Word for this year is.....Intentional

I don't usually follow along with what everyone else is doing, but this year as I read about the words that others were choosing for their year I started to think about what I want this year to be like for myself.   And in doing so, there were many things that I want to happen but without focusing on what I'm doing none of them will be reached.

The word that I have chosen to focus on this year is "Intentional".   When you google it, the basic definition comes down to being done on purpose or deliberately.

Something being planned for rather than as an unplanned reaction.  I liked the synonyms that Google listed with the definition for Intentional and a common element to them seems to me to be centered in "Done on Purpose".   To me that indicates deliberate actions that are taken.

So as I go through this year, I want it to be one of actions that are done with a purpose in mind.  Some of the areas and things that I want to apply this to include:

My Finances and Commissioned Sewing -

I really want to make as much headway on paying off debt as I can over, not only this current school year, but the next year as well.   In order to do accomplish that, I will need to be intentional about using my stash for sewing projects (ok, this is a lot easier to do than it used to be since I live 2+ hrs from the nearest fabric store).  I don't need to buy additional fabric or thread or much of anything for most of my personal projects thanks to the size of my stash and my actions need to reflect that.

In addition, I want to be intentional in growing the custom quilting/sewing business that I have had for several years.  The first step I have taken in doing this is in taking the commission for the t-shirt quilt that I am currently working on.  Once this is done I will actively work to promote this side of my business to help grow the side income.    I also will be intentional in sewing up the commissioned garments that I have here and getting them completed so that I can be paid for them.

One thing that I am also considering is doing a FB page for my business, and will research it to see if it would be a good thing to help the business grow or not.  Other areas of possibility are listing some of the many quilts that I have finished for sale on Etsy or Ebay and then using the funds to help pay down debt or to pay for a vacation this summer.

I'm also pursuing a very PT job possibility as well.   Not necessarily a lot of money from it, but every little bit always helps when paying off debt.  Updating my website will also come into this as well and that is under way at this point.

My Quilt Designing -

I want to continue to grow this aspect of my sewing, not only for what I sew, but also into being able to sell my patterns.  To accomplish this I intend to write up some of my designs and try posting them to Craftsy to sell and see how that goes.  I have one design that I need to get made up so that I can submit it for publication as well.  Still trying to decide what magazine to submit it to as well.   One on-going item is my designing for the Modern Quilts International Block Design Challenge that I have been participating in.

The rest of life -

Being intentional also applies to the rest of my life - work, how I react to people and what they do or don't do, and so on.

It will be an interesting year and I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop and work out.

Have you chosen a word for this year?   If so, drop me a note and tell me what it is.

Gratitudes:
1. My platelet counts are up above the critical level - always a good thing!

2. Second semester has started in school and I've got a new class in robotics - should be an interesting year.