In the beginning of December, I invited you to reflect on the year and start thinking about what you want for yourself in 2025. I shared five prompts to help guide you in this process, and promised to share my own answers in the new year. Well, here we are!
What’s on my Highlight Reel?
- Publishing the caregiving memoir, “You’re Not Doing It Right”: Loving My Mother Through an Unpredictable Caregiving Journey
- Getting the opportunity to work on year-long programs with multiple organizations who are deeply invested in their people
- Appearing on several podcasts
- Investing in my own professional development through two retreats and participation in a Mastermind group
- Deepening relationships with clients and feeling truly valued
- Producing 12 episodes of my own podcast
Toughest Moments and What They Taught Me
These are hard for me to share because they are hard for me to admit. But I’d be horribly hypocritical to ask you to dig deep and be vulnerable if I wasn’t willing to do the same. So here goes.
- Young adult children in various stages of their own development moving home completely disrupted my work-from-home life, as well as my state of mind. From this, I’ve learned the critical nature of setting boundaries. I’ve also remembered that if I don’t take my own business seriously and recognize the value of the work, no one else will.
- There is no single moment I can highlight for this next one, but the lesson is clear. I’ve become very resistant to marketing myself. The fear of rejection has crippled my ability to grow this business beyond where I was this past year. In creating guided exercises for clients to use to help them get out of their own way on this, I’ve become clear that I need to practice what I preach on this and do that same work.
- Working with other professionals does not mean there will never be any mistakes. Unclear expectations, unvoiced expectations, assumptions, and not asking enough questions has damaged a couple of significant colleague relationships this year. I’ve been reminded of the importance of keeping very clear lines of communication open at all times. It’s my work as much as it is the work of any leader with whom I engage.
What do I want MORE of in 2025?
- More clients
- More speaking engagements
- More podcast interviews
- More writing–working on a new book!
- More joy
- More confidence in my ability to deliver, to provide value, and to figure out new things not already in my wheelhouse.
- More ability to let go of what I cannot control, which is EVERYTHING outside of myself. To that end, I want more journaling, more intentional mindset shifting work, and more stillness.
What do I need to say NO to this year?
- Distractions from my goals. If I can’t see how The Thing or The Person will help me move in the right direction, I need to say no. This includes projects or engagements that don’t align with my values or that make me feel like I have to shrink myself to be acceptable. Everything else I can think of falls into this category.
What’s One Regular Act of Self-Love that I’ll Commit this year?
I have a few…
- Take better care of my health. I had a scare last year and it has reminded me that nothing is promised.
- Keep writing weekly reflections. They keep me accountable, focused, and still for an hour every week.
- Be kinder to myself. When I notice the head trash creeping in, I’ll stop that story like scratching a record and remind myself of why I know those things are just silly stories.
- Attend more gatherings (conferences, retreats, meet ups) where I can meet new people and fill my own cup.
