Each month, I share three things I accomplished in the previous month and preview three things I’m excited about or hoping to accomplish in the month ahead. It’s fun to look back and forward, and as an added bonus, these monthly check-ins keep me accountable to reach my goals.
I hope you’ll join in and share your three things in the comments section! I’ve been thrilled to see that other bloggers enjoy my monthly check-ins and have adopted the format for their own blogs- this is AWESOME! If you write a similar monthly check-in/look ahead post, please feel free to utilize this format and be sure to leave a link in the comments below so we can all support you in your goals for the coming month!
In December, I…
1. Launched the Second Annual Get Gutsy Essay Contest. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Get Gutsy Essay Contest time! For the second year in a row, I’m hosting this essay contest where I encourage all of YOU to share what getting gutsy means to you through your own stories and experiences. Later this month, we’ll celebrate Get Gutsy Week and later in the year, I’ll release another ebook featuring the fabulous stories compiled from the contest. As of this week, we have 20 entries…that’s awesome, but as I told the Get Gutsy email community, my big goal for 2015 is to get 50 entries. If you haven’t submitted your story yet, there’s still a whole week to go!
2. Published my first video on the blog. Want to know something that truly terrifies me and pushes me so far beyond my comfort zone I can’t even explain it? VIDEO. I love public speaking, but don’t ask me why; as soon as I see that little record button going on a camera, I freeze up. When Ashley from Your Super Awesome Life asked me to participate in a fun video project, I knew this opportunity would give me the push I needed to introduce video into the Get Gutsy brand. I nervously published the video, first for Ashley’s course and then later shared it on the blog. I was SO excited when many of you told me you enjoyed the video and want to see more! I’ll be sharing many more videos in 2015…stay tuned!
3. Indulged in lots of holiday fun. Even though I once again procrastinated and was Christmas shopping right up until December 23, this holiday season was filled with many amazing memories. The month kicked off with the Temple Women’s Network Holiday Extravaganza at Barcade. Later in the month, my mom hosted her annual cookie swap (and my sister and I wore our ugly sweaters, as seen in the photo above). Toward the end of December, my mom, her best friend, my sister and I took a day trip to beautiful Longwood Gardens to see the beautiful light displays. Visit Philly even shared a photo I took there on their Instagram account! The holidays always fly by in a blur of happy memories, delicious food and great time spent with friends and family.
In January, I will…
1. Travel to Cancun, Mexico for a week with my family! Hint: this post is actually scheduled ahead of time and right now I am in Cancun, Mexico with my family for our new tradition- a family vacation in January! I’m so excited to get away for some much-needed R&R with the people I love the most. I’m looking forward to catching up on the books and magazines I’ve let pile up, clearing my mind and making space for new ideas and goals and staring at the ocean with a fruity drink in hand. I hope to come back refreshed, relaxed and ready to take on 2015!
2. Yoga, yoga, yoga! Now that I’m getting closer to the start of my teacher training in March, I’m kicking my yoga practice into even higher gear. I currently go to class 3-4 times per week depending on my schedule, but am making it a priority to increase that to five times per week. I’m also registered for an awesome Vino Asana (Wine and yoga? Count me in!) workshop this month and am considering signing up for an arm balancing workshop at the end of January. I find myself falling more and more in love with yoga with each class and am so happy to have this outlet in my life.
3. Finalize launch details for the 30 Days of Gutsy course. After running the beta version of my first product, an email course called 30 Days of Gutsy in November, I’m finally ready to share it with the world. The course is broken down into four main themes: (1) set goals and achieve your dreams (2) step outside your comfort zone 3) eliminate fear and (4) take action. It includes daily emails with lessons, quotes, resources, exercises and more. I’m pumped about it! (And the beta group loved the course too!) Drop your name here if you’re interested in being THE VERY FIRST to know details about when the official course will launch.
December Posts You May Have Missed
Wishing You and Yours a Merry & Bright Christmas
The Top 10 Most Popular Posts On The Get Gutsy Blog in 2014
Get Gutsy With Melissa Alam: “I Founded Philadelphia’s First Female-Only Coworking Space”
Video: Getting Gutsy + Letting Go Of Imperfection
It’s Back! Announcing the Second Annual Get Gutsy Essay Contest
Want To Be A Better Friend and Networker? You Need To Check Out These 3 Tools
Jessica Around The Web
Guest posts, articles and other places you can find me this month online.
Infusing content marketing into your holiday sales strategy– for Scribewise
The 8 PR up-and-comers– featured on the Spin Sucks blog
Small Business Saturdays– an interview with me on Sierra Elmore’s blog
10 underestimated blogs worth a writer’s attention– the Get Gutsy blog is included on this list
What did you accomplish in December and what are you looking forward to accomplishing in January? Share your three things in the comments below!
Want more gutsy content delivered straight to your inbox twice a month? Be sure to sign up for my FREE #GetGutsy e-newsletter filled with inspiration, ideas and action items to get out of your comfort zone. When you sign up, you’ll also be sent a FREE copy of the Get Gutsy ebook, filled with 19 inspirational stories to help you get gutsy.
