I posted this photo on instagram the other day with the caption, “Getting back into work and life flow around here means gathering lots of beautiful things around and creating plans, schedules, and timelines. Can’t wait to share the latest things that are coming!”
I’ve had writing this post on my list of things to do for a couple of days, now. And truthfully, I’ve been thinking it over. Which is ironic, once you read what I have to say. The 2016 year was a tough one for many people, on many levels, including for me and my family. Please, don’t get me wrong – I’m not overwhelmed, and I don’t feel like the year was beyond exceptional – mostly just how life goes. We’ve all experienced lots of growing, learning, and changing – which means challenges and adjustments, flexibility, and always, always working for balance in what we do…
So, I’m writing to share a few lessons I’ve learned and how that’s changed the way I’m looking at my business plans and goals for 2016. If you’re like me, you’ve maybe even heard some of these things from others before – but, let me tell you – when you experience them yourself, it can be totally different ballgame.
3 Things I learned in 2016 that changed my perspective as I plan for 2017:
1.) Don’t plan your path, walk it.
At the beginning of last year, I had done all of this reading from experts that talked about how I should be making this big grand plan of where I was and where I wanted to be, then fill in steps in between to hopefully arrive there. WRONG. Planning is good. For meals. For chores. For keeping up with activities. But, most successful businesses are built around TRYING. DOING. CREATING. It’s super easy to get caught up in making the perfect plan, and then finding that we can’t execute it. Because mostly, we need to gain the experience of doing. Just go with it. Be you. Do what feels right. And in doing, things will grow.
2.) When an opportunity presents itself, do it.
Of course you should always weigh whether it fits YOU (see number one, above), but stop waiting for the right time, people, place, extra money, whatever your excuse is, to take on new challenges. If it doesn’t work, you learned. If it does work, awesome. Regardless of how it turns out, you grow. And that gets you ready for more challenges.
3.) Anything done consistently, will be successful.
Really. I’m not kidding! The more you do something, the better you get at it! Whatever you choose. The point being that the more you focus on DOING, and not getting caught up in planning, or thinking, or wanting, or dreaming about something, the more your chances of success increase. Show up. Do the work. Start building. And then, show up tomorrow. Do the work. Keep building. Maybe you’ll decide that you love it and want to keep doing it – GREAT. Maybe you’ll change your mind. Also GREAT. Change direction. But keep DOING.
So for this year ahead, I’m working on planning less. (Except for the stuff that I really need on autopilot, like meals, chores, and activities. You can see my post on how using a planner reduced my stress, helped me accomplish more, and create free time.) Doing more. Taking the leap, even though I can’t see the bottom.
I so hope that these words help you through today and the year ahead, whether you’re just starting out, or, like me, your business is growing to places it’s never been before. Both can be kind of scary. So plan just a little bit, but most importantly, keep putting one foot in front of the other!
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