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 September, I…
1. Took BIG steps to grow my business. Oh man. In September, I took MAJOR steps to grow and legitimatize my business. After months of operating as a sole proprietorship, I decided to file to become an LLC. Part of becoming an LLC meant choosing an official business name, a task that has been on my mind for a long time. I put off choosing a name because it seemed like such a daunting decision. Weeks of brainstorming later, I finally made a decision and I am SO happy with it. I can’t wait to share it with you soon when I reveal my new logo. In September, I also brought on my first team member! Having help has been incredible and I feel a literal weight off my shoulders knowing that work is still getting done and I’m not the one doing it all. I also began work with my dream client, The Write Life, in September. I am LOVING this work and I am really enjoying the direction my business is heading.
2. Started teaching a college course at Temple University. It is so fulfilling to be living out my dream of being a teacher. I had no idea I’d have the opportunity to teach this soon and I am really enjoying the experience. I will say though, teaching a college course is A LOT of work. Between reading the material, prepping class lectures, developing homework/in-class assignments, grading papers and quizzes, etc. it’s definitely a big commitment. Timing wise, this probably wasn’t my smartest move with my growing business still being so new, but sometimes you need to take advantage of opportunities when they come your way. I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. I’m so impressed by my students- we have such great class discussions and I can already see their writing improving immensely with each assignment. I am hoping to make teaching at Temple a long-term thing. I’ve been told that teaching gets easier the longer you do it, so I’d love to get to that point in the future.
3. Settled into my apartment and threw my first party! September was a busy, busy month when it came to settling into my apartment. I finally fully feel like I live here and I am loving it. I had a pinch myself moment one random night when I was sitting on my couch with a glass of wine, watching TV in the dark with a candle glowing all by myself in my peaceful apartment. It’s something I’ve envisioned for a long time and it is finally happening. The little things, people! I threw my first party this month, too. My housewarming went off amazingly…I crammed about 20 people into my two-bedroom apartment, we had delicious food and sangria, and in general, it seemed like everyone had a really good time. I’m definitely not a party planner, so the housewarming caused a little bit of extra stress this month, but with the help of my friend Jordann, my sister Jamie and my mom, the party really went off without a hitch. I can’t wait to throw my next party!
In October, I will…
1. Speak at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women. As many of you know, I love public speaking! I was so excited when I found out a few months back that I had been selected to be part of the Pennsylvania Conference for Women. I’ve attended this massive conference almost every year since graduating from college. More than 9,000 women attend, so being able to be part of this year’s event was a huge honor. I served as a roundtable leader as part of the small business category and my session was titled “Hustle Hard.” This meant I did the same 30-minute session three times in a row with a small group of women. This was different than other speaking engagements I’ve done because it was smaller, more personal and much more interactive.
2. Participate in a Meditation Teacher Training. After falling off the wagon with my daily meditation practice, this training couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Since I’m writing this post after completing the training, I can honestly say it was one of the best trainings I’ve ever been a part of. I will share more in next month’s recap, but after the weekend, I’m feeling more confident and empowered than ever to start incorporating meditation into my weekly yoga classes. I’m also back in my personal meditation practice, so that feels great, too!
3. Indulge in some fall fun! I LOVE the month of October. So much. I honestly think it’s one of my favorite months of the year. This month, my calendar is packed with tons of good stuff! Last weekend, I attended Wanderlust, a “mindful triathlon” with a 5K, yoga class and meditation practice. This coming weekend, I’m attending a yoga workshop with Kathryn Budig. The following weekend I’m attending the Harry Potter Festival in my new neighborhood (yep, my new neighborhood has a massive Harry Potter Festival each year) and hosting an HP-style brunch beforehand. I’m going to the Gavin Degraw/Andy Grammar concert later this month and of course, I’m excited for Halloween and Halloween-related activities- I’m hoping to get myself to a haunted house at some point!
September Posts You May Have Missed
Newsflash: You Don’t Have to Do Things The Way You’ve Always Done Them
Becoming CEO: Month Seven of Solopreneurship
A Peek Behind The Curtain: My Biz & Life
Jessica Around The Web
Guest posts, articles and other places you can find me this month online.
Meet The Write Life’s New Managing Editor– for The Write Life (Yay! This is my announcement and hello to the TWL community!)
How Social Media Has Helped Grow 15 Small Businesses Around The Globe– thanks to Brittney Lynn for including me in this roundup!
6 Big Ways to Say YES to Your Writing Career– for The Write Life
Jetpack’s Picks: 5 Resources for October– for Jetpack
Let’s Get Visual: Five Jetpack Features to Try– for Jetpack
Linked I Loved in September
Some of you may have noticed I discontinued my Start Your Week Right Sunday link roundup. Don’t worry, I heard you! Many of you told me you love seeing what I’m reading, so now I’ll be sharing my favorite links monthly here in my monthly check-in.
What It’s Like to Have ‘High-Functioning’ Anxiety: Whoa. I’ve never heard of ‘high-functioning’ anxiety before, but I can relate to a lot in this article by Sarah Schuster.
This Personal Finance Blog Bootstrapped Its Way to $20 Million in Revenue: Don’t believe a blog can turn into a multi-million dollar business? Read this article about The Penny Hoarder by Simon Owens.
Going From Side Hustle to Full-Time: Lessons Learned: Jess Creatives shares her lessons learned from taking her side hustle full time. I can definitely relate!
Planning Your Trip to Philadelphia: Whether you live in Philly or you’re planning a visit, my friend Chrystina Noel wrote this epic post about visiting my lovely hometown.
Simple Accounting for Creatives: Ugh, accounting. One of the worst parts of running a biz. Ashley from Brooks Editorial breaks it down into five simple steps.
Being Multipassionate Doesn’t Make You a Failure. It Makes You Indispensable – Here’s Why: Are you multipassionate? So am I! Love this take on it from Melody Wilding.
Wait For It: My friend Julia’s yoga practice inspires me to no end- she has such dedication and always finds an amazing life lesson in her challenges.
Dear Overachieving Boss, When have you done enough?: Oh boy. I *really* needed to read this one from Kyla Roma. The headline says it all.
The Reality of Doing It All: Jen Cohen Crompton is amazing. Full-time job, new business, husband, baby…in this most she demystifies the reality that she’s “doing it all.”
What did you accomplish in September and what are you looking forward to accomplishing in October? Share your three things in the comments below!
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