At the beginning of this year, I could feel change coming. Big changes. And I knew that my business was going to hit a point somewhere along the way of 2019, where it would become bigger than I ever expected.
And so I began praying, “God, what do I need to have in place now so that I can transition into that place as smoothly as possible?”
I didn’t want to be freaking out in a bad way when the growth came, I wanted to be celebrating. And that meant taking steps at the very beginning, so that I was ready for it.
Of course, I’d like to say that I easily accomplished this but that’s not the case. This year was definitely a year of growth, but maybe not quite in the way I’d expected. Was there growth in my business? Yes, and I’m so grateful. But, the biggest thing that grew was me.
I feel like so much happened this year, every piece of it playing a part in leading me to where I am today. And these are the moments that stick out in my mind the most.
The first thing I did was slow down. Big time.
I had just come out of a crazy busy couple of months, right at the beginning of 2019. January & February were jam-packed with new wedding bookings, prepping for my upcoming workshop, and it was just insane.
After the workshop in February, I knew I needed to take a step back. I was absolutely drained, and I could feel God saying, “Girl, take a breather. I’ve got this. If you want to keep going and really bring your A-game, then rest. Just trust me.”
And so I did. For almost a month I worked on the simplest tasks, didn’t book a ton of sessions, and took time for myself.
It was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
And then, I gave myself permission to fully step into my influence.
I will never ever forget this moment. It is truly one of the most powerful moments I’ve experienced, along with what came after.
The second week of March I flew to Kansas City for a mentor session with Indium Boudoir. That experience in and of itself was incredible, but that’s another story.
My last night there, I was standing in my hotel room getting ready for bed. I can’t remember what exactly I was thinking about at the time, but I clearly remember having this epiphany of sorts and announcing out loud: “Okay, God. I’m going to step into my influence. No more holding myself back, I’m going to step into it.”
Little did I know how much power those words held.
The very next day, after I’d landed in Chicago, I was journaling in the airport as I waited for Lyndon’s flight to land.
And it hit me.
The BIGGEST dream I have had yet, and one that I have complete confidence that God placed on my heart. I mean, it is absolutely phenomenal and I cannot wait to reveal it to you guys when the time is right.
And in that moment, I got my mojo back. It was like a light bulb went off and God said, “It’s go time.”
I immediately went to a nearby Starbucks and started working with more passion than I’d had in months. It was incredible.
Made Jesus more of a priority
This has been huge for me this year. I’ve gotten to know God on a more intimate level, and I know this may sound crazy to some, but it’s gotten to the point where when I’m trying to talk something out with Him, I hear the answer to my problem before I finish my sentence. It’s the absolute coolest thing.
I’ve learned to express gratitude in every situation, even the sticky ones. To trust Him, and my new favorite catch phrase is: “Alright God, what do you have up your sleeve this time?”
It’s the best.
Wrote, read, listened.
I soaked up as much content as I could this year. At one point I was trying to read one new book a week, which lasted for a little while. Here are some of the books and podcasts that have made a profound impact on both myself & my business this year:
- Girl, Stop Apologizing
- High Performance Habits
- Often Ambitious podcast
- How to Get Sh*t Done
- Goal Digger podcast
Adjusted my mindset. (time vs. money)
For awhile, I was almost too focused on how to start bringing in the big bucks. And then one day it clicked. This isn’t about money. I don’t value money. I value time.
I want more time to take vacations. I want time to spend with my babe. I want time to go out with friends. Time is my most valuable currency.
And of course those go hand in hand, but adjusting that mindset was HUGE for me. It put things into perspective for me.
I Launched My First Online Course
And man did I learn a lot in the process. This was one of the biggest growth opportunities for me this year, because things went the complete opposite as how I’d expected them to. There were so many valuable lessons wrapped up in this experience for me. I learned to reframe my focus, to be more intentional about where I invest my money, to try again, and to adjust my sails so-to-speak.
This month, I hosted a second launch for a new course and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I learned to give myself a second chance and I am so glad that I did.
Pivoted My Business
In August, I officially announced that I was pivoting my business away from weddings towards boudoir & coaching full-time. The moment I said it out loud, I knew I’d made the right decision. Ever since, it’s been the most fun thing in the world. I’m absolutely loving this new season and feel so confident about being in the right place at the right time!
Spoke at my first conference
Oh man, what a highlight!! This was a completely unexpected surprise for me this year, and I cannot thank Madison Anaya enough for asking me to be one of the speakers at her first ever Confident Creatives Conference! The day was absolutely incredible and one I will never forget. Every woman who showed up was beaming with excitement, and Madison filled us all with such motivation. It was an absolute honor to be a part of something so special.
I also had the honor of speaking on the Strategy Hour Podcast, speak for the online Boss Summit, and do an Instagram take-over for Flodesk. Three moments that will also forever be etched in my mind as some of the greatest experiences of my life.
Looking back over this year, I am so grateful for every single moment. This has been an unforgettable year. There have been highs and there have been lows, but I believe that every piece has played a part and for that I am grateful.
I cannot wait to see what next year holds, I truly believe that God is on the brink of moving in ways that we never imagined. And I’m so excited to see what He has for us.
What have been some moments that stood out to you this year? Where have you grown?
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