2019 has come to an end, and I’m now planning for the new year ahead, but before I jump straight into 2020, I like to take the time to reflect on the highlights from the past year. And also acknowledge some of the things I was grateful for in 2019. I share these achievements with you because not only am I proud of what I have accomplished, but I’ve learnt a lot during the past year, and I want to share these learnings with you.
2019 Reflection
Reflection 1: Discomfort Is Okay
Last year I made one of the most significant decisions of my life becoming a full-time professional organiser/business owner. And it was the best decision I made. Being able to take my dream and passion and turn it into a successful business has been amazing. Saying goodbye to my corporate career to run my own business was not easy; it required:
- Planning
- Organising
- “Fear-setting”, I will let Tim Ferriss explain “fear-setting”
The critical lesson learned from this transition is that anything worth doing will be challenging, confronting and will force you out of your comfort zone and into a place of discomfort. The land of discomfort will require you to do things you may not want to do, things you have never done before, and it will at times scare the crap out of you. You will make mistakes, and that’s okay. The best thing about stepping outside of your comfort zone is new opportunities, learning experiences and growth. I look forward to spending more time in the land of discomfort in 2020.
Reflection 2: Surround Yourself with Successful People
In 2019 I had the opportunity to travel to Orlando to attend the Institute of Challenging Disorganisation Conference (ICD). It was great to learn and be inspired by other Professional Organisers from all over the world. The personal development I obtained from the conference has helped me to shape my professional organising business, but more importantly, attending the conference confirmed that being a Professional Organiser is what I want to be doing with my life. I was fortunate to meet Professional Organiser Judith Kolberg, whose work I respect, and admire. Surrounding myself with other professional organisers has helped to shape my professional organising business.
Reflection 3: Habits Are Powerful
Flexibility and balance have never been my strength; standing on one leg always resulted in me crashing down like a tree in a bad storm. In 2019 I set out to change that by improving my balance and flexibility. I set the goal to be able to do the dancer yoga pose by the end of that year (see picture).
Good News!
By the end of 2019, I can confidently do the dancer pose, it’s not perfect, but it’s better than it was at the start of 2019. Also, my flexibility has improved. I can now sit on my backside and touch my toes, which at the beginning of last year, I could barely touch my ankles.
The key take away is don’t underestimate the power of practice and habit. I made it a habit to practice the dancer pose and work on my flexibility at the end of my gym sessions and started to do yoga stretches in the morning while waiting for the kettle to boil.
Reflection 4: Taking Action
I have always wanted to be an investor, and in 2019 I wanted to buy shares. While I knew the basic concepts of investing, I was no expert. I did some research during the year and researched a company I wanted to invest with, and a few days before the end of 2019, I purchased some shares. While doing the research was necessary, taking action and buying the shares was the essential step. I learn best from my experiences, and the only way I am going to learn is by doing.
Yes, research is essential, but I set limits on how much time I spent on research and acknowledged that my experience in the share market would come over time with experience. Given that my experience is limited, I have managed the risk by investing only a small amount of money.
(Disclaimer I am not a financial or investment adviser. Before making any commitment of a financial or investment nature you should seek advice from a qualified and registered financial or investment adviser).
These were some of the highlights of 2019.
Did I achieve every goal?
No.
But I did achieve all things I considered to be the most important, the goals that were going to add the most value to my life and take me forward. And for that, I am proud.
The key things that helped me to achieve what I wanted to accomplish in the last 12 months were:
- Eliminating distractions
- Setting priorities
- And having a good (not perfect) relationship with my schedule
- Taking action
2019 Gratitude
1. My Clients
I am grateful to all my clients for letting me into their homes and sharing their stories. I thank them for trusting and allowing me to support them to transform their homes and lives from a state of overwhelm and stress to a place of calm. I have learnt a lot from my clients. Thank you.
2. My Health
I am grateful for my mental and physical health. While I’m not immune to physical and mental health challenges, I’m thankful to be able to get the right support when I need it.
3. My Friends
I am grateful for my friends. Thank you for your ongoing support, organising social events and for inviting me to be part of some of your special moments of 2019.
4. Coffee
I am grateful for coffee. Coffee activates me in the mornings and allows me to spend the first hour of most mornings, either reading or writing.
5. Professional Organisers of Melbourne Group
I am grateful to the Professional Organisers of Melbourne group. Without this group’s support, wisdom and guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
6. The House of Culture
I am grateful to Elena and Ange from the House of Culture in South Melbourne. Elena, you have provided exceptional support with yoga techniques. I wouldn’t have been able to do the dancer pose or improve my flexibility without your guidance.
7. My Business Coach
I am grateful to Michele Carson, my business coach from Influence. Your coaching has helped me stay focus on my business and to know what I want and don’t want. Your business framework has provided me with a great structure to organise my business. I feel more focused on where I am heading. Thank you.
These are just a few things I’m grateful for in 2019.
Another year has now passed, and I proud of what I have achieved and am grateful for having had a fantastic 2019. I hope some of my experiences will help you in 2020.
To everyone who was a part of my 2019, thank you. I look forward to what 2020 will bring. See you all in 2020 (if I haven’t already).
Cover Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash
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