2018? Where did the last 12 months go? Are you asking yourself the same question?
As we near the end of another year, it’s a great time to reflect on the past 12 months. It helps us to look back at what went well, what didn’t go so well and what we’re taking forward into 2019.
One thing I miss from the corporate world is regular reviews and a chance to look back at our successes and celebrate them. Over 12 months it’s very easy to forget about the wins we had back in January – however big or small.
And from experience, it can help give you some great ideas and help you get clarity on what gives you joy in your business, helps with ongoing motivation and to truly feel empowered in your business.
But how do you reflect and what questions can you use to prompt helpful and useful answers?
I thought I’d share with you my 10 favourite thought-provoking questions to help you reflect on the year and secondly, I’m sharing my very open and honest answers as I close the door to my 6th year in running my own business!
- The most important goal that I achieved this year was….
- What am I most grateful for this year?
- This year I broke out of my comfort zone by…
- This year, I learned the following about myself…
- A big mistake that I made this year and the lesson that I learned as a result was…
- An obstacle or a challenge that I overcame this year was….
- My biggest regret of the year was…..
- I adopted this new positive habit
- If I could change one thing about this year it would be…..
- If I could travel back to the beginning of the year, the advice I would give myself would be…
And here are my very own answers….
- The most important goal that I achieved this year was…
Faced with a decision to either ‘pivot or persevere’ I chose to pivot in my business. I could have kept pushingwith what I had but I made the decision to further niche into marketing and rebrand as a marketing coach and consultant. Not entirely enamoured with how the business coaching space has been developing, and realising the huge need for practical marketing support for business owners. I am so far so pleased that I made this decision and rebrand as Thrive in Business with Sam Dixon.
I re-branded my business and invested heavily into branding, photography and training.
2. What am I most grateful for this year?
I’m so grateful for so many opportunities that I have been given and the number of women who have trust in me and have wanted to work with me. Some of those opportunities continue and some have had their time and already fizzled out. But that’s ok, I take a huge amount of positivity from every opportunity I’m given. I’m hugely thankful for the support I have around me. My family, friends and supporters. They are my combined tribe.
3. This year I broke out of my comfort zone by…
Becoming even more visible. Last year I gave the same answer…but this year I stepped it up a notch. I am my own brand and without increasing my visibility my business won’t continue growing. It’s a fact. And just so you know, when I’m in a new environment, attending a new group, being a guest speaker…the nerves are just the same for the vast majority of us all. But I know, stepping out of my comfort zone is hugely beneficial to me. Next year I’m launching my very own networking group, whereas last year I was hosting one on someone else’s behalf. I wonder what will happen in 2020?!?!
4. This year, I learned the following about myself
I’m stronger than I have ever given myself credit for. My values and beliefs continue to be my guiding principles in business. My opinions and views have grown stronger and more personal this year. Is that what happens when you turn 40? Sometimes I challenged people claiming to be authentic when they were being anything but, and other times when there was a conflict of my values I decided just to cease working with them. I have learned that you can’t control how other people control their own emotions. I take responsibility for all my actions but I’m learning there’s only so much I can do for how someone may or may not deal with my decisions, messages and the way I run my business. It has shown me to have more confidence in myself and my abilities and not to absorb others’ short-falls. I have learned it’s ok for not everyone to like me, love me or want to work with me!
5. A big mistake that I made this year and the lesson that I learned as a result was…
Not having the confidence in myself on more than one occasion to go out and do something by myself. But I am learning and everything I invest my time in energy next year is an evolution of my experiences.
6. An obstacle or a challenge that I overcame this year…
I couldn’t find a local networking or support group to fit my needs and also one that I could attend (most local groups already having business coaches and marketing consultants), so I’ve set my own one up that launches in January! Thrive Together – check out details here.
7. My biggest regret of the year was….
Not listening to my core values on a couple of things. Listening and taking onboard other people’s opinions on what I ‘should’ be doing in my business. Which led to me launching something that I didn’t have my heart in. I got caught up in a sales process and I didn’t know how to stop listening to the irrelevant messages!
8. I adopted this new positive habit…
Time-blocking and saying no. As my childcare reduced from September to just 3 school days a week I need to be super productive and really prioritise what I say ‘yes’ to. And what I say ‘no’ to. Both are going to serve me well until next September when my littlest starts school full time.
9. If I could change one thing about this year it would be.
I’m actually not sure I would have changed a thing. Everything that has happened this year has helped me grow as a person, develop my emotional intelligence and confidence and has ultimately been beneficial to me and sets me up to have an awesome 2019!
10. If I could travel back to the beginning of the year, here’s some advice I would give myself.
Be more confident in my authentic self, become more visible and outsource what I can by asking for help. Invest in the places in your business that are right for you, right now.
Thank you for reading. I’d love to hear any of your reflections. Do join me in my Facebook group, Women Who Thrive In Business where we’ll be chatting about 2018. See you there.
I’m Sam Dixon, founder of Thrive In Business – an experienced Marketing Coach & Consultant to ambitious businesswomen who want to launch, grow and scale their business with flexible marketing support. For a free 30 minute discovery call get in touch on 07972 783 507 or email me at hello@thrivewithsam.com
And if you’re looking for the support of like-minded women, come and join the conversation on my Facebook group Women Who Thrive in Business