A Long Vision: Clarity, Consistency & the Power of Small Wins

Last week, I had a full schedule—so full that when the opportunity came up to chat with long-time business mentor Bonnie Christine, my first instinct was that I might not have time. But then I heard Bonnie’s voice in my head, reminding me of everything she’s taught about being bold, taking “10 seconds of courage,” and pushing through discomfort to say yes to the right opportunities. So I made space, and I’m so glad I did.

We hopped on a 20-minute Zoom call to talk about something I think so many creative entrepreneurs struggle with: How do you take a long-term vision for your career and actually make it happen?

The Power of Believing in Success

One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Bonnie asked:

“What if you try as hard as you can and you succeed? Are you even willing to wrap your mind around the possibility that you will succeed?”

So often, we focus on the fear of failure. But what if we redirected that energy into fully believing in success? Sometimes, the biggest hurdle isn’t the work itself—it’s trusting that the effort will pay off.

Setting Goals That Move the Needle

Bonnie also shared a key distinction: a goal needs to be something you can check off. It should be clear, specific, and measurable.

“I see a lot of people set really big goals that aren’t clear enough. They’ll be like, ‘I want to empower female entrepreneurs to live their best life.’ And like, that’s great, but it’s more of a why—it’s not a goal. A goal is something you can check when you’ve accomplished it, like signing a licensing contract or making $100,000.”

This resonated deeply with me. If we aren’t specific, how will we know when we’ve arrived? Taking the time to define clear goals makes all the difference.

The Role of Consistency & Tiny Steps

One of the biggest takeaways from our chat was how success is built not through grand gestures, but through consistent, small steps.

“Successful people only get there through consistent action. It’s not about knowing exactly how you’ll reach the goal—it’s about focusing on just the very next thing and repeating that over and over again.”

This was a great reminder that we don’t need to have it all figured out before we start. Just take the next step, then the next. Progress compounds.

Motherhood, Entrepreneurship & Time as a Currency

Bonnie and I also talked about the balance of motherhood and entrepreneurship. She shared how, after having kids, she became more efficient with her time because she had to be. It made her rethink how she worked, cut out distractions, and focus on what truly moved her forward.

“I sort of remember those years as really beautiful, but also just kind of keeping my head above water from a business perspective. I wasn’t innovating—I was just maintaining for a couple of years. But almost everyone has something—whether it’s young kids, a day job, or caretaking responsibilities. The key is making consistent progress, no matter the pace.”

As a mom of two little ones, I felt this deeply. It’s not about doing everything, it’s about doing the right things.

Trusting Intuition & Saying ‘Heck Yes’

One of the biggest shifts in my own creative journey has been learning when to say yes and when to say no. Bonnie shared her perspective on this too:

“At first, I was a ‘yes’ girl—saying yes to everything to build my career. Then I became a ‘no’ girl, realizing that every time I said yes to one thing, I was saying no to something else. And now, if it’s not a heck yes, it’s a heck no.”

I loved this reminder that not every opportunity is the right one. Learning to trust your instincts, listen to what feels right, and let go of what doesn’t align is a skill worth honing.

Want to Go Deeper? Join Bonnie’s Free Workshop

If any of this resonates with you, I highly encourage you to listen in on our full conversation above. And if you’re curious about designing patterns for fabric or wallpaper, Bonnie is hosting a free workshop on pattern design now through February 19, 2025. It’s a perfect opportunity to dive deeper into crafting a creative career with clarity and intention.

✨ Join the Free Workshop Here

What’s a goal you’ve been chipping away at, and what’s the very next thing you can do to move it forward? Drop a comment and let’s cheer each other on!

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