2015: The Year Of Taking Accountability and Focusing On Quality Over Quantity

Nubby Twiglet | 2015: The Year Of Taking Accountability and Focusing On Quality Over Quantity

This year is about setting intentions…and actually following through with them.

At the end of 2014, I set a simple yet power-packed intention for the new year: to create more. During 2014, I’d felt myself fall into the trap of spending too much time sitting on other blogs and social media and getting caught up in busy work that often filled my days in ways that I didn’t really want to be spending it. Life is too short.

Then, January 1st came. The universe must have heard my intention loud and clear because I haven’t stopped since. Well, I did take a break earlier in the week to make a trip to IKEA — and while killing time with my aunt in a returns line that didn’t seem to budge, we started talking about 9 Star Ki. “This is your year to make things happen,” she said. You’ve been building up to it…it’s going to be a full one.”

I may have said, “I know.” Or at least, that’s what I was thinking.

I spent last year sitting next to a handwritten list of products I wanted to make…and not a single one happened. I collected folders of inspiration and made outlines but actually getting the hard work done? Not even close.

It was my own fault — I didn’t make the time or set priorities. Instead, I jumped from one new client project to the next and traveled the world — both are amazing but I didn’t stop long enough to have this conversation with myself:

“What do you want to do?
Everything on that list.
Okay, then go do it.”

Simple, right?

Nubby Twiglet | 2015: The Year Of Taking Accountability and Focusing On Quality Over Quantity

In the first year of launching a new business, it often comes down to putting all of your time and effort into other people’s brands and that in turn builds your own through word of mouth, exposure and notoriety. It was a good year. But, that list of projects I want to launch is still taped to my wall.

This year, in an effort to create more, I’m going to be blogging here a little less. My focus has always been quality over quantity so I want to do fewer, but higher quality posts that give you more value.

Much of the content here will be the same. Link Love will still be every Thursday. Fridays will still be The Week in Pictures but I want to focus on sharing just 3 to 4 really great shots (quality over quantity once again) and then include a personal story at the end with insight into what goes on over here day-to-day. The real stuff. And then, the most exciting addition is a new column I’ve been planning for the last month — Branded will feature the photos and details of brands I love. I shot photos of many products and shops during my time in Australia and New Zealand that I can’t wait to start sharing with you next week.

I’m still settling into the post-holiday break and trying to find my blogging and work groove….but I’ve been glancing over my shoulder at that list. And by the end of this year, I hope to have a whole bunch of offerings that will make your creative / small business existence a whole lot easier. Good, useful stuff.

Now, it’s time to dig in and create.

My challenge for you is to simply ask yourself what you really want to do with your time. And then, go do it.


Photos: Urban Safari.

20 Responses to 2015: The Year Of Taking Accountability and Focusing On Quality Over Quantity

  1. Sophie says:

    This post couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve been in and out of Auckland over the last 2 weeks and have been trying to get back into filming videos but I’m struggling at the moment. I think the problem is I’m trying to ‘force’ ideas and it’s just not working so I’m stepping back from that for a little while until I feel like I’m actually creating something of value. I’ve also cut back to 3 posts a week (from next week) which feels much more manageable. Again-quality over quantity! xx

    • Shauna says:

      Good for you! Your intuition knows best and if something feels forced, it’s better to hold off a bit until those ideas are flowing. It was so awesome to finally meet you last year and then to get to know you better over Instagram. :)

  2. Megan says:

    I love this, but especially that last line. Sometimes it’s hard to think about that quality over quantity aspect but this was a great, eye-opening post. Thank you for sharing! :)

    • Shauna says:

      It feels like everyone is doing more, more, more. But at what expense? Doing more of something doesn’t mean it’s any better — if anything, the pressure makes the quality go down. It’s a good lesson to learn!

  3. Kait says:

    awesome. stole the thoughts right from my mind and put them into this motivating blog post. and with that, i’m back to work prepping for my new blog launch :) thank you, shauna!

  4. Gala says:

    Love this. Scaling back on blog posts is on my agenda too. At some point, you realise, you can only create so much, and there is only so much time in the day. Might as well put your energy and attention into the things that really matter to you!

    • Shauna says:

      Agreed. It’s about keeping everything going that you love but really putting more effort into the things that you want to explore / try and seeing where they go. It’s exciting to try out the new stuff like digital products.

  5. Lonnie says:

    You are an inspiration! So well organized and focused, and you have done so much this past year really, and it is good to know that even when you travel the world and do other meaningful things, you can still have “that list” as we all do, of things that the soul is wanting us to do.
    I appreciate the last sentence of this post- it is really about figuring out what we really want to do with our time.

  6. Steff says:

    Go Shauna! This sounds amazing – if anyone can find the time, the drive and determination to bring those projects into reality, it’s you!

    I learned so much from your still life and branding sections at blogcademy. I’m now arranging everything in the house into little vignettes. Driving the husband mental. Can’t wait to see what other ideas you bring to life. (I’ve always wondered if you’d end up designing a furniture or office supplies range – doing something in 3D would be an interesting experience).

    Going the opposite way, I’m trying to blog more this year – 3 times a week. Two weeks in and holding strong. Plus two more novels to publish, a month trekking across Peru, and a house to build. It’s gonna be madness, but amazing at the same time.

    • Shauna says:

      You are one driven woman — my head is spinning just reading the list of two novels, a month in Peru and the house to build! That list sounds like the absolute best kind of madness. I can’t wait to hear / see how it all comes together!

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  8. Sarah says:

    This is so exciting, Shauna – and is very much where my head’s at too for 2015. I can’t wait to see what you create, because I know it’s going to be wonderful. xo

  9. Jessica says:

    Fantastic post, Shauna, and one that couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I’ve always felt so much pressure to write a certain number of posts every week, struggling to get them done + working on my other projects at the same time, and inevitably, I’ve always chosen the blog posts and let my projects linger, gathering dust. I’ve actually grown a little resentful about it, which is never a good way to feel about your blog!

    My theme for the year is “joyful, loving growth” which amongst other things means taking on fewer things (here, writing fewer blog posts), but executing them brilliantly – all in an effort to be less stressed, and happier with my work + doing work that excites me.

    Thanks for this post, it’s nice to see one’s thoughts verbalised by someone else! :)

    • Shauna says:

      Good for you! I always think it’s always worth it to spend a little more time putting out content that you’re really proud of — and everyone I talk to about it feels the same. I’m glad you’re making the change — it sounds like great things are going to come out of this shift.

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