Focusing on my dream

I have thought a lot about my past new year’s resolutions and knew I wanted this year to be different. This year I want to focus on my baking business, and actually stay focused on the goals I have for it. I want to be able to manage my current full time job as a CNA, while also making baking another full time job for me. It has always been my passion to own some sort of bakery business, and this is the year I plan to make that dream a reality.

Although, I have not gone to college for anything pertaining to baking or business, I have a feeling I can make this work. I’ve been baking since I was 11 years old, it was a way to let go of everything going on around me. It is a way to express myself through the baked goods that I make, and that brings me happiness. I have just struggled with staying focused on my goals in the past, and I don’t want to let this slip through my fingers.

I have already made lists of things I want to complete, and when they should be done by. My largest struggle has been putting myself out there, because every time I want to try I convince myself that my work is not good enough. I need to gain the power to not let anything or anyone tell me I am not good enough. I have worked so hard to make these recipes the best they can be. I started a Facebook page, created my own logo, started a business plan, and even made my own vanilla extract; yet somehow I feel like I am still off track. I still have a lot to accomplish in the next month or so, but as long as I continue to work towards my goals I should do just fine.

Sometimes I do feel like I do not want to do anything except lay in bed, but that has had a lot to do with my other job being mentally draining. I have to remind myself, “I do not live to work, I work to live,” because working in the health fields is exhausting, and during these times are especially short staffed. I love what I do, but sometimes taking a day off to relax and refresh is much needed, and well deserved after working 40+ hours a week. It helps keep me motivated and working, as well as having a good support system. Surrounding myself with people who truly support my vision is what I struggled with last year, but won’t let that get in the way this year.

My biggest supporter along this journey so far has been my boyfriend. He has helped make so many key decisions in my menu, logo, what I buy and when I buy it. He helps keep track of all the ingredients I have on hand and what will need to be purchased when I make an order. When I am feeling defeated, he is always there to remind me that I can do this if I put my mind to it. He has come up with ideas to help with marketing and putting myself out there, and is always willing to learn from me even though he doesn’t cook or bake very well on his own.

Overall, I just hope I can manage all my set goals to work towards my big goal of owning my own bakery by the end of this year. Staying focused and on track no matter how unmotivated I am will definitely help along the way. Keeping my positive support and leaving out anyone who doesn’t believe in me will not be entirely easy but I know I can do it.