I am, not unlike you, dear reader, goal-oriented. I feel that most of us have goals that we set for ourselves. These goals may be personal, professional, physical, or financial, but most of us have a goal that we are working toward. I strongly believe in setting goals, making a plan, and conquering those goals. I genuinely believe anyone can achieve anything they want with a plan, hard work, and commitment. Obtaining said goals may be challenging, but everyone is better off having something to work toward. That's just a bit of insight into how my mind works.
At the start of each new year, I crack open a new spiral-bound notebook and write down my goals for our business. My goals are written on the first page of that year's notebook, and I have to look at them whenever I open the notebook. This is strategically placed to keep my goals front and center in my mind. My yearly soap notebook also holds our soap year calendar, plans, designs for new soaps, scent blends that work, and sent blends I want to try. We jokingly call my notebook The Soap Bible, which is pulled from its storage space and reviewed frequently.
My personal goals are not quite so organized. Most of them are written in random notebooks I store around the house. I have a notebook for menus and recipes, a home cleaning notebook filled with ideas and schedules (which I usually don't adhere to for long), an idea notebook filled with every hobby under the sun I want to try, and a home design notebook filled with pictures, ideas, color swatches, and pages torn from magazines so I can remember rooms I admire and want to replicate. My notebooks are the butt of many jokes between myself and my child. Mock me as she may; she is also a list maker and notebook user.
Although I firmly believe in goal setting, I also firmly believe in appreciating what one already has, where one is on one's journey, and enjoying the path to getting where one wants to be. Appreciating the milestones we meet is essential, but respecting the time it takes to reach those milestones is more important. When I meet a milestone, I remind myself to look around, note who is with me, how I feel, and where I am, and reflect on the steps I have taken to get here. I try to think of it as a mental snapshot. It isn't easy to be mindful, at least not for me. However, as I get older, I realize there are things I want to enjoy, and I don't want to miss.
The first year I went to The Ligonier Country Market, I was new to the world of handmade artisans and live shows. The Bibbed Wonder and I practiced our tent set-up several times before our first market because we didn't want to look like amateurs. This was The Bibbed Wonder's idea. I am pretty comfortable flying by the seat of my pants. Amazingly, we fooled quite a few of the other vendors. Several asked if it was our first show and were surprised when we responded in the affirmative. I remember we sold between $50 and $100 in products. As long as we made our table fee, I would call it a success.
The day we sold $200 in products was a milestone for me. I took a mental snapshot of that day. I was in the car with Eric and Jordan. We were driving on Route 30 as I counted the money in our cash box. It was our sixth market (I think); I called GramBarb and excitedly reported that I had sold $200 in soap. I remember the conversation I had with Eric. It went something like: "Who would have thought that many people would buy my soap? If I can do $200 weekly, that is a nice side income." At the time, soap was just a hobby, but it became a small side hustle. As my sales slowly grew, I realized there could be real potential with my little side hustle.
Fast-forward to 2024: We are now in our 8th year as market vendors; my goal is set just a wee bit higher (insert a wink), we are now doing soap full-time as a family, and my side hustle is our sole source of income. To be transparent, I never thought we would do this full-time. I also never thought I would see the day when the gas industry died out (gas is what my dad did and where my husband worked before he became the soap-making Bibbed Wonder), but we were put on this path for a reason. This scenario reinforces my belief that everything works out how it is supposed to, and all will be well no matter what. Has it always been an easy journey? No. Is it scary as hell? Absolutely! Do I lose more sleep than I am willing to admit? Yes, ma'am/sir. However, is it worth it? Definitely. Do I love it? Most days, yes. Would I change it? Sometimes, I want to fast forward five years ahead to see where we are, but I remind myself to enjoy the journey. I try to remember to take a mental snapshot of milestones. I remember to appreciate where I have been and trust where I am going. When I feel like I am going backward in life, I remind myself that I have always wanted this kind of life, whether I knew it or understood it at the time. I try to remember to be appreciative that I am living my version of my dream.
It's good to have goals, and it's lovely when one meets a set milestone. However, it's most important to remember and appreciate what you already have. Don't become so focused on the end of the journey that you fail to enjoy the path along the way. Take those mental snapshots, bank them in your memory, and revisit them. It's essential to understand and review your journey.
Most importantly, be mindful of each step. I really should take my mental snapshots one step further and write them down while they are fresh in a new notebook. Perhaps I will put this idea on my goals list for 2025. It will be one more notebook for my kid to make fun of, but maybe someday, when I am dead and gone, she will enjoy perusing her mother's random, twisting thoughts. This, dear reader, is a journey you take with me almost daily. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
On this steamy, sultry first day of summer, stay safe, be smart, be mindful, enjoy the journey, take a mental snapshot, and keep washing your hands.
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