TpT Seller Challenge: Week 2: Dare to Dream

So, once again, this week got away from me, and it's hard to believe that we begin July this week!  But I wanted to take some time to reflect on my personal dreams for the second week of the TpT Seller Challenge.  I saw a lot of awesome ideas from my colleagues on the link-up, so I wanted to sort of split my dreams up into categories.

Admittedly, when I first began selling on TpT, I don't think I set very lofty goals.  I just wanted a way to make a few extra bucks each month.  Now I can see the possibilities, and though I'm not where I want to be, I'm eager to learn more ways to grow my business.  Financial reasons for this are obvious, so I won't belabor those, but there are more reasons I want to grow too...but I'll comment on those a little further down.

First up, my financial goal: pay off credit cards and establish a savings fund.  I want to take my finances more seriously, and doing so means paying off debt and reserving money for those unexpected things in life.  I want to be a better steward and handle my finances more responsibly in the future, and I'm so grateful that TpT has provided an opportunity to help me make that dream more of a reality.  There's still room to grow, but I'm hoping to learn a lot in Vegas next week too!  

Secondly, I wanted to tell you about my heart goal...my professional goal.  Anyone who knows me knows that teaching is not just my job; it's my way of life.  I take it seriously, and I want to help others any way that I can.  Because I serve English learners, I'm aware of their unique learning needs and see that as an opportunity to collaborate with other teachers who are still learning about English learners.  Don't get me wrong...I consider myself a perpetual student, and my kiddos teach me something new everyday, but if I can share what I DO know with those who are looking for meaningful ways to impact their students, then I've greatly expanded my circle of influence.

My third goal is my "me" goal.  I say that because I'm not so good at making time to take care of myself, to sharpen my saw.  I want to be more purposeful with that.  I rarely take vacations, both for time's sake and for finances.  But I'd like to boost my business to be able to reward myself with some time off in an exotic locale each year.  I don't want to contradict my financial goal though, so I'd like to have enough to put into a little vacay fund and pay for my trips outright.  I would love to see places of the world that I've never seen before!

Lastly is my "maybe" goal.  I say this, not because I don't take it seriously, but because I am open to the things that God has in store for my future.  It's been on my heart for a while to adopt, especially to adopt internationally.  But I know that I'm still young and that I might yet meet the man of my dreams.  I could certainly envision myself as an adoptive mom, and I want to align my paths in life so that it can be a reality for me.  TpT would be a great way for me to earn money to put back for that too.  Then, when the time is right, I'll be ready.

Wow, it certainly does make you feel vulnerable to share all those hopes and dreams, but I know I'm amongst good company with the other bloggers doing this challenge too.  I'm thankful for the blessings TpT has brought into my life, and I'm excited to see what's in store for the future.