If I knew I wouldn't fail I would...

Today's post is inspired by a post that Lisa from Market Your Creativity did a few years back.

Our fears can hold us back from doing the things we want. A lot of times we feel that we are not good enough or creative enough and therefore we are scared to unleash our potential. We constantly beat ourselves up, thinking that somehow we should be more, do more, be better, because we don’t measure up in our own mind.

I'm definitely one of those people that are constantly questioning themselves and their worth. I don't think I'm good enough (most of the times!), and even though I have many creative ideas, I'm scared of failure.

When I saw Lisa's post, I was instantly inspired to create a list in my bullet journal, where I'll write down all the things that I'd love to do but I hold myself back from. I didn't want to create a big list of things straight away. I wanted to give more thought to it, and treat it as a spread that I can go back to from time to time to either get inspired from, or to add more things to it. So, for the time being I've only added 3 things that I know I'd really love to do but I don't feel good enough.

So, if someone came to me and told me that I could do anything I wanted and it would definitely be a success, then I would...

• Lead a live workshop on bullet journaling
• Create a handwriting course
• Become a freelance graphic designer

How about you? What would you do if you knew that failure is not an option? Please share in the comments below :)

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18 before 2018

Goal setting is a very important part of my life. It keeps me focused and it gives me purpose. After doing the 17 Before 2017 goal setting last year, I decided to repeat it this year as well. It is a concept that I've seen in Kara's and Lisa's blogs. It is an end of the year goal-setting challenge, where you look back at what you've accomplished during the year so far, and see what needs to be done before the end of the year. So, if you want to finish 2017 strong, what better way but to create 18 goals to accomplish in the time that's left (no pressure there!)

Even though I didn't manage to finish all of my 17 before 2017 goals, I loved the concept because it put me in the right frame of mind. After going through all the sections of my life and what needs to be done, I've managed to narrow it down to 18 goals that I'd love to finish before the end of the year. I tried to keep things under perspective, but to also be more daring and ask more from myself. 

In this blog post, I'm going to share with you all my goals that I want to achieve before the end of 2017. So, let's get started!

#1. Clean Diet

For the past 3 years, I've been taking care of myself and my body, being extra careful of what I eat and drink. However, the past 3-4 months I just let go and didn't really care of what foods I consume. That has resulted in me feeling sluggish and, as you'll see in goal #2, for the kilos to just pile up. This is my chance to start fresh, and take care more of my body. My clean diet means that I eat as much fresh produce as possible, avoiding dairy, soft drinks, meat and sugar. I allow myself to eat fish, but most of my diet is based on veggies and fruit. I've already started this  way of eating since September 4th, and I'm already seeing the difference in my body. :)

#2. Lose 8kg by Christmas

I admit it.... I had too many desserts and enjoyed some amazing food during this summer. That resulted in me putting on some weight that I'm just not comfortable with. I really want to start the new year feeling fresh and confident, so I want to make sure that I reach my desired weight by then. The plan is to follow my 'clean diet' and make sure that I eat the right portions. Of course, this goes hand in hand with goal #3.

#3. Join the Gym

I'm very lucky to have a mini gym in my basement, where I keep my treadmill and all my weights and mats in order to do the exercises I want. And even though this is very convenient for me, however I don't get the motivation I need to be more consistent and focused on my exercise. Therefore I've decided to join the gym, where I can take more classes and ask for a more professional help with my exercise routine.

#4. Arrange a spa day for me

It's been so long since I've pampered myself...! I think it is very important to treat ourselves from time to time and that's why I put this in my goals - to make sure that I make time for me! 

#5. Read 45 books in 2017

This year I set a goal to read 77 books within 2017. However, I've been very busy and I can clearly see that I won't be reaching that goal. So, I've decided to put things into perspective and set up a more realistic goal for me. I have already read 31 books so far, and I'm planning to read 45 by the end of 2017. I'm sure this is a more achievable goal and that I'll be able to make it. 

#6. Save and buy a new phone 

I've had my phone for 5 years now and I can see that it's not working as good as it should. Plus, with all the time I spend on social media I need a phone with a bigger screen. I'm hoping to save up and buy an iPhone 7 by the of the year. That'll be my Christmas present to myself :)

#7. Do more things that scare me

I'm so used to be locked up into myself, feeling secure in my daily routine. I want to be more daring and add some adventure into my life. I've already started this summer taking small steps towards this direction by saying 'yes' more to invitations and events. I need to go with the flow and allow myself to do more things that scare me.

#8. Re-decorate the living room and the kithcen

I've already done half of the living room and I'm slowly slowly getting the things I need for the kitchen. It's very important to feel home proud and to take care of your house. As a friend of mine used to say to me, 'the way your house looks and feels reflects the way you act and the way you think'.  

#9. Print Photos

Since everything in our lives is digital, I was going through my pictures and I realised that I have more than 10.000 pictures on my laptop and only 3-4 printed in frames!!! So, by the end of this year I'd like to print more pictures and add them around my house, in order to remind myself of precious moments.

#10. Paint kids' bedrooms

As my kids are growing older, they are now having a say about their room decor. It'll be nice to freshen up their rooms, and add some new colours. I'd like them to take part in this project and help along. It should be fun!

#11. Plan Christmas Holidays

Last year I planned to spend our New Year in London and it was an amazing experience. I thoroughly enjoyed going away and I liked the time we all spent together as a family. So, I would like to do the same this year and plan something special for the holidays. I haven't decided yet where to go, but I'm sure I'll come up with something good ;)

#12. Keep in touch with my family more

Since I've moved to Cyprus, I had to say goodbye to all my family and friends. And even though I miss them, I neglect lots of times to keep in touch with them. I'd like to make an effort and call or Skype them more often.

#13. Be more social

Working from home can really make you anti-social while you're all wrapped up in your home environment. Add to this me being extremely shy and then you have a hermit crab! I need to make more friends and go out more. Finding a new hobby, joining the gym etc. will possibly give me the chance to meet more people and make new friends. I also have to make the effort to go out more with my existing friends.

#14. Start making YouTube videos again

I'll admit that I'm not very good at filming and editing. And because I encountered some difficulties the last times I tried to make some videos, I decided to stop all together. But I have so many things and ideas that I want to share with you, that I want to try harder and start creating more YouTube videos. 

#15. Finish my 'big project' by Christmas

This is a top secret project that I've been thinking and planning for a while now, and I'd like to finish it before Christmas. Hopefully, my nerves and self-doubt won't prevent me from actually making it happen. :)

#16. Design and create Christmas products for my Etsy Shop

So many ideas and so little time! I want to be ready with all the Christmas products from now. I know how quick time goes by, and I don't want to find myself in the position that I don't have the time to finish all the Christmas projects. So, I want to start now!

#17. Revamp my wardrobe

Doing some strategic buys can really help you joosh up your wardrobe and make you feel more confident in your clothes. I've already made my list and I want to slowly slowly start buying all the things that I want. Also, during November I'll go through all my clothes and give away the ones that I'm not wearing, in order to make room for the new additions :)

#18. Plan my best year yet - 2018

I want to go through 'Your Best Year 2017' book by Lisa Jacobs again and plan my best year for 2018. Plan all the projects and things I want to accomplish, and make sure I'm ready to start from the 1st of January.

What goals do you want to achieve before the end of 2017? What will you do to finish the year strong? Let me know in the comments below.