I am so excited to announce that today is my first day in my new role as an Event Marketing Specialist! I have been wanting a change for a long time, and of course God's timing is perfect, so I couldn't be more thrilled to start this new adventure at the very beginning of 2016. 

Last year was an incredible year of "firsts" for me personally and for The Skinny Arm as a business. I started Dallas Blogger Brunch in January2015 with only 4 girls at a brunch table, desperate to make friends in the blogging community- now, after making new relationships and trying some great restaurants along the way, I have to put a cap on how many can attend each event! I'm so thankful to all of the bloggers and restaurants who have made those brunches a highlight of each month. I'm still amazed at the success of the #BeatsandBubbly New Year's Eve party that I planned and hosted just a few days ago! We raised $8000 for a worthy cause and I definitely learned a lot along the way. I'm not telling you these things to brag, but I want to draw attention to the fact that each of the things I accomplished last year were a product of having goals and a vision for the year ahead! I have faithfully prayed over the goals I set in 2015 and asked the Lord for guidance and favor to make them possible! So in light of that, it is with much excitement that I am challenging myself to dream big for 2016!

At the beginning of each year, I set aside one day to vision cast for the upcoming year- personal goals, career goals, blog goals- all of it! For the past two years, I have asked my friend Amanda over at Cultural Concierge to meet with me at some point during the day to help me dream big and keep me accountable to the things I set out to accomplish! 

This year, I'm focused on GROWTH! That could mean a lot of things, but I love this definition: "the process of developing or maturing physically, mentally, or spiritually." I want to do all of those things in 2016. I won't list them all, but here are a few overarching themes for the ways I plan to GROW:

1. Invest in myself- I'm attending the Alt Summit conference in Salt Lake City this month to jumpstart this year of creativity and forward thinking. I have a ski trip planned for February and can't wait! I'll be looking for ways to invest in myself throughout the year, whether it's a vacation or a seminar, I am worth it! 

2. Continue to try new things- last year's trip to Cabo, snowboarding for the first time in Vail, and my running list of Dallas restaurants to visit ensure that I'll never get bored! Each new adventure, even as small as a new taco spot, brings a new experience... experiences are far more valuable to me than material possessions. 

3. Love people well- this one is the hardest but also the most important. I can be successful by the world's standard, but if I don't make relationships a priority, success won't mean anything. Loving people means giving grace when I don't have to, making time when I'm busy, and serving when I want to be served. 

Through the certain ups and downs that are in store, I'm looking forward to growing with you this year!