The last time I sent out a diary-style message, you all flipped out in the best possible way. So today, I am peeling open my journal and giving you a peek at my “month in review.”
What’s a month in review?
This is a reflection exercise I do every month to:
: Evaluate my monthly goals (what worked, what didn’t, etc.)
: Dig into on what I’ve learned.
: Discover what I want to create more space for in my business (and life.)
: Celebrate!
I’m sharing this today to a) be transparent and b) in case this inside scoop + reflection might be helpful to you.
Away we go!
January 2020 Month in Review
Instead of speeding into 2020, I sorta… kinda…. gently… crept into it. 😉
I was dealing with some end-of-2019 burnout, and it didn’t feel great to just plunge into the New Year at full speed.
My January Goals:
: Sell VIP days. I opened up some VIP dates (1-on-1 strategy dates with me). I sold-out the open spots within a few days. Yay!
: Prep the OBSESSED Launch. My signature program in its 6th year (wheee!) is open for enrollment, and I had quite a bit of prep work to do. Very quickly, I noticed that I had a desire to feel more connected during this promotional period. More connected to my audience, connected to the people in my preview class, connected to program alumni, and connected to the content I was sending. I even had some launch content/material all ready to go and I just… didn’t feel particularly connected to it. So, I’ve decided to treat this launch more like a science experiment. Truthfully, I treat every launch this way, but it’s been fun being more playful… which is what OBSESSED is truly all about! I’ll share the story of why I scrapped my planned “sales emails” tomorrow. Stay tuned.
: Screenwriting. I’m committed to writing a new TV pilot this year—an idea that I’ve been dying to write for about five years now. My goal was to write 20 pages and turn them into my mentor last month, which I did! And they were a pretty good 20 pages! I’ve been on the struggle bus with another screenwriting project that I’m under contract for—it’s much more complex than I anticipated. I’ve really had to work on my mindset to stay positive and focused, which means lots of morning rage journaling.
: My novel. Boooo – I totally flopped this goal. I wanted to complete the edits on my ridiculously-fun teen paranormal romance novel in January, but… errr… that didn’t happen.
What did I learn?
: Show up less polished. This year, I’ve given myself permission to just show up and not worry about perfectly wordsmithing everything. Yeah yeah, I know, I’m a writer—but that doesn’t mean I’ve gotta be the best writer in the history of ever. That’s not even my goal, like at all. Instead, I’m drawn to diary-style content, and clearly you are too because I got so many messages the last time I sent out an unpolished message.
: Work more “on” my business, not “in.” One of the best things I did this month is carve time to work “on” my business vs. “in” my business. This can be exceedingly challenging when I (as a screenwriter) am the freaking business.
In mid-January, I attended a 3-day retreat with my client and friend Crista Grasso who is a real-deal consultant for global, billion dollar brands and specializes in leaning out your business to maximize profit. Crista also has the best team I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life. During the retreat, I found myself lusting after her employees (in a non-creepy way of course) and dying to have my own employees who were as obsessed with my business/mission as Crista’s team! I learned a ton on this retreat, but most of all, I discovered that I want to bring more work in-house. I love independent contractors (love!!!) but there are several things that would feel more pleasurable if I had someone (or a few someone’s) on my payroll where we can really dig deep and have a total blast.
: Say “no” to things that don’t align with my bigger vision. It’s always a delicate dance striving for bigger opportunities while running the current ship. Because I’m a recovering people pleaser, I sometimes say “yes” to things that take me away from my bigger vision. Moving forward, I’m going to take a bigger pause before making decisions.
What do I want to create space for in February?
: My novel. Getting really “real,” the reason I didn’t finish this in January was because of guilt. I struggle a lot with guilt—guilt from working too much and not spending enough time with my family and friends, guilt from having to say no to people, etc. There’s always a lingering fear of disappointing someone (hello, recovering people pleaser!) I work on my issues with guilt every week in therapy and I’m definitely seeing improvement, but it still holds me back sometimes. With a jam-packed schedule, I feel guilty taking even more of my time for passion projects like my novel. This month, I’m going to kick guilt to the curb (byeeeee!) and finally make the space.
: Movement. My main form of exercise is daily running or walking followed by about 20 minutes of stretching. I’d love to switch it up a bit this month. I’m thinking a dance class is in order!
: A surprise! Something I’ve been testing behind-the-scenes for awhile. Stick around and you’ll find out soon-ish. 😉
Celebrate!
This month I’m celebrating:
: Slower mornings without checking my phone right away.
: Doing something nice for myself by attending a business retreat to focus on my bigger vision.
: Trusting my gut and ditching what doesn’t feel pleasurable for my launch.
: Got to work with some new, amazing clients!
: Made great progress on a TV pilot script, five years in the making!
: Spent more time with my husband and pups.
: Moved my body every day in a way that feels good for me.
: Started cooking again—I love cooking, it’s meditative, and I don’t have any goal to be “good” at it. It’s just fun and peaceful.
: My Shih Tzu love nugget had a birthday!
And… that’s it for my monthly reflection! If you read all the way to the bottom, I hope you enjoyed. 🙂