Katie Olsen

On setting goals…and making changes

So: 4 years ago…all the way back in 2010, I launched this little piece of the web. Today happens to be Ruffles & Truffles’ 4th birthday, and I’m taking a few moments to reflect on setting goals…and making changes.

I find it interesting to look back on my old posts, and it is one of the great things about having a blog. Looking back to get perspective on where you came from, as well as looking forward to the direction you are hoping to go. When I started Ruffles & Truffles, it was just a fun little site for me. I was a hobbyist and enjoyed sharing the things that were going on in my life.

Then I got a bit more serious. Even though blogging had just been a hobby for me, I thought it was important to set some realistic goals for myself. In the beginning, my first blog related goal was to be a part of an ad network. I thought it would give me a sense of legitimacy in my blogging. I was oh so pleased when I met that first goal, and it spurred me on to dream a little bit bigger. I began doing some sponsored campaigns, and realized that my passion truly was for the blogging world. The next goal: earn enough income from my site to consider it as a “part time job,” if you will. It took a while, but I’ve crossed the finish line in regard to that goal. And I’ve had some awesome opportunities cross my path in the past four years, from working with one of my favorite stores (Marshalls), to meeting celebrity chefs, to participating in a chili cookoff, to hosting a live food demo…just to name a few. The people, brands, and places I’ve come in contact with over the years have been incredible.

But after reaching my “part time job” goal, I had to set a bigger one. The enormous goal that I always thought about, but in the back of my mind I always figured would be impossible. That goal, of course, was to delve into a full time gig with blogging.

…and I’m doing it. This is where the making changes part really comes into play. I wanted to pinch myself when the opportunity to work with the Sunday Supper Movement presented itself to me a few weeks ago. A chance to work with a group that I truly believe in and support…a chance to be involved with the blogging world full time…a job that will allow me to push myself technically and creatively…I was SO in.

And by SO in, I’m not kidding. Within a week of starting with Sunday Supper, I was plunged into the final planning period of the Food & Wine Conference…and ran all of the A/V for the weekend. Talk about diving right in to the deep end! It was awesome. If you’ve been wondering why it’s been slightly different and a littler quieter around these parts lately, now you know why! I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things as my “new life” settles in.

Of course, I would be remiss if I did not give a special shout out to my husband, who always shows me such support and is one of my biggest cheerleaders when it comes to making my dreams come to fruition. I know I don’t tell him enough, but there is no way I would have been able to come as far as I have without him standing by my side. He has truly become a faithful blogger’s husband…

As Ruffles & Truffles begins it’s journey on to year five, I can’t wait to see where things progress. It is absolutely mind blowing to me to realize I won’t be returning to my old job at the end of the summer…and that I have been able to make what I thought to be somewhat unattainable goals into a reality. Funny enough, Sunday Supper has been partnering with American Family Insurance for the past few months for their #ChooseDreams campaign, and I have to say it truly has hit home for me. I am so thankful for the opportunities that have come my way that allowed me to choose dreams and bring them into existence. Does it get better than that? I don’t know that it does.

So, happy birthday, Ruffles & Truffles! Here’s to another inspiring year….

The post On setting goals…and making changes appeared first on Ruffles & Truffles.

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