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 February, I…
1. Officially started my own business and became CEO (!!!) Where to begin?! February was perhaps the craziest month of my life yet. As of February 1, 2016, I was officially out on my own, running my own business as CEO. To all of those who say entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster- you are CORRECT. I thought it was a cliche, but it is so true. I experienced so many highs, so many lows and LOTS of insecurity in the past month, but I’ve also learned a ton. While this new lifestyle is definitely taking time to adjust to, I don’t regret a thing. I’m so happy to be doing my own thing and I’m really excited about all of the possibilities ahead. More to come in my one-month recap later this week!
2. Taught a TON of yoga and had some exciting yoga biz developments. Teaching yoga is not only one my biggest passions in life, it’s also now part of my business! I was super thrilled (and a little surprised) when yoga started to emerge as a pretty solid income stream for the month of February. I taught 13 classes in February- two classes for a corporate group, my regular Tuesday/Saturday classes and lots of substitute opportunities. It feels SO indulgent to teach (or take) a yoga class at 9:30 a.m. on a week day- I almost feel like I’m playing hooky from work, but then I remember that this IS my work now and I just feel so incredibly grateful (#blessed is what the kids are calling it these days, I guess). I also wrote a proposal for my first-ever yoga workshop this month and it was accepted by my studio, so now I’m co-leading a workshop on April 3! It’s called Yoga For Teens, so if you know a teen in the Greater Philly area, be sure to share this workshop with them! More yoga news to come- some other exciting things coming around the bend!
3. Made time for fun! February is usually my least favorite month of the year, but this year was very different. Not only was I busy adjusting to my new lifestyle, I also made time for lots of fun social plans. I traveled to Nyack, NY to visit my friend Lindsey who recently moved there- I had a blast exploring the cute town and taking my first aerial yoga class! I traveled to the Lehigh Valley for a Temple Women’s Network event, met my friend Janelle in Reading for brunch, saw How To Be Single with my friends for Galentine’s Day, celebrated my friend Julia’s 30th birthday and got together with different people for coffee, brunch and drinks! February was a very social month and I’m so grateful I got to spend time with lots of different friends, especially since I no longer have colleagues to chit-chat with throughout the work day. OH, and I bingewatched Fuller House when it came out on Netflix at the end of the month, so that made me about one hundred shades of happy and nostalgic.
In March, I will…
1. Continue running my biz and doing the CEO thang (and hopefully feel more comfortable doing it!). With one month of full-time solopreneurship under my belt, I am really looking forward to seeing where month two takes me. I learned so much in my first month of self-employment and now it’s time to put some of those lessons into action. In March, I hope to really solidify a schedule for myself and stick to it since I know I thrive on routine. Similarly, much of February was spent in potential client meetings and writing proposals-mode, so I’m hoping that in March I can nail down contracts and get to work with some new and exciting clients!
2. Re-launch my Personal Branding Bootcamp sessions. One thing I quickly realized when I started my own business was how easy it is to let my own personal projects fall by the wayside once client work enters the mix. I’ve decided to think of myself as my own client and I’ve set a goal each month to do one BIG thing (or project) that relates to my brand/blog. For March, I’m revamping my personal branding checklist (subscribe to the newsletter if you want to be one of the first to receive it!) and re-launching my Personal Branding Bootcamp sessions. Many people have reached out to me asking how we can work together to build their personal brand and I believe my bootcamp is the answer. I’ve done a bunch already, but I’m ready to make the bootcamp a more official service that I offer to potential clients. Stay tuned!
3. Turn 28! (Among other exciting activities) March 11 is my birthday, so I’ve always been fond of this month. I don’t have anything crazy planned for my 28th as of yet, but my birthday is still a bit of time away! All I know is it will definitely include margaritas and guacamole 🙂 This month, I have lots of other exciting things happening. I’m a keynote speaker at my alma mater Temple University’s PRSSA Invitational 2016, presenting a session called “Hustle Hard: Promoting Yourself and Your Business.” I’m participating in a couple of different podcast interviews, going to a few fun yoga workshops and celebrating my little brother’s 21st birthday!
February Posts You May Have Missed
How (Strategically) Working For Free Helped Build My Brand and Career
Words of Wisdom From The 25 Smartest People I Know On Becoming CEO
Becoming CEO: Reflections From Week One of Solopreneurship
Jessica Around The Web
Guest posts, articles and other places you can find me this month online.
5 Must-Dos In Your First Week of Solopreneurship– for One Woman Shop
Here’s How Healthcare Providers Do Content Marketing– for Scribewise
Build a Writing Brand That Rocks: Quick Social Media Tips for Writers (Part 1)– for The Write Life
Build a Writing Brand That Rocks: Quick Social Media Tips for Writers (Part 2)– for The Write Life
3 Times Working for Free Can Help Your Freelance Writing Career– for The Write Life
What did you accomplish in February and what are you looking forward to accomplishing in March? Share your three things in the comments below!
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