Even though we’re already “supposed” to have our resolutions ready to go in January, I always think this time of year is less about the nuts and bolts of personal financial decisions, and more about reflecting: what went well the past 12 months? What can be improved upon going forward?
This is always about more than “just” money (because everything is…) and more about understanding the integration of decisions around money and how it affected other goals. For example, I didn’t prioritize exercise the past 12 months…I’m not going to berate myself; just accept that I made a choice to do more meetings, less personal time. But now “more exercise time scheduled” is a non-negotiable for 2015.
What sorts of decisions have you made the past 12 months where you can see how goals, personal desires and money intersected? Or didn’t?
Behind the scenes gratitude
If you’ve read my stuff for any amount of time, you know I love-love-love Mint. Well, it finally loves me back! I was asked to do an interview for them last month (I sort of see this as a first date…maybe we’ll build up to more, but I don’t want to look desperate, so be cool…maybe tweet or FB share or Google+ it if you feel so inclined) :o)
At the core, I am an introverted loner. Yet as a business owner, I can’t ever allow myself to go it alone. I have a vision for where I am going, and as I become less of a hermit and put myself out there more and more, I find I need people to support that growth. Here are the people who have been invaluable to me the past 12 months, and I expect will continue to be my rocks going forward:
EntreLeverage. My virtual assistants and so much more…April keeps my business running with tech and systems organization and Melissa is my virtual confidant and cheerleader (in addition to writing better emails than I could ever hope to!). To reduce it to the tasks they perform doesn’t fully encompass the peace of mind and momentum their support affords me. They have freed me up to think even bigger about my business.
Gibson Bookkeeping. Christy took over after my last bookkeeper mysteriously disappeared off the face of the earth. Never a misstep with Christy and her team, and I have complete peace of mind over my books. (BTW, I am really encouraging people to take their business bookkeeping more seriously this year! And Christy is great, but a tad overworked, so I have been people to get started with Stephanie Kennedy of Simplify Your Books.
Have Bruce Write It. Bruce Lee has done a lot for me over the years…he copy wrote website pages in some of the earlier versions of my website, and really was the first person to make me understand that I need to get in the head of my clients to serve them (and write to them) properly. This past year, he was the first person to believe (even before me) that I have a book in me. He dragged me kicking and screaming through a book proposal, which is shelved until I have a bigger audience (and can get an agent), but Bruce will continue to be in my corner, regardless of what projects come.
Small and Mighty Creative. Char and Brian not only make things look pretty on my website and branding, they make sure the coding works as well. This is EXTREMELY valuable to have both skill sets!
Michelle Mazur. Michelle is a speaking expert who helps you craft your message and communicate your “big idea” to your audience more effectively. Public speaking is something that I want to do more of in 2015, and Michelle’s coaching and support through the speech design process gives me confidence that I am talking about things that people actually want to hear about!
Maggie Patterson. Maggie is my “boots on the ground” communications strategist, who has helped me understand how to put my best foot forward, how to best present my message to the world—and helps me identify the best places to present it (she has so much work to do!).
Tara Gentile. Tara is my business strategist and geeks out on figuring out the very best way for me to leverage myself so I can offer more—but only in the ways that support me and exploit my differentiated “Onlyness.” She is launching her Quiet Power Strategy for entrepreneurs; you can check it out here.
B Think Forward. Brigitte Lyons and Maggie Hassler are dragging me kicking and screaming into the world of self promotion. Eek! Clearly, still an area I need to dive into more consistently :o)
Breanne Dyck. Breanne is the person who online entrepreneurs call when they want to master the business of teaching online. Our work will be expanding this year!
Diana Dorell. Diana is my ambassador of woo-woo; over the years she has helped me process a lot of painful things (my mother’s sudden death, for one) to make sure I am clear and present to move forward.
Elaina Brown. Elaina is the person who first told me over ten years ago that I didn’t need to do things like other financial planners. She’s the true instigator of my current life.
Who do you rely on to make your life work? How can you get more support in the next 12 months?
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