Taking the Big Leaps in 2014

Today is the last day of the year, and I’d like to remember it as the year when I took giant leaps for The Bright Spot – with lots of wonderful surprises!

The year 2013 saw The Bright Spot move to its new (and permanent) home, experience the thrill of receiving invitations for events and restaurant try-outs (check out my posts on World of Toyota, Frankie’s New York Chicken Wings, Holdak, AirAsia Zest, DADS World Buffets and TGI Fridays), collaborate with inspiring people like Ms. Marilen of 43 Lucy Designs and Ms. Eirene of Eve’s Cakes & Sweets, and best of all: connect with people who share my passion for food, travel, craft items and bargain shopping!

The last one I consider as the most valuable because I can only find purpose in blogging when people find it worth their time to read.  There are still areas for continued improvement, of course, but to be able to do so much this year was already a big achievement for me.

I also realized that I have committed this much to blogging (it’s now my ‘second’ job, hehe!) so if I want keep the momentum up in 2014, then I really must have a plan.

It is for this reason that I signed up for the Blog Your Best Year Workshop developed and conducted by Martine of Dainty Mom.   The workshop was held last December 14 at Le Petit Cheri in Alabang.

We were a group of 13 ladies who participated in the workshop, all of which are passionate about blogging.  I was amazed at how really good my fellow bloggers are, and some of them have already carved a brand out of their blogs – like  Maricel of A Sweet Cottage and Airees of Airees Creates.   Very inspiring!  Check out their blogs to see how they have turned their passions into rewarding activities!

The half-day workshop had us working in groups.  Exercises and worksheets were given which we would then discuss with our group mates, before sharing it to the others in a plenary-type discussion.

As it was my first time to attend a workshop that’s not related to my work, I can tell you that this one made me really nervous!  The homey ambiance and good food at Le Petit Cheri helped very much in relaxing me. How I love their Chocolate Coffee Cream Cake!

It helped too that I was grouped with super kalog ladies, Maricel of A Sweet Cottage and Vanessa, who will start her blog soon!

I learned so much from this workshop.  I liked Martine’s style of providing us with “practical” (as opposed to rigid) tools in planning how to blog our best year (yet).  Actual situations and learnings were shared all throughout the workshop.  Martine also joined in the group discussions, allowing us ladies to ask more specific questions or to clarify some points in our worksheets.

The guide questions and exercise sheets will definitely help in organizing our ideas and blog projects for next year; but it was in listening to the real experiences of real people where I gained the knowledge, tips and guide points that I could apply in my blog.

Here’s our class picture with Martine.

A wacky shot wouldn’t be far behind, siyempre!

What a blissful afternoon it was, shared with 14 lovely ladies (including Martine) who were all so warm and generous of their insights.

After reflecting on all my responses to the exercises and group works, and listening to those of my group mates, I think I have found my blog mission for 2014 and that is to take more big leaps.  It’s a very general statement (for now) and could mean a lot for The Bright Spot.   Taking big leaps could mean collaborating with a jewelry designer for customized jewelry designs that I can also market online (because I also love designing my own jewelry), or featuring a recipe for each month (right now I feature recipes only when I remember to write about them hehe).   Change is always good, and now that I know how to align these changes to my blog mission (and purpose), it makes everything exciting to work on.

So yes, I’m excited about 2014 and what it has in store for me and The Bright Spot!  Let us spread the positivity around!  To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

Thank you, Martine for mentoring us on this fun-filled afternoon!

More information about Martine’s blog workshops and coaching services may be found at her professional site, Martinedeluna.com.

To close my last blog post for the year, let me wish you all a blessed and prosperous 2014!

Enjoy every single moment.
The good, bad, beautiful, ugly,
inspiring, the not-so-glamorous moments.
And Thank GOD through it all.