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 January, I…
1. Traveled to Cancun, Mexico for a week. Sigh. Vacation already feels like it was months and months ago when in reality, it has only been a couple of weeks. My week in Mexico with my family was incredible- total relaxation, delicious food, drinks, good books, stunning views and excellent company. For the most part, we stayed on the resort and relaxed, but we did take a day trip to Tulum to see the Mayan Ruins and also enjoyed an afternoon at Xel-Ha– a place I can only describe as an all-natural WATER PARK. Think: lazy river in an actual river and tons of fun water activities like zip-lining, ropes courses and more. Vacation was awesome and I came home with a new perspective: Looking for answers? Give yourself space to breathe.
2. Hosted the Second Annual Get Gutsy Week! Spoiler alert: Get Gutsy Week was AMAZING. It totally exceeded every single one of my expectations! The first surprise of the week came when I surpassed my goal to receive 60 entries to the Get Gutsy Essay Contest and actually received 66! Then, the first-ever Get Gutsy Twitter Chat was a massive success…and I’ve even had requests to make it a more regular chat- stay tuned on that one! I’m incredibly grateful to the entire community for embracing Get Gutsy Week and making it so special. If you missed it, get caught up with this video (Oh yeah, I also published a video in January…working on stepping outside my comfort zone, starting with video!).
3. Yoga, yoga, yoga. If you’re sensing a theme around here when it comes to yoga talk, it’s likely going to continue month after month. My yoga teacher training starts in March and to lead up to it, I’ve been really prioritizing yoga, making sure to practice at least four times per week. In January, I attended a super fun vino-asana workshop (think: drinking wine between poses…yep) and an amazing arm balance workshop (see photo above for my new favorite pose!). The thing I really love most about yoga is the amount of progress you see in your practice, body and mind when you practice regularly. Each new breakthrough is a chance for celebration and I truly feel like my best self when I’m on my mat. I can’t wait to continue this journey.
In February, I will…
1. Launch the 30 Days of Gutsy Course. After a successful beta run in November, I’m almost ready to launch my first-ever product, an email-based course called 30 Days of Gutsy, to the world! Registration will open later this month and the course will officially begin on March 1. (AHHHH!) 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. Drop your name here if you’re interested in being THE VERY FIRST to know details about when the official course will launch.
2. Host a personal branding workshop with PHLBloggers. One of my favorite things to do is speak to groups and I’m excited to get together with some of the awesome people who are part of PHLBloggers to host a workshop all about personal branding. Personal branding is one of my favorite topics to talk about and I’m really excited to dive deeper into the topic with a group of fellow bloggers. Plus, the event is being held at The Hive, Philadelphia’s first all-female coworking space, founded by my friend Melissa Alam, so it’s bound to be a good time in a fabulous location. Interested in attending? All the details are included here.
3. Amp up my freelance writing/projects. I absolutely LOVE my side hustle and I’m super excited because lots of exciting opportunities have been coming my way lately. I’m currently working on a proposal for a project with a brand I am *REALLY* pumped about and this month, I’ll also be writing two pretty lengthy feature stories for a magazine. I’ve been staying true to my words of 2015, especially the word ‘choice’ and I’ve been careful about the projects I’ve chosen to work on and how I’m spending my energy. I’m feeling really good about it and hope to continue this trend throughout the rest of the year.
January Posts You May Have Missed
Done Is Better Than Perfect (Except When It’s Not)
Video: Reflections on Get Gutsy Week 2015
Get Gutsy Essay Contest Winning Entry #4: Facing Fears and Getting Gutsy by Robin Botie
Get Gutsy Essay Contest Winning Entry #3: Get Gutsy- Do Something That Scares You by Kate Sommerkamp
Get Gutsy Essay Contest Winning Entry #2: The New York City Marathon by Kim Kawecki
Get Gutsy Essay Contest Winning Entry #1: #GetGutsy + Get Out of Your Own Backyard by Sara Frandina
Get Inspired With The Second Annual Get Gutsy Week
Get Gutsy With Cristina Roman: “I Launched One Woman Shop…Then Moved To Central America”
You’re Invited! Join The Get Gutsy Twitter Chat on Wednesday, January 21
Looking For Answers? Give Yourself Space To Breathe
Jessica Around The Web
Guest posts, articles and other places you can find me this month online.
The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2015– the Get Gutsy blog is included on The Write Life’s top 100 websites for writers in 2015 for the second year in a row!
This Is What Happens When You Ask 12 Blog Editors About Increasing Productivity– tips from me included on the Coschedule blog
Taking Content Marketing Back to Basics in 2015– for Scribewise
The Fearless Challenge– included as a #FearlessFounder as part of a new project from Hello Fearless
Treat Yourself Like a Client To Build Your Personal Brand in 2015– guest post for Belle Communications
Volunteer Spotlight: Jessica Lawlor– featured as the first alumna for Temple University’s Office of Alumni Relations Volunteer Spotlight
How to Start a Side Hustle When You’re Short on Time– tips from me include in this Go Girl Finance piece
What did you accomplish in January and what are you looking forward to accomplishing in February? 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.
