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April 1, 2019

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Let's get you a message so tight you can bounce a quarter off of it. Around here, we serve up science-based storytelling strategies the creative set.  Even while raking in more than 1.26M in agency work since I've been at it, I firmly believe working from a place of rest (not hustle) IS possible—and I want the same for you. Words matter. Best be sure they work (and oui, with math) ... and know how to party while they're at it. 

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Reading time: 6 min.

Time again for a Powersheets review!

I’ll level with you: In my dream world, I’d have kept up my streak of monthly goal posts (see below). Instead? This is my FIRST goal post of 2019, and I’m learning as a brand new mama to let things go!

And all God’s people said amen. 😉

My word for 2019 is “emerge.” I want life to come into view as a mother and as a wife for the 2 boys I get to hang out with each day. As a business owner, I want to step out and try a few things—client work fulfills me deeply, but my head is a neverending idea machine … so I want to emerge a bit as an entrepreneur, too.

See related: John Talmadge’s Birth Story

A quick thought on goals. This is nearly my third year blogging them. I wrote about why I started them here—I spend hours in thought on goals to have an outline of the year I want to live, even if it twists completely. <— Like last year, when “pray about getting pregnant” became oh, that just happened a few weeks into 2018. I’ve found that if I set goals—which I do using Powersheets—I end the year more proud of the progress I’ve made, books I’ve read, and woman I’ve become.

More posts in this series:

 

There are some dreams and ideas from the past few months and maternity leave that I’m not quite ready to share, but what I DO want to share is for 2 reasons: 1) selfish accountability ???? and 2) for you to see how a very scatter-brained, former perfectionist dreams up her days.

When I was stuck in very perfectionistic, anxiety-ridden days, it helped me to see how a few women loosely held their days with grace-filled goals.

My prayer is that it helps you as well, should you need that.

I’m swimming in an ocean of ideas for my business—simultaneously hearing the Lord press into me to hold all of this with an open hand. “If you tell me to walk away, I will,” I pray constantly. Learning to build His kingdom over mine? Daily construct.

But more than ever, I’m excited for a year of learning how marriage, motherhood, and entrepreneurship weave together.

Let’s go!

(Interested in the workbook I use to set my goals? They’re called Powersheets–check them out here!)


Powersheets Progress: March Recap

What 3-months of PAID maternity leave (as in—90% logged offline completely) was really like as an entrepreneur? I feel like I could do a whole post on this!

I’m learning to love motherhood day by day. Heading into work has been both easier and tougher than I expected—I didn’t breastfeed past 6 weeks (John Talmadge out did what I could supply … and I just kinda hated it!). For now, we’re going with having a nanny in the home until he’s old enough for mother’s morning out a few days a week. That’s been tough—our house is 2,700 square feet and very “echo-y,” … I hear everything! I’m getting my first ~real~ office as we finish the over-garage space this spring, and I cannot WAIT.

John Talmadge Ashlyn Carter of Ashlyn Writes-22

At a babies & books event at The High Museum in town, Wes & John Talmadge, and our daily walk 🙂

Physically, I’ve realized that working out means long walks with Tal in the neighborhood after work—waking up at 5 a.m. to head to the gym isn’t in the cards with a little one waking us up during the night.

“I simultaneously want to do a ton of new and exciting things in my business and want to scale it back so I can be home with the girls more. Oh, the life of a mama entrepreneur. This is where I beg God to help me know what to do,” Nancy Ray said one time on her blog.

(Sidenote: Does anyone else blog binge? That’s one of my favorite things to do when I find an online “mentor” … click back through the deep cuts on their blog and really get to know the person!)

That’s what March was for me. Coming back from precious, sleepy mornings of Warby Parkers and PJs into realizing I gotta bring home some bacon for our household to run started mid-March.

Here’s what happened.

Monthly Goals

Plant seedlings & bulbs :: I DID IT! Maybe this is very 30-year-old of me to say, but kicking off gardening is the hobby I never knew I wanted. Lara Casey and Floret Flower resources have been INTEGRAL, and I’ve put sweet Amber Housely’s fabulous garden planner to work documenting my first (and now my second!) year. Tulips from our trip to Amsterdam, lilies, dahlias, ranunculus, sweet onions, and California poppies are in the dirt! Lara is teaching a Gardening 101 class this April online—join me here!

Upload 1 reading a day to my Evernote file :: Ugh. Nope! I typically type up my notes after I read a book (nerdy, but as a writer, this is my craft!), and got way behind during maternity leave. Oh well!

Enjoy The Copywriter Club #IRL :: I went to my favorite second-annual copywriting conference my 3rd day back from maternity leave in Brooklyn. A *little* intense, but it made me feel so “me” after months of singing Itsy-Bitsy Spider!

Go to Asheville as a family :: Check.

Finish my friend Nancy’s Contentment Challenge :: Check!

Write a PR plan for my business :: Nope. We had a team summit for the leadership team (3 of us!) of AW, and that was all I could handle!

Launch updated website copy :: 75% done!

 

Weekly Goals

Read 1 book a week :: Almost! This year, I’ve read:

Move 3x a week :: Check! Mostly walking!
Hold my #FinanceFriday session :: I finally recorded a video on this! Click here to see my workflow.
Read The Chronicles of Narnia to Tal at night at least once a week :: Check!
Send 1 email and 1 YouTube video to my email list :: Check! I also did this every week of maternity leave, which was a HUGE feat, if I do say so myself.
Listen to a Sally Clarkson “Life with Sally” workshop :: I love this membership! If you’re in a stage of life where you’re learning how to be a family that follows Jesus, it’s really great.

Daily Goals

Pray using my journal & have solitude
Read 50 pages
Take my vitamins + meds


Powersheets Progress: April Goals

Monthly Goals

Begin a 2 Samuel Bible study :: I’ve said this on almost every post I mention these, but Jen Wilkin’s free scripture-centered Bible studies ROCK.
Welcome 180 women inside my Copywriting for Creatives™ program :: Eeek! This is my favorite time of the year.
Have family over for Easter or the Masters
Unpack my learnings from my work trip last month
Plant veggies & my back patio planters
Document my new office buildout!
Grow my email list by 4k
Write a PR plan for my business
Either book a massage or take an art class

Weekly Goals

Exercise 3x a week (NOT walking, but something a little more challenging)
Love on one friend, love on one fam member
Do 1 “soul care” thing each week (draw, paint, bath tub, take a dance class, etc.)
Read 1 book a week :: My goals? The Home Edit by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday by Valerie Woerner, Simplicity Parenting by Kim Brooking-Payne and Lisa M. Ross, and Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis
Listen to a Sally Clarkson “Life with Sally” workshop :: I love this membership! If you’re in a stage of life where you’re learning how to be a family that follows Jesus, it’s really great.
Hold my #FinanceFriday session :: I finally recorded a video on this! Click here to see my workflow.
Go on 1 date with Wes

Daily Goals

Pray daily :: I use this Val Marie Paper journal
Do my R2W Wind-up :: Okay, lame, but I named my morning and evening WORK routines. I have routines for morning and evening (FYI—routine means “outline of the dream life” for me … I don’t do every part ever day, but I usually hit close! It’s an ideal to strive after.), aptly called my rest-to-work wind-up and work-to-rest wind-down. Now that I’m back at work, here goes nothin’. 🙂
Do my W2R Wind-down
Take my vitamins + meds
Chug a glass of water when I wake up


Whew. Holding things VERY loosely these days I figure out how my heart can hold loving a new baby AND loving a business at the same time.

Do you blog your Powersheets goals? Post a link below if you do—I love seeing what other women like me are working on!

Reading Time: 7 MinutesReading time: 6 min. Time again for a Powersheets review! I’ll level with you: In my dream world, I’d have kept up my streak of monthly goal posts (see below). Instead? This is my FIRST goal post of 2019, and I’m learning as a brand new mama to let things go! And all God’s people […]

4/01/19

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