In the last run up to the holidays and the end of the year, we can all be feeling a little bit overwhelmed and possibly even a little burnt out.
For many of you, the holidays may be the only time that you take your foot off the accelerator and give yourselves a chance to catch your breath.
For others, you’re looking forward to the quiet period – you’ll finally have the headspace to focus on what’s next.
Will you take an opportunity to acknowledge how far you’ve come in the past 12 months?
I will. And in today’s post I’d like to share my year with you and my goals for the year ahead.
2014 year in review
I started the year off with fear. I had finished working with several people and had one client remaining. After a review of my finances, I was scared shitless. I thought it wasn’t going to work and I’d have to give up.
I laid all my fears, doubts and insecurities on the table over lunch with Mark Leruste, who gave me a kick up the backside and some inspiration to stop moaning and start doing. Immediately I knew that I needed to…
hustle
Hustle became my key word for 2014. People weren’t going to know about me unless I went out there and told them I existed. Regularly. Consistently. Hustling.
I went to a lot of networking events – some targeting social enterprises, some targeting startups, some industry specific ones, and my own monthly meetup. I followed up with anyone I met.
I connected with people on social media and asked them questions.
I continued to write blog posts even when I was anxious no one was reading them.
And I launched a pilot program to gain valuable feedback on the structure of my main program.
what I accomplished
My efforts certainly paid off!
I’m SO, so proud that I have:
- had the honour and pleasure of supporting over 20 entrepreneurs through my individual coaching program and focus sessions
- delivered coaching to nearly 50 graduate students, taking them from no idea to a solid business plan and pitch within a 5-week entrepreneurship program
- encouraged and facilitated peer-to-peer support at 9 Social Sound Offs
- run workshops and talks at Impact Hub Westminster, Bathtub2Boardroom, the General Assembly, makersCAFE, and Social Innovation LIVE
- launched my first e-product, the ClarityKit, to enable people to move from their big dream to an actionable plan in just 50 minutes
- redesigned my website
And…..
I made a profit!!!!
what I learned
All of these accomplishments didn’t come easily. And even when things kept getting better, I still feared that it was a fluke. The biggest thing I learned this year is that the journey is HARD! It tested my patience, my resilience, and my sanity more than once and I’m pretty sure it will again.
Knowing this, I want to give myself permission to turn off when I’m having a bad day, change my surroundings, and pick up again in the morning to start afresh.
who I’m grateful for
Even though I run my own business, I haven’t done it all alone.
Firstly, I’m grateful to my husband for his support and quiet acceptance that sometimes I will be up REALLY early and go to bed really late because I just want to “do one small thing”.
Secondly, I’m grateful for the people who I rely on for things behind the scenes –
- Elisha Cowins, my blog illustrator
- Lulu Kitololo, my graphic designer
- Adam Kayce, my website guy
Thirdly, my various networks of support who pick me up when I’m feeling down, give me a nudge when I’m being complacent, or just lend an ear when I need someone to bounce ideas off of.
A finally, and most importantly, I am grateful for YOU – my readers, my clients, and my supporters. Thank you for being here with me and thank you for the work you do. You give me a reason to get up and do what I do each day!
looking ahead
In 2015, I commit to growing my business. Here’s how:
- continuing my one-to-one support and meetups
- opening a private online community to offer weekly live support
- partnering with at least one more entrepreneurial program to deliver coaching
- running monthly workshops and webinars
- designing a group program for launch in Q4
I will hold myself accountable to these goals and always aim to improve the work that I do.
over to you
What was your best memory from 2014? Share it with us in the comments below so we can celebrate with you.
Thanks for sharing Danielle. It’s always really encouraging to see how others have dealt with challenging times. Hustle is absolutely what has worked for me too!
It’s been great working with you this year – on design but also, in terms of you helping me to gain clarity and move forward with my business. Thank you. Looking forward to more exciting collaborations in 2015. Good luck with your goals!
Oh, and my best memory from 2014? The amazing response I’ve had for the new product line that I’ve been testing over the past quarter.
Hustling has certainly been the mantra for 2014. Over the next two weeks, I’ll be coming up with a new one for 2015. 🙂
It’s been an honour to work with you, Lulu. I really look forward to seeing how you and your product line continue to evolve in the coming months.
Thanks for sharing your journey Danielle, you’ve been an inspiring and successful force and long may it continue. Thanks for your support.
Katie
Thank you, Katie. x