Reflecting on January through the end of April

My goal for this year is to increase my gross income by 20%. That might sound like a lot but I actually think it's very realistic. It was a goal I set in December of 2005. At the time I set financial goals for 2 years. I hit my target goals for 2006 and thus far I'm on track for this year.

This morning I sat down and went over my records for the first 4 months of this year. Assuming I don't have any cancellations for this weekend, I am very happy to say that this April is the highest grossing month I've had in my 14 years in this business! A small voice in my head wants to run out and buy myself something to celebrate. But the rest of me, that is so very proud of this accomplishment, insists that for the next few months I must stash as much as possible in the bank. I would love to be able to pay all of my income and social security taxes for the year by the end of August or September. I don't know if that's possible, but if I can do that I will be thrilled!

After I had my son in December of 2002 business plummeted for me. In retrospect I think several things affected it. Part of it was the simple fact that I was a new mother; I didn't have as much time for work as I had the year before. Part of it was the economy. I also think part of it was my reliance, at the time, on other people handling my booking. I take full responsibility for the first and third factors. Having a child was something my husband and I chose to do. Reliance on other people handling my booking was something that I allowed to happen. I've learned from that experience. While I still work with an agent (on occasion a second one books me as well) I feel it's really important for me to take responsibility for what happens to my business and income.

I've been building my business back up for the past few years. Since 2005 I have done some major restructuring and I've raised my rates quite a bit over the past few years too. For 2006 I grossed almost the same amount that I grossed for 2002. It took me 4 years to build business back up to what it had been. I have a good friend who played a very big part in helping me do that. But still it would not have happened without my own hard work and dedication. I am proud of what I have accomplished so far! If I meet my goals for this year, for each of the next 2 years I want to increase my gross income by 10%.

In the middle of writing this I ran into the kitchen for a quick drink and noticed the paper bakery bag sitting on the table. I then reminded myself about the chocolate chip cookie I bought yesterday at Whole Foods on my way home from work. I absolutely love chocolate. This will be my celebratory cookie on a fantastic month of April! However, I think I will share it with my son when I pick him up from school in less than an hour. It's a big cookie and it will taste much better if I share it with him.