My biggest takeaways from 2020 (PART 1) ✨
As I write this, I’m sitting with my laptop, a cup of coffee in hand, cozied up under a warm down comforter.
I look out my bedroom window at the rich grey clouds that can only mean one thing—snow is on the way. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of snow. Anything can happen on a snow day.
There’s a voice in the back of my head that makes it feel like I might be getting away with something.
You know, the very same one that says, “work is supposed to be hard” and “it can’t possibly be this easy.”
As if I’m breaking some sort of “rule” by actually enjoying the process of writing and connecting with you today at someplace other than my desk.
I muse that it’s funny how little we allow ourselves to break the “rules” when we’re the very ones creating them in the first place.
I used to be so attached to the struggle (as if it was required to see results). In fact, this has been a BIG thing I’ve worked on this year—having more fun in my business, allowing the actions to flow with ease, working fewer hours and leaning on my team more. And I credit it ALL to mindset work.
“Old programming,” I think to myself, almost instinctively.
And it’s that shift that makes it readily apparent exactly how much internal work I’ve done this year.
I’m really, deeply celebrating that 2020 was my absolute best year in business. I’m feeling into that and enjoying the experience more and more as the year comes to an end.
And with that, I’m reflecting on the biggest mindset shifts that made that possible. This year held its fair share of lessons for me (though, I think it’s fair to say that it did for all of us).
While I’m damn proud of the revenue I brought in this year (and am for sure popping champagne 🍾🍾🍾), I’m more proud of how I showed up for myself this year. How willing I was to shift my mindset again and again and again…
So much so that I’m convinced that I never would have had this big year in business WITHOUT the mindset work and the lessons along the way.
I feel like I’ve grown into a different, better version of myself and for that (and as cheesy as it sounds), I am deeply grateful.
And I want the very same thing for you, wherever you are in your journey in life and business, whatever lessons this year has held for you, whatever you may be working toward in the new year. I want you to have the mindset you need to show up consistently in your marketing, generate leads, and close sales. I want you to build a business you absolutely LOVE, one that is profitable AND fulfilling—and therefore makes your life just THAT much better! ✨
So for the next two weeks, I’m sharing my biggest takeaways from 2020 (in two parts because we all know I tell a long story 😂).
I trust that there is someone who needs to hear these words today because what I have found to be true is that the challenges that one of us faces, most of us face. I believe that sharing these takeaways will serve you deeply to make 2021 your best year yet!
Cheers to the lessons learned and the ones still to come.
You’re stronger than you think you are
YOU, my dear, are stronger than you think you are. I’m absolutely sure of it.
And here’s how I know…
Because you’ve made it through this year that was absolutely filled with ups and downs, unexpected curveballs, and necessary (even if not at all enjoyable) shifts in both life AND business.
And you’re still here, lessons learned, changes made, and stronger than EVER.
You’ve shown yourself yet again, that you CAN do hard things. WE can do hard things.
Earlier this year, my 3-year old puppy was suddenly diagnosed with a bacterial infection that affected his spine in 10+ places and I had to make what I believe was the hardest decision of my life to say goodbye to his sweet soul.
I was absolutely devastated.
And in that moment, I felt like I would never truly feel whole again. I cried tears until there were none left to cry.
And in those moments of heartbreak, I wondered how on earth I was going to carry on, let alone show up for my business.
I thought it would break me.
But the truth is—feeling those feelings only made me stronger.
It showed me that those feelings wouldn’t break me. I would be ok.
And that lesson has helped me to build the business in a big way.
So often we avoid taking action in our business because of the feelings they evoke—fear, uncertainty, embarrassment, and so on.
I had my best month in business that very same month and I credit that to how this experience showed me that I could handle even the most difficult emotions, allowing me to take more action and put myself out there in new ways.
I know 2020 has brought it’s fair share of obstacles, but even if nothing else—I hope it has shown you that you are stronger than you think you are and THAT is going to serve you so, SO well in life and business.
The business actually does BETTER when you don’t think about it all the time
Weeks after we said that rather sudden goodbye to my puppy, I had so little brain space to devote to my business.
I tell you this because I talk a lot about the wins, but I think it’s equally important to talk about the challenges (so you know you’re not alone and truly every single business owner experiences them in some form or another).
During that time, I focused the majority of my energy toward supporting existing clients and taking care of myself through the experience of grief and healing.
Some days that meant taking a two hour bath.
Other days that meant going to a friend’s house just so I had a reason to get dressed that day.
And I still cherish the afternoon Brian and I took off to go paddleboarding—feeling the warmth of the sun and the gentle ripples on the lake had such a therapeutic effect.
And through that experience, I devoted so much less time and thought to the business and yet I had my absolute BEST month in business (by a landslide!).
How could that be?
This is 100% a mindset shift.
I found that taking more time away from the business actually helped me to show up better when I was working IN it.
To the point where I even surprised MYSELF.
I was on fire when it came to sales calls. I was so much more IN IT when I was in it. And stepping away actually made me more excited to come back to it.
That was SUCH a turning point for me because it reinforced that I didn’t need to be thinking about the business all the time for the business to see results.
In fact, when I didn’t… the business saw FAR more of them.
Support is EVERYTHING
I can say for certain that I would not have grown the business this year to the extent that I did if it was not for the support that I have.
I am so incredibly grateful for my team (and we’ll get into that below) but more than that I’m grateful for trusting myself to build the team and rely on the support of my team.
Because in all honesty? Leaning into that support can be scary as hell.
I spend A LOT of money on a team so that I can continue to work roughly 25 hours per week, have a business I actually enjoy, and because of that—one that’s sustainable long-term.
So who’s on my team?
✨My amazing business coach that helps me to spot my blind spots, work through fears and old patterns, and show up as my best self in both life and business (all in the most loving way possible!).
✨My social media manager who takes care of social media scheduling and posting so I can stay consistently consistent and get content in front of the people who need it most (PLUS, actually have the brain space to create more of it).
✨My VA who I literally do not know what I would do without. She takes care of the parts and pieces like inviting podcast guests, scheduling newsletters, publishing blog posts, creating graphics, and so much more—so I can focus on the big picture stuff.
✨My podcast editor who does an amazing job on the One Simple Shift podcast week after week after week.
And the not so obvious ones…
✨My incredibly supportive hubby who believes in me and the vision I have for this business, is always down for celebrating the big and little wins, and is a shoulder to cry on when I need it.
✨Our house cleaner because without her I would literally never clean the microwave (or a lot of other things for that matter).
I just cannot say it enough, but team has been EVERYTHING for me this year and has allowed me to grow in a BIG way—not just this year, but an investment in long-term growth as well!
The feelings you think more money will create for you are available to you NOW
For the longest time, I thought that more money would mean less challenges.
It was as if when I FINALLY hit that big income month, a client would never have a rough patch, I would never be pressed for time, I would never again have financial stress or worry, and so much more.
So imagine my surprise when I DID hit it, and none of that proved to be true??
Sure, I was excited. But on the whole, well… it felt pretty much the same.
Kind of a bummer right!?
But here’s why that is such amazing news:
Because it made me realize that I never have to wait to feel exactly how I want to feel. Those feelings are 100% available to me now.
Not only that, but I actually got BETTER at cultivating the feelings that I was after.
Because the truth is, ultimately it wasn’t the money that would create the safety and security I was craving → it was my thoughts ABOUT the money.
It wasn’t the money that would allow me to feel more joy and ease in my everyday life → it was my thoughts about my everyday life.
It wasn’t the money that would rid me of challenges in my business → it was my thoughts about those challenges.
Don't get me wrong, being able to invest in a team does make my life easier, but I also know a lot of people that CAN invest and don’t because of those thoughts too. So it really ALL comes back to that!
Are you with me? Your thoughts CREATE your feelings.
So instead of waiting for the money to come so you can finally feel spaciousness in your schedule, you can take the afternoon off and treat yourself to a peppermint hot cocoa TODAY.
The irony here is that when you start embracing those feelings now (that you think more money will create), the money shows up that much more quickly too. Which leads me to my next point…
You make more money when you’re having fun
Like gravity and electricity, I don’t have to know exactly HOW it works to know that it works (though I will say, I’ve read a lot of books on this topic and it’s something I’m still wrapping my head around).
And I have seen over and over again in my business this year that the money rolls in while I enjoy a great life too.
You see, I’ve cultivated the belief that I make more money when I’m having fun.
And because of that, two things have happened:
1. It’s alleviated the guilt I used to feel when I would step away from my business. I’ve allowed myself to more fully enjoy the experience of having fun when I’m not worried about the business crumbling while I’m away. Spoiler alert: it has yet to—so take this as your permission to borrow my belief and step away to go have some good old-fashioned FUN.
2. My circumstances have lined up with that belief. Seriously. I’ve had contracts get signed and payments come through while I’m on vacation playing TopGolf and enjoying time with my family. I’ve had sales of my money mindset journal come through on a morning when I decided to sleep in so I could better care for myself. It happens again and again in different ways.
So the next time you’re questioning if you can really take that time off or if you’re really “allowed” to have fun AND run this business of yours, check in with your beliefs.
I’ve decided that fun is the goal (what I’m after when I hit the next big income goal) AND the path (aka 100% available to me now in BUILDING the business) and I invite you to feel the same!
The bottom line:
Now this is only part one of two, but overall what I’ve found to be true this year is that business can be (AND IS!) a lot more fun than I was allowing it to be.
That doesn’t mean that this year has been without challenges. In fact, I think I’ve had MORE challenges this year than any year prior. But it HAS shown me my own inner strength and that I can still have fun through those challenges instead of avoiding them entirely.
And again—this has been what's gotten me the results. Not the other way around. If you're waiting to have your best year in business so you can feel good then you're doing it backwards and you need mindset support ASAP!
If you’re ready to step into Future You NOW and experience the kind of life- and business-changing mindset shifts that make it possible to have YOUR best year in business, then grab a spot for a free 30-minute clarity call.
Together we’ll talk about the goals you have for yourself this year and how mindset work is the single most important thing to help you get there.
I have limited coaching spots available and I would love to support you in creating a life and business that is both profitable and fulfilling in the best possible way. 💖
Tell me in the comments below:
What’s one of your biggest takeaways in life or business this year? I’d love to hear!
Photography by Sandstone Creative
