Oh October. I've gotta' say, I'm very excited for you. Lots of good things happened in September, but it was tough and bitty. Now, things can properly start and I can't wait. The biggest thing that's happened is that I've started my new permanent job as Marketing Co-ordinator for a sixth form College. Which means that I now officially get a permanent pay check each month. You wouldn't think this to be such a big deal. But coming from someone who hasn't had a consistent pay check in months, it is!

Setting goals at the start of the month is a great way to align my work with the things in life that matter to me the most. Plus, sharing them with you motivates me even more to complete them, and I love reading about the goals you set for yourself too. Today, we're diving into how I got on in September as well as the goals I'll be working towards during October.

Behind-the-Scenes: My Blog & Life Goals For October 2015

How I Got On In September

1. Plan and Rearrange My Blog Categories

Yes, yes yes! Now, I finally feel like this blog is going in the right direction. Having categories for your website is so important. It gives you focus, direction and is a great way to help you with your editorial calendar.

With all the business and blogging advice out there right now, it started to feel overwhelming. I was writing what everyone else was writing. So I'm still going to keep social media as a category on ABOH, because it's my day job - I'm confident about helping you with that. I'm bringing more Career posts back in because you always seem to like those. And I'm also going to bring more articles in that focus on personal issues. A few of my blogging friends were talking about this on Twitter recently. This is supposed to be a community for conversation, which has always been important to my online presence.

I've yet to go through ALL the posts on the blog and assign them to new categories, but we're definitely getting there.

2. Start Living In The Now

Done. Tick. And it's all thanks to working hard and getting the job I'm now in. It's helped me focus on the moment I'm in. I know that when work finishes, it finishes. I know that when I'm watching GBBO and Doctor Foster with my mum on a Wednesday night, that's our time. I know that when Tom takes me on a secret adventure, that's our time. I am feeling much more content with where I'm at. It's important to remember that you don't have to rush things. The best things in life take patience and time.

3. Get Back Into Photography

I've definitely tried my best to do this. Photography isn't my strongest point, but I do love documenting my life through images. I try to take a picture of something every day, whether it's Maisy being silly or we're visiting a new place. It's taking me time to fit this into a part of my routine, but I'm getting better at it.

4. Completely Hijack My Bedroom

Not done. Not in the slightest. I kept on top of it, but didn't give it the clear out it really needed. September really happened! One week was taken up preparing for the biggest interview of my life, there were birthday celebrations, my brother went to uni - we can't do everything. And that's OK.

1. Completely Hijack My Bedroom

Yep, I'm bringing this one over because it's got to be done. The only way I can describe it is that my bedroom doesn't flow. This month, now my routine is sorted, I'm going to dedicate a day (or two) to getting this task done.

2. Journal Every Day

With my journal, I used to just write about what had happened each day. I found that this wasn't really fulfilling me. Then I found these writing prompts and everything changed. They've helped me to start journaling in a really magical way. It's something I want to keep up every day during October.

3. Start My Secret Social Media Freebie

So I definitely know that I want to create a great offer for when (yes when ;) ) you join our community - you can do so here. And I've decided that the original idea still links really well with the overall core values of ABOH. So I'm not going to set myself the goal of finishing it. Just the goal of starting it. Baby steps. That's the way forward.

4. Keep Up To Date With Twitter Chats and Facebook Groups

I don't know about you, but there are so many awesome Facebook groups I'm a part of, and so many Twitter chats I want to take part in. But honestly - where does the time go?! This month, I'm making a pact to take part in a couple of Twitter chats each week, and check Facebook groups ideally once a day. If you want me to give you a list of ones I'm a part of, just hit me up.

Now, onto the review.

BLOG

I almost kept up my schedule of posting 5-6 times a week. A lot of bloggers I admire in this industry have recently switched up their schedules and embraced slow blogging - where you post less often, but they're very detailed posts. I'm definitely more natural at writing longer content. But I also know that these bloggers built up the successful online presence they have by starting off with blogging almost every day. So to build up my reputation and presence online, 5-6 times a week is my goal.

Three Most Popular Posts Of The Month:

15 Reasons You Aren't Getting More Followers On Social Media (+ How To Fix It) - this was also the most popular post of last month
101 of the Best Sites Online Right Now (Part 5)
Why I Unfollowed Almost 90% of Blogs on My Bloglovin’ Feed – and You Should Too

SIDE PROJECTS

I'm still writing one article a month for Launch & Hustle. It's been hard to find a decent amount of time to write for Career Addict this month, but hopefully I'll have another article up next week. There's also another project in the pipelines that I'm really excited to start writing regularly for. I've bookmarked a lot of other freelance work to have a look at, so this month, I'll hopefully find the time to go through and apply for some more.

WORK

I said in last month's goals post that I'd found the perfect job. It's true. I absolutely love it. After a design task, presentation and two interviews, I got it. My family said they'd never been more proud of me. And when I think about it, I'm actually really proud of myself too. It was the hardest application process I've ever experienced, but I came through it at the other side.

So what am I working as? My title is Marketing Co-ordinator - I help to oversee marketing for a sixth form College. I'm responsible for social media, e-newsletters, website content, creating publications, and I also get to go into high schools and chat to the students about their choices for A Levels. So not only do I get to work in the industry I love - marketing, social media and writing - I'm also in one of the best education establishments in the country. Not too shabby!

FITNESS

So my fitness regime kind of went by the wayside this month. I still got a good few workouts in, but not as much as I usually do. You know when something kicks off that just takes up all of your time? That's what happened. Everything else had to wait, but it paid off. Now my routine is sorted, I can start exercising 4-5 times a week again and get back on the Fitnessblender train.

LIFE

September was one busy month with something happened every weekend. Weekday nights have been spent either watching Breaking Bad, GBBO or Doctor Foster. We spent one weekend celebrating my mum's birthday, and the next weekend we took a trip to the theatre to see The Sound of Music (wow). Then last weekend, Tom and I celebrated our two year anniversary. Let's hope we have as much fun this month!

Thanks for reading, friends. Come on then – what are your goals for October? Leave a comment and let me know!