It’s the first week in January 2022 and as I sit here planning ahead for the forthcoming year, I am forced to look back over the previous year and look at what 2021 has taught me.

Reflection

2021 didn’t turn out anything like what I thought, I got thrown some curveballs, unexpected projects, plans changed and the global pandemic was still very much with us. The impact it had on my business when it hit the UK in 2020 was unimaginable and at the time life changing and crushing, but it opened doors and opportunities that wouldn’t have presented themselves without it. The thing is, perhaps somewhat naively (I’m an optimistic positive person so tend to look at the good and positives), I didn’t expect the pandemic to still be shaping our lives so dramatically throughout the previous year and now very much into 2022, so I like many others adapted, learnt a new way of working (although my business is already digital, so not huge changes) and leant to live with it and not fight against it. So looking back over what 2021 has taught me, leads me on to the highs and lows.

Highs

There were some real highs to come out of 2021 like;

• I became a published co-author of a business book ‘Shine On You Crazy Daisy’
• Started working with real dream clients that I had admired for quite some time
• Moved my business forward with lowering my carbon footprint and joined Ecology
• 3 podcast interviews
• A 3 page feature in Brand You Magazine
• I wrote a number of guest blogs
• Hosted multiple training sessions with other businesses
• Hosted my first Canva workshop
• Celebrated 6 other businesses by published guest blogs on my website
• Stopped working Fridays and now do 4 days a week
• Increased my income from the previous year by 43%
• Had a wonderful staycation in Snowdonia with my husband where I had a tech black out for the week
• I’ve strengthened my boundaries and now live and work by these
• Taken on a second Associate
• Being nominated for an award
• Had my first paid Mentoring client
• My new website was built and launched
• Loved my first branding photoshoot

Lows

As with life in general there have been some real lows too and many people don’t share these for fear of judgement, but I feel you need to see both sides of the coin, so some of my lows have been;

• My fibromyalgia had some major flare ups causing me to take time off
• Ended up in A&E twice due to the most horrific migraines of my life
• Unwell family members
• 2 holiday’s being cancelled due to covid – 1 was a bucket list holiday!
• Dealing with a couple of really tricky clients
• My fur baby Monte badly injuring his foot, which resulted in very expensive surgery and lots of emotions
• Not being able to see friends and family as much as I would have liked due to the pandemic
• Lock downs
• Self doubt and imposter syndrome
• Anxiety creeping back in after many years having it under control
• Parting ways with some dream clients

Intertwined

Fairly early on into my business I realised that my business and personal life had to be intertwined, they had to mesh together, compliment each other as one simply couldn’t work without the other. Let me explain.

In my life self care is super important, being financially secure, having adventures and opportunities to be creative all matter to me. In order to have all of these things my business goals, culture, boundaries and way I work must flow and work together. If my business is running smoothly and I’m working within my boundaries and doing work where I can be creative, it then gives me time for self care, to earn money and have security, which also leads on to adventures. You see they both have to work together and although I realised this early on, I don’t think I fully implemented into until last year. Now for me, there is no other way of working.

Looking to the future

I took the advice of a business bestie as eased my way in gently to 2022, where as normally my diary would have been chocka and I’d go in all guns blazing and probably have a mini burn out by the end of January for pushing myself too hard, well no more I tell you! Yes I’m still busy, but learning to delegate more effectively, sticking to my boundaries and managing my clients expectations has helped me ease my way back in.

Because I’ve started off gently, it’s given me the headspace to plan, to be creative, to look at what I would like out of 2022. And I’m really proud of the things I’ve put in place already and I’m only 1 week in. Let me share a few with you now;

• I’m going to be co-hosting a series of workshops and collaborating with my business bestie Gemma from Infinity Creative on how to Conquer Canva with Confidence. We have already outlined the subjects, set the dates and the first one is live to book on Eventbrite now here.
• I’ve also adapted and created new services which revolve around what I love – Canva and built proper services that not only I love to do, but will really benefit others.
• My mentoring programme for new VA’s has evolved and grown and I will be doing more work Mentoring in the upcoming year.
• I joined a wild/outdoor swimming group and went on my first outdoor swim at Calshot beach – yes in January and yes it was freezing, but also invigorating
• I booked another bucket list holiday – a South African Safari for 2023
• I’ve booked to attend my first sound bathing session end of this month

By starting 2022 more gently than I’m used to, it’s opened up my mind and creativity and sense of adventure for lots of new things. I’m super duper excited for what 2022 has in store and I’m glad I took the opportunity to reflect over what 2021 has taught me.