Two!!!
Related Post: Summer 2017 Goals, Aspirations, and a Bunch Of Random Thoughts
Instagram: styledbymckenz // YouTube: McKenzie Morgan // Pinterest: mckenzmorgan