I keep learning. I keep absorbing. I keep completing worksheets. I made a commitment to myself to fight instead of mope. I have exceptional talent and experience and I’ve been downplaying my achievements and selling myself short. I’ve had two books published to acclaim, I’ve built companies and brands, started and edited lit magazines, hosted a podcast, launched a non-profit—I’ve done A LOT in the past twenty years and I needed to step back and see the horizon rather than focus on the tumult of the past two years.
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I had a revelation last week that all I want to do is build brands and tell stories. I want to base my work on this, launch a podcast about this, launch courses about this. Yes, I’ll throw in a marketing plan, but no more tactical work. No more social media work. Pure brand building and strategy because that’s what excites me. I love the market and customer research and I live for the storytelling. So I’m going to commit to this and be disciplined about the work I take on.
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I’m also doing Skype dates with peers (people who have min 10-15 years of experience) and I’m going to try to make myself go to one of these networking retreats (small ones) so I can get out of my comfort zone.
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Oh, and I’m chopping off my hair tomorrow.
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Baby steps.
You GUYS. This was a week! So here’s what happened:
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My old AF laptop decided to delete my whole P&K folder. 1000 files, gone. Contracts? See ya. Client work. Audi 5000. After I cried a kitten, I breathed it out and recovered nearly everything via gmail, g-drive and backups I store on the cloud. Moral of this story? Back up your shit on the regular.
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I spent one day doing the @beingbossclub CEO Day. I have a lot of discipline when it comes to getting work done but not when I have to take a step back and map out the future of my business. I was worried this was going to be too woo woo, but it actually made me realize 5 things: I need to increase my networking online (ugh), I need to start podcasting, I need to time track my life (I do now with Timely and they’re going AI), I need to design an online course I don’t hate, and I need to change my service offerings.
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I mapped out the whole kit and caboodle. My podcast and course are going to combine writing, marketing, and time management, and that’s all I’ll say. I’m retooling my offering to focus on upfront brand development work. I booked a trip to SF to see people (and friends). I’m tracking my time and I’m already horrified. So I did all the things and I feel productive.
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I delivered a big brand thing this week and my client was over the MOON. Yay!
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I spent time with my friend @nadinejoliecourtney, who made me some AMAZING chili. Her friendship over the past two years made me realize that I want to be surrounded by people who are resilient, brilliant, graceful and kind. I see that in my friend @bhatmon too.
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I maybe had too many glasses of Pinot noir last night. 🍷
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I had a BLAST talking to my friend @ctdaytrips for her small biz podcast, which reminded me of a podcast I did in 2009 and how much fun I had doing it and I can’t wait to start again.
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I sent out 3 proposals and I remain hopeful for consistent work. I have anxiety but what else is new so we won’t dwell.
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On deck this weekend? Lots of brand development and content strategy work for my client. Mapping out my podcast next steps. Chill axing. You?
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YOU GUYS. I rarely say positive things about myself (I'm working on this), but I have to say that I'm doing the best work of my career. I delivered a customer segment profile and a channel audit + strategic direction today--along with a screencast voice-over and I'm really proud of my work. I worked hard, not only on my marketing work, but the overall client management. Clients gift, easy on boarding, resource guides—the whole shebang.
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I'm awesome at what I do. THERE, I SAID IT. I will eat guacamole and carne asada tacos now.
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I would like financial stability and a day off where I don’t have to have anxiety attacks about $. That would be cool.
Link broken Felicia!
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Thanks! I moved the time-stamp, which I think caused the issue. If you go to the site, the post is live. Cheers, Felicia
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