Each monthly check-in, 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. Spent a week in Jamaica for vacation. Ah! January kicked off with a wonderfully relaxing and much-needed week spent on the beach in beautiful Jamaica. The entire Lawlor fam headed to the Caribbean (we “skip” Christmas and vacation together instead) for a week of fun and sun. The highlights of the week included reading five books in six days, getting the most incredible massage, eating delicious food, drinking fruity cocktails and napping on and off all day in between playing in the ocean and the pool. This was the perfect way to start the year (and prepare for an insane February!)
2. Prepared to take my business full time. After announcing in December that I quit my job in public relations to take my own business full time, life became a crazy whirlwind, in the best way possible. I spent most of January scheduling/taking meetings and phone calls before and after work, lining up client work, writing proposals and prepping to finally make my dreams a reality. I was amazed at the power of my network and the number of people who reached out with advice, kind words, connections and business opportunities. I also spent an awesome weekend celebrating with my best friends with a fun night out in Philly to close one chapter and start a new one!
3. Wrapped up four years at Visit Bucks County. Making the decision to leave the job I’ve loved for four years was not easy. I spent January completing projects, transitioning my work to others and writing what ended up being a 15-page document detailing how to be me AKA the “Jessica Bible.” It’s so crazy to actually sit down and write out what you do on a daily basis- you quickly realize just how much goes into a job! It was fun to look back at all I’ve accomplished in four years and to remember the wonderful memories that I’ll hold onto forever. My last week included lots of goodbye lunches, hugs and just a couple of tears. I’ll always be grateful to Visit Bucks County for taking a chance on a young PR pro with no tourism experience- what an amazing four years.
In February, I will…
1. Officially become CEO! The time is here! As I write this post, I am wrapping up my official first week of becoming my own boss. This week has been insane (more on that next week), but I’m feeling grateful, excited and ready to take on this new journey. The month of February is pretty packed with meetings, both for networking, as well as chatting with potential clients, teaching lots of yoga, writing proposals and actually doing client work. My main goal for the next few months is to settle into some sort of schedule- I thrive on routine. I can’t believe I am really doing this!
2. Increase the yoga side of my biz even more. I feel SO lucky that the yoga side of my business is quickly growing. Ever since I announced that I was leaving my job, good things have been happening. I am teaching on average four times a week currently (my two regular weekly classes + around 2-3 sub classes) and have a few teaching auditions coming up in the next few weeks. In addition, I’m SO pumped to share that my friend Kelsie and I are planning a Yoga for Teens series that will start in March- more details to come. I’m also subbing a corporate yoga class and have been approached about doing private classes! I love that opportunities are popping up in this area because it’s one that I am SO incredibly passionate about.
3. Get out and about for fun social plans. February is usually a rough month for me. I am not a cold weather gal and for some reason, I always struggle with burnout during the month of February. This year I’ve got LOTS of fun social plans and mini-trips to keep me busy and excited for what’s ahead. This weekend, I’m heading to Nyack, NY to visit a friend who moved there recently. Later this month, I’m reuniting with one of my favorite people that I met through this blog (Hi, Janelle!, the Temple Women’s Network is hosting a wine & chocolate Galentine’s Day event, I’m going to a Super Bowl hot tub party and lots of fun dinner and brunch plans. So much to look forward to! I love having a packed social calendar, especially now that I work primarily by myself and don’t have colleagues to chit chat with all day.
January Posts You May Have Missed
Becoming CEO: Your Questions, Answered
The Get Gutsy Annual Review: Highlights from 2015
Jessica Around The Web
Guest posts, articles and other places you can find me this month online.
The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2016– honored to be included on The Write Life’s list of 100 best websites for writers for the third year in a row!
Is 2016 The Year Content Marketing Grows Up? Many Thought Leaders Say YES– for Scribewise
What did you accomplish in January and what are you looking forward to accomplishing in February? Share your three things in the comments below!
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