I started the year writing about the challenges of goal-setting and the need for accountability. I made the commitment to report my progress for goal setting.

Here are the goals and the final progress update for 2021.

Goal 1: Prepare for 2022 by increasing my knowledge base and improving my writing skills.

Strategies:

• Look into new skills that will make me more diverse and marketable
• Find free resources
• Create a “learning” budget I can use on courses
• Dedicate a set time for reading and learning.
  1. 15 minutes at the start of every work day
• Create themes for the month to focus the learning
  1. Repurpose my learning into a monthly blog

How did I do?

-I never set a budget.

-Free resources: I read a few articles.

-Repurposing my learning into a monthly blog: Nope.

Progress: For December, I give it a D. I did do some reading, but there’s no budget or blog writing.

For the whole year, a C because I initially did better about the reading and wrote a few blogs. It tapered off as 2022 continued. I took AWAI’s course and earned their certification.

Goal 2: Reduce my dependence on Upwork clientele while finding opportunities for byline publication.

The majority of my current income stream is from off-Upwork clients. I had a chance at a byline opportunity for an Upwork-source client, but they flaked out. Despite calling me a “great writer” and rating me “5 stars,” I was dropped after writing four trial articles.

Progress: B for December because not scouting for new work outside Upwork.

For the whole year, A-. I landed a big fish client that pays well outside of Upwork. Now more of my income stream is off-Upwork. I still need byline opportunities.

Goal 3: Maintain income stream of <confidential> through 2021. That’s an average of <confidential> per month.

December

I finished the year 163% above my target for the month with no outsourcing needed and a vacation the whole last week.

2021

For the whole year, I was 64% average my target monthly income.

The verdict.

Progress: A . Despite personal challenges, I maintained my monthly target income. My income stream was the best since I began freelancing.

I look forward to setting new goals for 2022.