I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
New Year's Evolution
I always find this time of year bittersweet as I contemplate the year that was and plan for the year ahead.
It takes me a little bit to get myself back up to full speed. The older I get, the more grace I need to give myself in this regard.
Which leads me to share my one kinda-sorta-if-I-did-new-year's-resolutions-this-is-what-it-would-be goal for 2024:
To be kinder to myself.
Because I'll tell you, I'm my own worst critic. Like, the absolute worst. By a long shot.
I know, on its face value, it seems like a pretty simple goal. But, if you're like me, you know how deceptive that face value really is.
It's so much easier to be kind to others, to be generous and even forgiving of other's faults and shortcomings. But, when it comes to me, I'm stingy with all that good stuff I give out freely to other people.
And, it's really high time that I change that.
So, I've asked myself in all seriousness: What does being kinder to myself look like?
Here's what I've come up with:
- Stop saying 'maybe' when I really mean 'no' or even 'yes.'
- Allow myself to be good enough when that's the best I can do in the moment.
- Ask for help as a first resort not a last one.
- Go out and play more often, especially with family and friends.
- Measure my success in joy and laughter and contentment, day-by-day, rather than by how many items I cross off my to-do list.
- Do more of what I want rather than what I think I ought to.
- Invest real time in taking care of myself instead of fitting it in when and if I can.
- Eat when I'm hungry, not once I get this one last thing done (and then I'm starving).
- Sleep more. Nap more. Rest my eyes more.
In other words, take more of my own (good) advice!
What do you think? Have I missed anything?
As the pace of this new year starts to pick up, I recommend you make a list like this for yourself.
How will you be kinder to you this year in ways that really matter to your happiness and peace of mind let alone to your bottomline?
Feel free to share with me. I'd love to hear from you.
And, if you'd like some help figuring out what to do and how to do it while running your business, too, let me help you.
Until next time,
PS – Before the holidays, I questioned which was really in charge: Your Money. Your Life.
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I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
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