I subscribe to Seth Godin's blog and he has a lot of great thoughts, many many times. This post was one of those and has intrigued me to reflect on my year for 2010. He states: "This might be a useful exercise. Doesn't matter whether it was a hit or not, it just matters that you shipped it." I plan to do this post both on my personal and business blogs.
Here's a basic list from the 2010 year with some of the highlights in my personal life:
- met my 6 months emergency fund goal this year for both general bills and medical bills
- hired someone to create a fake red brick wall in my living room, something I have always wanted in my house!
- lost my job in August 2010, which in turn taught me I can live on the basics and be very happy
- had my brother here in Texas for one full year and spent time reconnecting with him after 10 years & helping him try to work thru issues
- started the Allergy Shot program after testing last November 2009 to improve immune system
- took a random day off work and spent it being lazy with one of my girlfriends
- had two big garage sales that created enough income to make my house payment
- went and saw The Sound of Music singalong movie
- did the zip line at Beaumont Ranch with a girlfriend
- gave 10% of my gross income to Charity
- read/listened to 2 books a month
- learning there are a lot of things in life you can't fix or change, Let Go
Here's a basic list from the 2010 year with some of the highlights in my business life:
- logo was finalized and stationary produced
- website was launched March 2010
- created a business blog with weekly articles
- started attending Networking events in August, have met some really great business people to refer to and coordinate business with
- was offered and accepted a Board Member position with Cowtown Netweavers
- was offered and accepted Treasurer position with Network for Enterprising Woman
- obtained 3 additional Clients, all which utilize my business services PRN
- business revenue down 15%, with net profits just the same as last year even with increased marketing expenses
- gave a speech 10.22.2010 @Networking for Enterprising Woman on my life
- gave a speech 11.03.2010 @Cowtown Netweavers on What Is Success?
- gave Dave Ramsey's book Financial Peace Revisited to every attendee at the networking meeting on 12.01.2010 @Cowtown Netweavers with the goal to inspire each person to be Debt Free
- gave Dave Ramsey's book Financial Peace Revisited to every Client & Client's staff as a year end gift with the goal to inspire each person to be Debt Free
Seth's suggestion:
"You'll probably be surprised at how much you accomplished last year. Go ahead and share with your friends, colleagues or the web... don't be shy." So I challenge you to do the same!
If that is not for you...try this:
The Simple Dollar, another blog that I follow, suggests:
Think of the five best things that happened in 2010. What were the best things that happened in your life this year? What new relationships did you build? What ones did you reaffirm? What goals did you achieve? What changes occurred in your life that put you in a better place?
I would love to hear your thoughts...please share with me as I have done with you!
Each Year, I create my list of Goals & Resolutions for both personal and business goals, but the last 2 years I started publishing them on my blog also. In 2009 I also did quarterly updates on my blog as to what type of progress I had made towards this goal. In 2010, I only did 2nd quarter & 4th quarter updates. If you wish to review 2009 Goals & Resolutions or 2010 Goals & Resolutions, click on the links, you can search for the quarterly updates too. I had 5 goals in 2009 and 10 for both personal and business in 2010. This year, I am creating only 5 as I felt I had better results with less.
personal goals
#1 create and implement Balance in all areas of the wheel of life (spiritual, physical, intellectual, family, social, career, and financial - each of these have goals within them listed below):
spiritual
begin each day in prayer that God direct me in my path & integrity of my heart; read a chapter or some of favorite verses; remember Sunday is renew your spirit day, no business work stuff
physical
commit to a workout schedule 3-4 times weekly; log into sparkpeople.com daily; resume diet with no wheat, sugar or trans fats - eating lots of raw vegetables; take all vitamins & supplements daily; get 8hrs or more of sleep which means I have a set schedule when I go to bed & when I get up each day
intellectual
read 2 and/or listen to 2 audio books a month, at minimum; blog about each with a book review highlighting my nuggets and take-aways
family
spend an evening every two weeks at the home of someone I consider my family (since I don't have family in Texas)
social
email a few of my friends weekly; call a few of my friends once a month; write my friend in prison once a month; entertain company once a month on Saturday night or Sunday afternoon; schedule a lunch date weekly with a girlfriend
career
focus on building the business with 1-3 new clients in 2011 (more on this section below)
financial
pay off 2nd mortgage by the end of 2011; keep budget simple at basics; try to implement the $3 a day/$1 a meal food budget; will resume scheduled savings when more clients or other work is obtained (savings was cut to a minimum with the loss of my job in August 2010)
#2 motto for the casa: A Place for Everything & Everything in its Place (borrowing a quote from the Pottery Barn catalogue a few years ago)
which means organize, cull, condense, minimize, sell or use up things in & around the casa - attack a section of a room for 15-20minutes a day; weekly list items on eBay & Craigs List.
#3 lead a quiet life, one that creates peace; remove anything that doesn't contribute to this
#4 Think on Good Things...don't be negative
#5 Schedule one weekend a month off - just for me, creating me time or fun plans
business goals
#1 obtain 3 new Clients this year with the goal of one a quarter
#2 complete design of business marketing materials: postcard & brochure by February 1st, 2010
#3 Home Office remodel will be completed by mid-January 2011
#4 enroll in accounting courses to further education -spring 2011; take a course in Microsoft Office to learn more about graphs and pivots
#5 review EntreLeadership materials quarterly for refreshment & encouragement (rehearse, execute, review); check in with EntreLeadership friends to motivate, encourage, gather ideas, share and cheer each other on success; review & define motivation, delegation, responsibility, accountability, and authority in my position so that I have a clear picture in view to stay focused on what I expect of me & my team
This is a great week to give thanks for things, people, and events in your life. Recognize the wealth you have in relationships, health, beautiful surroundings, and spiritual hope. And no matter what is happening in your job/life right now - approach the New Year as a new beginning. Maybe now is your time to simply give thanks for a new opportunity.
