I heard the other day that in Chinese medicine, the year is split into two elements and the new energy takes effect from 4th February. So the whole of January is still under last years energy - giving us a whole month to reflect on the previous year and get a clear idea of what we want from 2019. Many people find this feels like a much more natural transition and if you are one of these people then I am with you!
So 2018 taught me…
…I’m a people person - I’m not designed to be behind my phone screen all evening every evening, it’s not good for my mental health … or my relationshop (!) - which is why in 2019 I’m playing to my strength and upping my workshops and 1-1s so I can help more clients. Riffing off other go-getting business people is where I thrive - and it means I can support more clients!
… I’m a creative through and through - I have an aim of dabbling in a new craft - last year it was making a lampshade, this year it was calligraphy and making my very own wreath and in 2019 it’s learning to mosaic! If you’re a creative and looking to launch your own business - 1 of the best reads of 2018 for me was ‘My Creative (side) Business’.
… To spend time with those who:
Get you, and get what you’re trying to achieve
Are your cheerleaders
Make you feel amazing when you’re with them
You know you give back to when you’re with them - be it advice, a smile of a cuppa!
… It takes 3 weeks to break or make a habit - mine in 2018 was a night time routine - I have finally cracked it and my skin (and feet!) are thanking me for it!
… To be confident staying in my own lane - supporting small businesses with a purpose and high achieving women in business.
… I love to write - I’ve recently been doing some web copy and blogging and that is my happy place! So for 2019 my mission is to journal and make things happen through my writing!
… There are a lot of fish in the sea (what?!) My New Year’s Resolution for 2018 was to try out a different fish each week and master the art of cooking it - I still haven’t go through all of them from my fishmonger!
… The importance of networking - be it online or offline - people buy from people and connecting on a human level with people both in the present and from your past can mean surprising phone calls out of the blue from great referrals!
… To make your family and friends your cheerleaders - I loved doing a 1-1 with the National Council for Outdoor Learning the other day thanks to my husband mentioning me at a conference he attended!
… Reading is key - Anyone ever read something and later that week it crops up somewhere else? reading nurtures the mind … and more importantly gets me away from a screen! So first up in 2019 is ‘Becoming’ Michelle Obama.
… I’m an auditory learner as well as a visual learner - so often you’re pigeon holed at school as one or the other but this year I discovered I actively learn from podcasts.
… De-cluttering your wardrobe really does de-clutter your mind - this year I sent boxes of stuff to the charity shop that I’ve hoarded for years on the off chance it’ll fit again or I’ll have an occasion to wear it to - but in truth every time I see it it makes me depressed I don’t/can’t wear it - by de-cluttering, I’ve condensed my wardobe and I’ve loved my personal mission to wear all of the stuff that’s left - along with injecting more colour into my life as I feel a physical uplift when I pop on a colour in the morning!
… Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is take a break. As a small business owner this means you pay for it - but it was one of the best business decisions I made in 2018.
And lastly… but most importantly 2018 taught me that I can be a Mum of 2.
That there really is enough space in my heart to love 2 boys totally and equally.
Forever.