Business, Adventure, and Life Lessons from 2023
2023 was pretty epic. I want you to learn from what I learned myself. It's a lot, so buckle up.
1 | 2023 Highlights ✨ - for you if you like a short-n-sweet celebratory list
🌊 learned to kayak
🌋 climbed a new volcano
🚲 biked from Seattle to Portland
⛰️ completed the Triple D challenge
🏃🏼♀️ ran a DIY desert 55k
🌵 rafted through the Grand Canyon
🍻 survived some wine-and-beer themed endurance challenges
📖 published a book
🎙️ launched a podcast
💕 facilitated more magical community events
2 | Work/Business Lessons 💻 - for the entrepreneurship/transparency nerd
My client work needs a minimum investment. 💵
Simply having a client exist on my roster takes brain power. Even just a couple hours a month feels far more than that since there’s an open loop in my mind. I realized I need a monthly minimum investment in order to start working with new clients, and I need a minimum investment in order to say yes to a one-off project, too.
How I start my workday is crucial. ⏰
If I dove straight into client work, I ended up putting off my personal work projects all day. If I prioritized what I call “power hour” and work on my projects first thing, I’d still get my client work done later, but I’d also work on the projects I’d otherwise neglect.
I’m craving simplification. ✌️
After ~2 years of saying “yes” to nearly all opportunities, I’m sooo ready to be more intentional about what I offer and which projects I take on. I can be picky!
3 | Sports/Outdoors Lessons 💪 - for anyone looking to add a bit more adventure into 2024
I need to get outside before 1pm. 🌲
Whether I’m training for an event or not, moving my body outdoors is one of the top values in my life. I found that some days I’d get so focused on work that suddenly it’d be mid-afternoon, when I much prefer to get out in late morning. I’ll be adjusting my schedule proactively this year to prioritize my preferences.
I’ve been holding back because I’m scared. 😮💨
It’s been nearly a decade since I was sucked into obsession and fixation on numbers and perfection, but I’m still afraid that if I start “trying my hardest,” I’ll fall back into unhealthy patterns. Because of that, I haven’t given my “all” to anything physically yet. I’m intending to run a 100 miler to give myself a chance to push myself beyond what I know I can already do without hyper-fixating on number-related goals.
I adore being a beginner. 🌊
Kayaking proved it in 2023. In 2024, I’ve already freaking loved it with surfing. Who knows what’s next?
4 | My 2023 Challenges 😭 - for those of you who like the "keepin' it real" vibes
Having a consistent sleep schedule. 😴
Looking back at my monthly reflections/planning tools, almost every month I intended to have more consistent sleep habits, and each month I didn’t follow through. I still need to noodle on why this is!
Doing too much free labor. 💸
I already volunteer a lot of time each month, but I found myself still squeezing in favors to help others who asked for my ideas or feedback. I love meeting people for these “coffee chats,” but moving forward I’m going to limit them to 2 per month and at times that I reserve for them, rather than newly scheduling each.
Home organization. 🏠
When there’s SO MUCH FUN to be had out and about, it was hard for me to find time to do tasks like organize the garage, repair gear, and sell the handful of big things I need to sell. I know that’s a trade-off that’s worth it to have all the fun, but I still miss having more neatness/organization at home.
5 | My Top 2023 Habits 💕 - for anyone looking to get reinvigorated through creativity or systems/organization
Waking up and heading straight outside to the deck. ☀️
I did this in the warmer months and absolutely loved it. Getting light on my face as soon as I rolled out of bed felt incredible. Rolling around bringing this one back, perhaps even in cold weather.
Keeping dump lists. ✏️
On LinkedIn (another fun habit I started in 2023), I shared a while back about how I found myself getting way too distracted by others’ ideas and concepts I was curious about. It made it harder to create, since I was consuming more. I started a “Curiosity Dump” where I keep a list of things to peruse ONLY on Fridays. Often, I end up not caring about what I put on there-- time saved!-- and for the stuff I do care about, I can batch it for once a week.
My weekly virtual coworking club. 💻
It is a JOY to meet with folks on Zoom on Wednesday mornings to share feedback and stay accountable. (LMK if you want to join!)
GRAND FINALE!
How we can work together this season:
Get my book! 📚It'll explain how I use cyclical living and the inner seasons of my menstrual cycle to reach goals, find intention, and live an adventurous life.
Book a workshop or talk for your team! 🎤 I speak about the connection between women and nature: cyclical living/workflow/teamwork (vs. linear), what we can learn from adventure, how our bodies can teach us to live with less burnout (including menstrual cycle awareness), and the power of women collaborating in the outdoors.
Join my coworking group! 🤝 This virtual group meets most Wednesdays for deep work on projects and to stay accountable.
Book creative consulting with me! 🧠 Let's bring your wild idea to life.