Lessons from 2021
We definitely had a much better year than 2020, in my opinion. We were…
Able to get back to connecting with folks in person a bit more,
Able to get into a routine with school being back in person as well
Able to be out and about shopping, eating out, working out…it definitely was a step in the right direction of being a community, society, and a world “better than before”.
In last years blog, you will have read, that 2020 taught me about processing loss, adaptability, and building the muscle of resilience (because it doesn’t just happen) it is something that constantly needs to be exercised and practiced. Thus, here I am today with some nuggets I discovered in 2021 or at least were highlighted to me as I reflect on this past year.
Personal Responsibility
We don’t always have control of the circumstances around us, the situation we find ourselves in (especially after another year of COVID and various variations of the disease), or the way people behave (and many behaved really badly this year). However, what we do have control over is how we react, respond, and the CHOICES we make on what we can do and NOT do.
For example, the choice of having to wear a mask or not, or even to get vaccinated.
OR the choice of continuing to market our business on Facebook, or finding other ways to market your services.
Having personal responsibility is when you are getting your control back and you’re not just “relying” or “blaming” other folks with what’s happening or not happening. You are making the choice to OWN your response and reaction to things. Knowing that your actions can directly determine your results is actually not a “NEW” concept, but I think about how “out of control” we feel lately, especially when it comes to the pandemic. Remembering that “it’s on me”, allows for there to be a LOT less stress, if you think about it, because YOU are the one determining how to proceed next - not someone else or any circumstances.
Community
We tend to forget that doing things together is more fun than going at it alone.
When you can build a community around you, whether that’s your team members working with you, your fellow neighbors, parents who help connect you with events, or your own fellow business owners that are wanting to also see you succeed, having a community by your side can really “fill your own gas tank”. It can lift you up and keep you going, no matter what challenges or obstacles are in front of you. The key is to keep the momentum going. “A rising tide” floats all boats, so when we can look around and see so many other folks doing well and getting through adversity, it keeps us motivated and inspired as well.
In case you haven’t had a chance to see what other local business owners have been doing, here is an awesome small business video series to check out: https://melissasanchezcoaching.com/better-than-before
Lastly, but not least the third theme that came up for me in 2021 was
Progress not Perfection
Are things still a little “clunky” at times? Yes
Are things really not as consistent or the “same” as it was before? Nope, we definitely still have a ways to go until many of our small businesses are back to enjoying the “hay day” and happy hours of what once was and that’s okay. We will get there.
I learned this past year, Progress is so much more important than Perfection and that there is value in the journey to getting there. Little by little we saw things reopening back up this year. Many also were able to do some self analysis of what was working for ourselves and our businesses and what was not. We even saw a “great resignation” for folks who realized they weren’t as happy in their jobs as they expected to be.
Yet despite the uncertainty, since we all STILL do not know for sure how things are going to turn out (in regards to this pandemic), we kept on “trucking”...we keep going along, building momentum every step of the way. Some of us still put a “team” out there, even though they may not have been fully ready to compete, and therefore, we learned, and most importantly HAD Fun!
As business owners there are so many times, we get so wrapped up in the “results”, the outcomes, that we forget, what about the “ACTUAL” journey itself?
What I learned this past year is that the “JOURNEY” to SUCCESS can be just as valuable as “SUCCESS” itself. Think about all the people you get to meet along the way, the little nuggets of wisdom you learn at every turn, or with each client and how you were able to impact their lives.
Thus, we all deserve to take a moment at the end of the year and appreciate the road we are on (even though it’s the road less traveled as independent business owners and entrepreneurs) it’s still a joyous and interesting path as well.
Happiest of NEW YEAR everyone! And if there’s one takeaway from 2021 I’d love for you to have is...”in everything we do, don’t worry about making it “PERFECT”...just focus on “PROGRESSING”…otherwise, what is the alternative?
And keep in mind this great quote:
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” - Van Gough
Just one step at a time and each step will get you closer to your end goal.
Once again, thank you for a most improved 2021! I am so grateful for each and everyone of you as being on “my journey” to success as I learn from all of you as much as you learn from me. And I am utterly excited to see what 2022 has in store for all of us!
Cheers and Happy New Year to All~