While I'm not sure I named it as such at the end of last year, at some point I did declared 2014 to be centered around one word - FUN. Coming off the prior two years of being very hunkered down and not doing a whole lot because I simply couldn't afford it I wanted to be much more intentional about having more fun, doing things I enjoy and trusting that would uplift my life overall. And that I did! So first theme of 2014 = Fun.
FUN: trip to spain where I toured around Madrid, San Sebastian, and Barcelona, met up with old/dear friends along my travels and made new friends too, wined and dined and overall just loved being back in Europe. I took two trips to Austin that were both a lot of fun but more importantly each one led to what will now be my 2015. I also spent lots of time exploring and seeing different aspects of different cities as I traveled for work - NYC, SF, and Portland and especially loved being back in NYC and having the time and opportunity to spend with my college friends, see their beautiful homes and all of their children. And what a trip going back to work in Soho again - it was like my career came full circle, awesome. Other random fun highlights - my bike lessons that proved fun in the end, my first stand up paddle board adventure, flying to spain solo and seeing how fun traveling on your own can be, my trips home with family - esp the kids and even some fun cousin times over the summer, my nephews bar mitzvah - SO FUN, my experience with the psychic / medium and hearing from my mom, dad and lori's visit to LA, my niece Margaret coming to spend one whole week with me - best week of the year!!!, hosting my friends and dogs thanksgiving, and spending my final 30 days in LA with people who have come to mean a lot to me!!
The next theme that comes to mind is the word LAUNCH. My cousin once said to me with regard to business, it's a slow (and even painful) build but it's a fast launch and you gotta be ready for it because you don't always see it coming and then it just happens (same cousin who told me the best advice he had for "making it" is to NEVER GIVE UP). That was my year for ostrich coaching + consulting. Each month the phone kept ringing and I kept thinking to myself - is it happening, could this be or is this just a lucky couple of months? Well after now looking back on the year as a whole - my "fast launch" came in 2014, and wow was it awesome.
LAUNCH: My work took me continuously to cities that I love including SF and Portland and even back to NYC two times where I got hired by my very first boss to do some leadership training at his agency - what a great experience. I had lots of repeat business this year and lots of referrals - the best compliment ever. I hit it out of the park with a big speaking opportunity and realized I truly love speaking in front of others so that was exciting. I added another 15 private clients to my roster and have watched them thrive over the course of the year which has been so rewarding. And I even manifested a client in Spain which led to me getting back to Europe and having an incredible experience both personally and professionally. I made a great connection with the founder of an inspiring movement, the 3% conference, and got the chance to coach her and have a presence at the conference - incredible launch pad for me directly to my target audience. I successful generated a monthly newsletter that seems to get lots of reads and positive buzz from my network. And finally I was able to earn enough income to actually live and not incur any more debt (for the most part) which was a financial goal of mine for this year and I'm thrilled I hit that and am able to say I've seen 300% growth since I launched in 2012 -- YIPEEEEE.
There feels like there's another big theme that happened in 2014 that led me to the big decision I made at the end of the year which was to move to Austin. And when I look back over the course of 2014, likely much to do with the above two themes, I realize there's been a sense of RENEWAL. You could also call it growth and even maybe some additional healing but I'd say more than anything it's been a sense of renewal that's led to my desire to energetically move to the next chapter of my life and in doing so, I'm physically moving locations.
RENEWAL: So, so much has happened in my five years in Los Angeles - as I've said before it's been so much change and eventual growth, that it's made up all the content on this blog. S much of it was difficult, all leading to a better place now, but it sure was painful to work through and process. And sometimes I look back and am shocked I've stayed in LA as long as I have given all I was going through -- simply because it's not a city that drives a sense of community, closeness, authenticity and genuine care and concern of others. But despite that I was able to find a few amazing souls who helped me along my journey here and some old friends who thankfully live here who I also couldn't have done all this without. But in the end, I realized in 2014 that I've outgrown my time here. I came here in 2009 feeling a bit lost and wondering what was next for me and after A LOT of ups and downs since then I've rebuilt my life and now I know what's left for me to include in the vision I hold for a complete and content life. And I don't see that happening for me here in LA - it's time to move on, take the person I've become (and mr koko, my buddy) and set myself up for the life that I'm envisioning. Starting with a house to make a home and a city where everyone is kind, authentic, creative, and fun - more aligned to the person I am and the people I want to surround myself with. And in time, I 100% believe my vision will become complete when I meet my partner in crime and fall madly in love. So 2014 crated a sense of renewal for me that's allowed me to look forward and, once again in my life, make the leap...while trusting that the net always does appear.
It's been a hell of a year - what a journey - and I'm so psyched to be kicking off 2015 and to soon be in my new city to see all that it has to offer. I want to take a moment to thank all of my readers and each of you who have played such an important part in my year - here's to you. And here's to our health, without it life is much harder and I'm incredibly grateful to have my own and for those who are near and dear to me to have theirs as well.
Happy new year, let's do this 2015!
No comments:
Post a Comment