Reflecting on the past year is one of my favorite things to do in December to prepare for the New Year. And I thought this year I would share some of my reflections here on the blog. Here is what I learned in 2024.
Love Never Dies
My Aunt Joeldean passed away earlier this year. It was rough. In talking about her to my life coach, I said, “I LOVED her so much.” My coach corrected me and said, “No, you LOVE her.” She said that even though my aunt had passed away my love for her was still present and always would be. It was not past tense. And that was such a comfort to me.
You Need to Review on Your Routines
This past year I worked with a life coach for a few months. And we’ve uncovered A LOT.
One thing was that I was getting in my own way when it comes to having freedom in my business.
I created a schedule and a routine that worked for a while. But this year it became a struggle to keep up with and I was beating myself up over it and carrying a ton of guilt for not abiding by a schedule and routine THAT I CREATED!
How ridiculous is that? I started working for myself because I wanted freedom but I inadvertently created a cage instead.
Part of this stems from the corporate mindset still showing up that the key to success is consistency, structure, and routines. I felt like If I didn’t have those things I wouldn’t be successful. And I also had a fear of overworking and burning out like I nearly did in 2020, and I felt like those would keep all of that at bay.
I decided it was time to review my “Ideal Day” that I created probably around 2021 and change it up. At that time it was perfect for me, but now not so much.
This time, I wrote out what an “Ideal Day” would include and instead of being so strict with myself about keeping everything on a schedule, I would allow myself to go with the flow of the day.
This is so much better for my mindset as there is no need to feel guilty for not living up to a standard I created. I can change the standard when it no longer works for me. After all, my life looks different now than when I originally created that structure and routine.
I really see now why it’s good to review your routines every so often to make sure that they are still working for you and your current lifestyle.
It had literally been years since I created my “Ideal Day” and I just kept going with it, never stopping to question if it still worked for me. Now, I’m going to be more intentional and set aside time regularly to review my routines and schedule to make sure they are the best fit for me. I’ll probably start with quarterly reviews.
Here is what my Ideal Day includes:
- Time to pray and read my Bible
- Time with my husband Rex
- Outdoor time with the dogs
- Movement
- Writing and reading for fun
- Doing something to bless my home (chores, projects)
- Reflection and planning
Have you ever created a standard, routine, or structure for your business and then beat yourself up for it when you couldn’t live up to it? If so, just remember it’s not you! Those things just aren’t working for you anymore and you can change it up!
It was Time to Update My Definition of Success
In 2020, I wrote that this was my definition of success:
- Not waking up to the sound of an alarm clock.
- Being able to pay all the bills and have money left over to save, keep the fur babies in treats, and do the things my husband and I want to do.
- Having weekends off, unless I choose to work.
- Not having to ask someone else if I can take a vacation or have a day off.
- Working with clients who are passionate about what they do and helping them have less stressful lives.
- Being able to be there for my family and friends when they need me.
And I never really revisited it. But in one of our sessions my coach and I were talking about it, and she asked me if I realized that I already accomplished so much of that success I wrote about. And I hadn’t realized that at all. So she encouraged me to think about a new definition of success and to also take the time to celebrate the successes I’ve had so far.
My New Definition of Success
- Being this kind of wife to my husband, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”—Proverbs 31:11-12
- Being the kind of Aunt to my nieces and nephews that I my Aunt Joeldean was to me
- Being debt free
- Living a healthy life
- Being able to be there for my family and friends when they need me
- Continuing to work for myself and with women who are making a difference in the world
The Lord will Provide
Business was slow for a while this year. So slow I thought about getting a part time job. I had a client who had went back to a 9 to 5. Lots of business owners I follow on social media and podcasts were considering it.
So I started praying about it. It wasn’t something I wanted to do but if necessary I was willing. I continued to pray that God would send me the work in my business but I also told the Lord that if things didn’t pick up after our vacation (a staycation) in August I would find a part time job.
Well… things picked up a lot!
So much that I had to work some evenings and even a few Saturdays. And I was so mad about it!
Until the Lord reminded me – that I had been thinking about getting a part time job. A part time job that would have required me to work evenings and on the weekends. And wasn’t it better to be working in my own business instead of for someone else?! It certainly was!
The Lord provided me with the work. And even when business was slow the Lord provided for us. We always made it and were able to pay our bills and get the things we needed. We never did without. God is good! (Update: when I did my income and expense for 2024, I realized that financially it was my best year yet!)
I Miss Reading
I am a reader. Always have been.
But lately it seems like books – physical ones anyway don’t hold my attention. I know the problem is my phone and social media. I might have a slight addiction to Threads!
Until Christmas vacation, I hadn’t finished any physical books this year and apparently I’ve only listened to two! That is not like me and I don’t like it.
Now, I’ve read two books in the past three days and it’s been wonderful! I have missed this! Missed visiting new place and meeting new characters and having new adventures! I need more of this.
I know I don’t always have time to spend all day reading like I have the past few days but I can definitely read more than I have been. And I can get back in the habit of listening to books too. I like to listen while I’m driving or cleaning but this past year I listened to a lot of YouTube videos instead. Time to get back to books!
I’m sure I could write more and I may come back and add more once I sit down and do some more reflection. But for now this is it— What I learned in 2024. I’d love for you to share one things you learned this past year. Tell me about it in the comments!
