3 MONTHS AGO • 4 MIN READ

☕ morning coffee = FAILED 2025 goals

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Digital Garden Girl

Join 500+ gardeners, green entrepreneurs, and solo small businesses growing online! Every Thursday, I share THE DIRT - a weekly newsletter that digs into online marketing tips and branding tools to help your online business grow like the garden you love.

48 hours into 2025. And I already heard my husband say, "You didn't get that far."

Reader, I woke up this morning to make coffee. Went outside to compost the old grounds. Cleaned out the pot. Pulled out the mugs. Then, 10 minutes later, I was wondering where the coffee was.

I. FORGOT. TO. CLICK. THE. START. BUTTON.

and then I walked away.

And you know what? That's perfectly normal. Taking action - any action - is harder than dreaming up the possibilities.

Funny to think that only a few days ago I had the hopes that my plans (even as small as making morning coffee) would all come together.

Honestly, the weeks leading up to the New Year are dangerous. It's like that perfect moment right before spring planting - full of possibilities and fresh starts. We're all dreaming up what we want to grow in 2025 (and if you're like me, you've got about 47 tabs open with ideas 😅).

But some of us forget to hit the button by Day 2.

Those beautiful plans? They need more than just sunshine and good wishes to grow.

This week on Threads, James (from Atomic Habits), shared this:

Listen, I know your inbox is probably bursting with "New Year, New You" emails right now. (Mine too!) So instead of adding to the noise, let me share what actually worked for me after years of trial and error.

By now, you probably have your SMART Goals in place. If you don't, it's a way to frame your goals to work for you:

  • Specific (like choosing exactly which tomato variety you'll grow, not just "some vegetables")
  • Measurable (think "harvest 20 tomatoes weekly" versus "grow lots of tomatoes")
  • Achievable (maybe start with cherry tomatoes before tackling those tricky heirloom varieties)
  • Relevant (does this crop serve your garden's bigger purpose?)
  • Time-bound (when's harvest time?)

But here's where most of us miss the mark, we forget...

  • to set non-negotiable boundaries to protect your growth
  • to make clear criteria for what stays and what goes
  • to celebrate each win (yes, even the tiny ones deserve a happy dance in the garden!)
  • to press the start button

Here's what to do about it:

  1. Make the goal (with boundaries, guidelines, and rewards)
  2. Pick ONE action that'll get you there
  3. Do it for just 15 minutes a day

Because here's the truth: pressing start isn't a one-time thing. It's showing up every day even when the plans feel overwhelming - just like making your morning coffee.

If you're dreaming of building your dream garden or business this year, I got you!

Let's grow this thing together, one tiny action at a time.

Cam


01. Fresh Seeds: Binge-Worthy Business Strategy

When I asked our community how we're preparing for 2025: 40% are setting goals, 47% are resting & reflecting, 7% are vision boarding, and 7% are planting new seeds.

The hardest part of starting my business wasn't the gardening – it was figuring out the business strategy. From zero to a community of 8,500+, here's what I did.


02. The Branding Bench: Quick Branding Tips

Ready to turn your garden expertise into an unforgettable brand? An intentional brand strategy isn't just about pretty logos – it's your secret to attracting loyal fans, consistent sales, and aligned opportunities. Stop second-guessing and start 2025 with unshakeable clarity (and a free checklist!)


03. A Garden Glimpse: Cam's Happy Place

Before you toss your holiday decorations in the landfill this year, what if they could give your spring garden a head start? From Christmas trees to garlands, discover three sustainable ways to transform your seasonal decor into garden gold.

Chaos gardener confession: This year, I'm trading my "plant all the things" enthusiasm for intentional growing. Living in under 500 square feet taught me to maximize every inch and only grow what actually lands on my plate. No more compost-bound experiments!


04. Meaningful Marketing: How to Grow Online

Your best 2024 content can fuel your 2025 growth. Here's how:

  1. Check your top performers (engagement, visibility, followers - whatever matches your 2025 goals!)
  2. Transform them into multiple content pieces (reels, blogs, graphics)
  3. For each piece, decide: Repeat it? Refresh it? Retire it?

05. Community Corner: Inside Digital Garden Girl

Q: from Miranda

“How can I grow my community?”

A: from Cam

Oh, this is one of my favorite questions! And no, the answer isn't "post more content until your phone battery dies" (though I've definitely been there!) or get outside your comfort zone!

Let me share a framework that transformed how I think about community growth:

  • Vision: Get crystal clear on what you want to be known for. What's your signature style? What offerings light you up? What impact do you want to make? Having this clarity helps you attract the right people into your world.
  • Value: Here's the thing about solving problems – it's not a one-and-done deal. Your community members are all at different stages of their journey. That's why "do with me" content works so well. Instead of "here's what I made for dinner," try "come cook with me from harvest to plate!" Give them steps to wins they can actually achieve.
  • Visibility: This is where your vision does the heavy lifting. You're the guide helping connect people to their goals and each other. It takes about 7 interactions before someone feels ready to join your community, so show up consistently with value – whether through long-form content or quick tips. Don't worry about being everywhere, just be somewhere reliably!

When these three elements work together, that's when the magic happens. You're not just posting content; you're building real relationships that last.


With dirt under my nails,

P.S. WHEN YOU'RE READY, HERE ARE 3 WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER

#1 Ready to build a brand that you love as much as your garden? Grab your FREE 2025 Garden Brand Clarity Checklist →

#2 Learn what your Garden CEO style is in 2025 (and get 6 digital product ideas to help you scale)! Take the 2-minute quiz→

#3 2025 is the year for accountability and community. I'm here to answer your burning questions. Just hit reply and share your goals →

You’re getting this virtual love letter because you signed up for Digital Garden Girl, where I unearth online business strategy (plus weekly garden puns - way better than dad jokes)! Heads up: this email may include affiliate links. I earn a little extra green if you purchase, but I only share the tools I’m truly obsessed with.

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Digital Garden Girl

Join 500+ gardeners, green entrepreneurs, and solo small businesses growing online! Every Thursday, I share THE DIRT - a weekly newsletter that digs into online marketing tips and branding tools to help your online business grow like the garden you love.