Here it is.
The BIG “Year in Review” Post!

I’ve been doing some serious contemplating on this post this past week (yea, sounds trite, but the reality is the end of the year is the ideal time to do this. I’m done with resolutions though- I’ll work from intention).

I’m going to do this in more of a list style than a super wordy post (o.k., I’m going to ATTEMPT to… let’s see how it plays out). Because sometimes less is more.

A Look Back

What Worked:

• BLOGGING!
  O.k, this one sounds a little ‘DUH’. But anyone who has clients probably understands that when you have client work it’s pretty easy to get caught up in these projects instead of putting YOUR work, site, projects first.
  Hands down- the more often I post and create content, the more my business grows.
• VIDEO!
  I get MORE comments, feedback and usable analytics when I include video in my posts. Unfortunately this got in the way a bit for me because I started feeling like I had to do a video EVERY time I posted- and it can be a bit time intensive (a new computer is on the horizon VERY soon! ), but at the end of the day it WORKS!
• Creating my OWN PRODUCTS!
  I finally started working on my own product(s). And it has, WITHOUT a doubt, been the single SMARTEST decision I made this year. Lots to work on in terms of execution and promotion, but putting out a few courses and my ‘Diving Into Genesis” product as well as the “WP SEO Mastery Course” was the BEST thing I did this past year (for my business). You can probably guess there will be more of this in 2012!
• HIRING!
  This year was HUGE for me when it came to hiring a team! I now have a full time assistant, programmer and graphics person on my team. Which means more overhead, but it’s also brought in more structure and piece of mind. We’re still implementing systems and getting things in place, but I’m fine with all that.
• Time for ME!
  I’ve finally learned that when I start feeling off balance, crabby, frustrated, pissy… you name it… if I don’t take time for myself NOTHING will get accomplished.
  
  Some of my favorite stand by’s:
  - Naps! nothing beats a good nap in the middle of the day, especially when your bed is comfy and I LOVE my bed!
  – Pool time! This is my sane maker during the summer. A good book and a long float goes a LONG way!
  – Exercise. This works best when I start my day with a workout (which is hard when my kids are off because I really like sleeping in… )
  – Time with my peeps! Family, friends, networking… this is what it’s all about, right? Oh… and my new beau! But we’ll get to that in “a little love”
  – A trusted therapist mentor (yes, she’s my therapist, but really so much more)! For me, this isn’t a high priced business coach… I started seeing my therapist after I lost my husband, but I think I’ve done more self-work this past year and a half than in the 7 years prior. She has done more for me (and my business) than ANY coach could have possibly done (I’m NOT saying not to hire a coach, I’m saying TRUST what YOU know YOU need at the time). And I don’t even care that my friends call me “What About Bob!”
  – SOME type of meditation or spiritual practice built into my day… EVERY day! Nothing throws me off quicker than when I don’t do this.
  -Letting Go
• Having FUN!
  I decided mid-year this past year that if it wasn’t fun I’m NOT going to do it. When I followed this, it worked.

What DIDN’T work:

• Being on retainer.
  I had someone hire me (for a decent chunk of change) to be on retainer to work on getting their business really launched on the web. I will NEVER do this again. O.k., maybe that’s a bit dramatic. But…
  “When people show you who they are, BELIEVE them!” Ever known in your GUT that you simply SHOULD NOT work with someone? That was the case with this client- but I did it anyways (… read between the lines here… followed the money). I’m not referring
  to clients who we do monthly maintenance, service for, etc. I mean someone who thinks you are at their beck & call. I realized very quickly that I had created a job for myself.  The ending of this agreement was a HUGE blessing.
• NOT having set hours and availability.
  I found myself (again), being TOO available and feeling like I was NOT getting anything accomplished.
  Why is it the most basic and obvious things can be the hardest? (seriously, if you have an answer, I’m all ears!)
• MORE than you need!
  A year ago I decided I needed to invest in Infusionsoft for a big project. EPIC FAIL.
  I think it’s a great system- but I don’t need it. It’s more than I need and I spent WAY more time working on it than working on my business.
  Back to Aweber. But more on that in an upcoming post too.
• Listening to the crap in my HEAD instead of the feelings in my GUT!
  Without fail my ego head steers me wrong (the majority of the time… see the first bullet in this list about being on retainer).

Life Lessons

• Being vulnerable is O.K. Actually, it’s more than o.k. It feels really good and I actually like living my life in a gentler manner (note: can’t say I’ve mastered this- have a LONG way to go, but I can’t go back now).
• Rest is not only helpful, it is REQUIRED!
• Taking time for learning new things for my business PAYS off! Yes, that means actually going through the courses and products I buy.
• Letting Go WORKS! (yep, this is in this post twice for a GOOD REASON)
• It ALL comes down to CHOICE! This is a TOUGH nugget to swallow… but no matter how you slice it, EVERYTHING comes down to choice. You can choose your mood, your response, your reaction, WHO you work with, HOW you work, ALL OF IT!
• Intention lasts a LOT longer than motivation.
• Quiet is GOOD!
• Meditation works (well, when you do it… ).
• Being Kind is always better than being Right.
• Being totally open and authentic helps people connect with you. We all have our own scary stories, skeletons, you name it. Sharing is powerful (albeit incredibly HARD… the rewards are worth it. I promise!)
• And to quote Coldplay, “I’d rather be a comma than a full stop”

A Little Love

Speaking of being TOTALLY open and authentic… may as well share this piece of my life too!

Many of you may know my personal story and how I got here (if not, check out my ‘About’ page, which, depending on when you read this, should be totally updated going into 2012!). I was widowed 8 1/2 years ago when my kids were 6 & 2. It’s been a long and challenging road getting here (no regrets), but I am giddy to share there is someone in my life again.

I’ve dated on & off since losing my husband, but nothing has been like this! Love has entered my life again and I’m truly grateful.

I’ll keep you posted on this, but needless to say I’m not spending quite as much time in front of the computer as I used to, which means being more efficient when I am working is a HUGE priority.

Here’s to a wonderful, kind, inspiring, strong and successful 2012!

Kim

Filed Under: Kim Doyal, WP News, Tips and Ideas

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