My Word for 2020 - When I Grow Up

My Word for 2020 - When I Grow Up Full disclosure: This year, instead of working with a “Word of the Year,” I’m working with a Mantra of the Year. In the past, I’ve chosen words like “be,” “acceptance,” and “investment” to act as my guiding lights for the following 365 days. In 2019, I chose “CEO,” and I’ll tell you what â€" it felt good. Mostly. Stepping into a true company leader role, expanding my team, and enhancing my business all spun out of my personal definition and connection to this title. But also? I almost burnt out. For real.   In the past 10+ years as The When I Grow Up Coach, I’ve always been motivated by growth â€"   even more specifically, financial growth. And each year, I’ve made it happen. You can review my real sales and expenses in my annual Year by the Numbers posts (with 2019’s set to arrive in January!) and see that when I put my mind, heart, and investment into something as important as my dream business, it regularly results in positive expansion.   By putting on my CEO hat in 2019 and choosing it as my word, I pushed harder and further this past year in all the ways I could think of â€" bending to fit into new shapes, stretching to reach new heights, and jumping to meet the new expectations I set for myself. While I hate to admit it, in honor of the transparent nature of all that I do as The When I Grow Up Coach, I have to tell you guys… it was stressful.   I found myself spinning in my mind late at night during the precious time reserved for my family. I piled on too much, running 5 programs (often at one time) and not being able to quite let go of certain responsibilities I knew I should be able to delegate from my new CEO seat. I was working weekends to “catch up” or “get ahead”, which ultimately felt like I was actually always behind. Anytime a client waited more than 24 hours for a response from me, it weighed on me like a lead balloon, and it seemed as though every time one launch ended another was just beginning. Plus, decision-making stakes were higher (thanks to my higher income) â€" but so were my taxes! â€" which all resulted in pressure, fatigue, and stress, stress, stress.   I didn’t love it. Negative anything surrounding my dream business is so not my thing, you guys. And I have to change it for 2020.   Clutching on to this clarity, I know I need to do the smart thing (the sane thing) for me. I need to do what gives me the space to personally thrive in this business I’ve so lovingly built. I need to nurture myself, so I can nurture When I Grow Up Coach and my amazeballs clients…   I need the Same Money, Less Effort.   Big note: This does not mean I’m going to stop showing up for my clients. In fact, my belief is it will be quite the opposite. I fully expect that leading with this mantra will allow me to be more present with and for my clients, as I won’t be pulled in a million directions and will have the capacity to engage in all the places (and in all of the ways!) that truly serve my clients, myself, and my business the best. The “less effort” piece is a more personalized intention to relieve the “necessities” of working overtime, overloading myself, and subsequently feeling pressure to do All The Things. For the first time, I am giving myself permission to not grow financially, which is super tough for the competitive side of me that always shoots for bigger, better, more. Super proudly, I am in a comfortable position where I can provide myself and my family with the lifestyle we want with the money that came in this year.   That is enough.   I can make a real living supporting incredible women doing the brave work of pursuing their dream businesses. The money I make pays our mortgage, affords us a high level health plan that’s important to our family, contributes to our IRAs and gives our daughter the classes and experiences we want her to have.   That is enough.   I can grow in other ways â€" through exposure, impact, and by helping my network reach their own goals, too. That is enough.   Restless nights? Unexpected panic? Self-doubt? Drained energy? Fatigued body? Stressed mind? No more.   My mantra for 2020 is “same money, less effort” as I know I can work smarter and better without having to work harder. In fact, I’ve done a pretty damn good job setting myself up to do so over the past decade. With the combined efforts of my 10+ years working as a full-time coach, I’ve earned a year to reap the benefits of a sustainable income and the luxury of peace of mind.   To hear me talk more about this, I’d love for you to join me on Instagram Live TOMORROW, December 11th, at 2:15pm Eastern! Make sure you’re following me there and then head to the app at that time. You’ll get a notification as soon as I hit the button to go live, and if you click on it you’ll be there with me! I pride myself on always staying real with my clients and followers, and would love to connect with you on the words (or mantras!) you’re honing in on for 2020, too.   If you’re ready to start New Year’s resolution setting, I have a sweet totally free 2-hour webinar that will talk you through how to Leave Your Job Launch Your Biz in 2020. Yes, I’m serious. This planning session will cover the 5 absolute necessities you need to launch your own dream business for maximum impact, and you’ll figure out the exact month that *you* can quit! Make sure you’re there by registering here.