My 2016 word of the year was ‘Relax.’ I’m not really sure how well I accomplished it, since I’m a self-professed workaholic. But, because my work and my hobby is one and the same, I could kind of fudge it since quilting really is a relaxing thing for me to do! For 2017 I have a lot of big goals on the horizon I want to accomplish. And they all revolve around one big word:
Learn!
I need to learn how to design on the computer using adobe illustrator. There are some big projects I want to tackle next year that will require this skill. I’ve enrolled in a couple of online courses (Intro to Surface Pattern Design by Bonnie Christine on Skillshare and one from Alma Loveland on Atly.) Plus I just found out my library supports a free Lynda.com subscription so I’ll definitely put that to good use!
The first thing I learned to draw in Illustrator was these raindrops, which was pretty fun. I have a LONG way to go, but I’m tackling it one day at a time. Follow me on instagram @christaquilts to watch my progress unfold as I practice for about 15-30 min. each day.
I also want to learn how to better manage my time. (I’ve already starting putting one thing into practice regarding time management, saying more “no” and less “yes!”) I’ve also begun using Toodledo – a computer and phone app that is basically a glorified to do list. I’m getting in the habit of writing everything down I need to do and breaking it into smaller steps. It’s sort of the same process that David Allen advocates in his best selling book Getting Things Done.
Jason wants to learn how to shoot and edit YouTube videos so we can start offering short video tutorials to help enhance my books, patterns and classes. He’s added a few technical books to his library, including the one he’s studying right now, The DSLR Filmmaker’s Handbook.
Learning a new skill requires practice and patience and lots of extra time. It will require us to be efficient so we can squeeze our study time into our otherwise busy schedules. (It reminds me of when we were young newlyweds in college, but that’s another story for another day!) Rest assured, if and when our independent studies turn into something tangible, you’ll be the first to know! 🙂
If you have a word for the year, or a big goal you’d like to accomplish, please leave me a comment. I’d love to know what it is. Here’s to a fantastic 2017!
Christa Quilts 
Thanks for sharing Christa! My mantra from 2017 is “focus and momentum”. Just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other!
Happy New Year!
Good luck to both of you with your studies. I think we forget how much time we had when we were younger and how we have to actually make time for studying something new. But then again I have found I can always find the time and patience to do something I really want to do. I am sure you have the determination to achieve your goals!
In choosing my word I listed my major goals for 2017 and looked for a word that will help me focus on all of them Personal goals like eating healthier, weeding closets including the stash, finishing UFO’s and generally being kinder and gentler. When I thought about these things LIGHTEN became my word for 2017.
I am the recipient of a new Bernina 770 sewing/embroidery machine for Christmas!!! I am starting classes in February to help me transition from my little 230PE workhorse and learn to utilize all the 770 can do. So excited.
Learn! That is the top of my list with EQ7 and FMQ on my longarm. I also will learn how to improve my blog and increase my Etsy store. My 17 year old will take over the “office” part of the business (bookkeeping, photo shoots, listing on Etsy, to name a few things that take too much of my time!).
Christa, the one thing I learned years ago when I began to work from home has helped me be very conscious of my time management.
“How do you eat an elephant?”
One bite at a time.
This is how I break down my work, personal and quilting goals.
Happy New Year to one and all!!!
Right now my word for 2017 is FOCUS! I think “learn” was what I did in 2016. I am a printer. In 2016 I learned to quilt., including free-motion quilting. We moved in the summer so I learned a lot about selling and buying a house, how to live in an RV for two and a half months with three dogs and work a full-time job! I also picked up crocheting aging after many years (it was like learning how all over again). Now I’m learning art quilt collage. I love to learn and I enjoy all my creative passions! But it seems like I have attention deficit disorder (ADD), because I’m jumping from one project to another! I enjoy taking classes and learning new things but it’s time to start “doing” what I learned so maybe my word for 2017 will be “practice”. Happy New Year!!
I can’t edit my post – correction – I’m a painter (oils, watercolor, and acrylics).
I think my word for the year is ‘adapt’. We bought a better house in a better neighborhood and started moving in and fixing it for a brand new kitchen. Our other house sold right away but it didn’t get to close due to some issues. Now we will try and sell it in the spring. My sweet husband is having memory issues especially when stressed. And obviously he was very stressed these last few months. We live in Il in a St Louis suburb and the cold weather really bothered us so we have made a decision to leave for warmer weather each Dec 1. We are campers and plan on getting away all year long. So I think adapt will be a good word for me and I think learn is a good word for you. Good luck to both of us.
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Hi. This stood right out to me – a word for the year. I don’t do new year resolutions, I never stick to them, but last month I decided to have an idea, a thought, that I would stick to. I can’t really put it down to one exact word, but to show people I care instead of just feeling it, to reach out and connect more personally, to share the simple things in life, because that’s what it’s all about really, isn’t it
When we stop learning were either going to be dead or useless. I’m impressed by how much you’ve learned in such a short time. Keep it up!