When I think about January 1, I always feel completely inspired. I know it's a little cliche. It's just a date—a seemingly regular Friday (or Monday or Saturday or Tuesday …)—but no matter how good the previous year was, I'm always motivated to set new goals, try new things or improve upon the foundation that's already there. Sometimes I follow through, sometimes I don't, but either way I always come back for more each January 1. Thinking about all the possibility right before stepping off into a new year is kind of intoxicating!

This year, I decided to choose a word for 2016 and make sure my goals for the year resonated within the word PURPOSEFUL. After four years of running this business and slooooowwwwwllly getting better at balancing my personal and professional life, I want to make sure I'm still moving away from the 24/7 hustle (been there, done that!) and closer to more rest, more deep breaths, more reflection.

I divided up all my 2016 goals into six categories: Business, Family, Financial, Intellectual Health, Physical Health and Spiritual Health (thanks, Nancy Ray, for the inspiration!), and I'll be sharing a couple from each category here, along with my January goals. If you set your own goals for 2016, I'd love to hear/see them! (For real. I'm kind of a nerd when it comes to this stuff.)

2016 Goals

Business

Decide on a software management system
Create a new gallery wall and vendor area in my office
Blog at least 2/week
Continue working towards real office hours (office door shut by 5:30 p.m.)

Family

Set aside one evening a week for a date night with Nathan
See my grandma at least once a month :)

Financial

Complete our Emergency Fund
Give $50 to a new (to us) charity each month

Intellectual Health

Read 25 books (this has been my goal for the last couple years, and I always fall just short of 25. Hoping to stretch my mind even more this year!)
Develop a morning routine
Declutter each room in our house and give unwanted items away (technically I guess this falls under "Organization" but it's also good for my mental state ;) )

Physical Health

Stretch for 10 minutes every day
Drink 2 water bottles a day (I am not a natural water drinker [is that a thing?] so I really have to work at this one!)

Spiritual Health

Do Savor devotional every morning
Refrain from scheduling Sunday morning sessions so we can attend church at least 3/month

[My little family, with whom I want to spend my most PURPOSEFUL time. Cartoon portrait by Lili Di Prima.]

January Goals

Read three books (Scary Close by Donald Miller, All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and The Very Picture of You by Isabel Wolff)
Start experimenting with a morning routine each day (even if it doesn't look the same morning to morning this month is for figuring out what works for me!)
De-clutter our kitchen
Start designing our travel wall in our dining room
Review all the items in my closet and make sure they still have purpose
Unsubscribe from junk e-mail
Delete old e-mail folders that I don't use anymore
Complete my business tax documents
Experiment with two software management systems
Create a portrait session guide
Talk with an industry friend about potential work on my website