Business and Career Goals for the New Year
BY MELANIE BARR
This year, we've adapted, survived the chaos, and created opportunity out of it. We've managed to build, even while (at times) the world seems to be crumbling around us. We've used this time to overcome and transform… it's been incredible to witness your strength.
Now is the time to start thinking about what we can do — as business owners, professionals, and consumers — to serve and support each other.
Asking, “if I don’t try, will I regret it?” in our moments of reflection is such an important question to ask ourselves. What will you regret not doing? We all have things we want to do and accomplish. Sometimes, we just need a little inspiration to get things going.
As the saying goes… You never know unless you try. I’m here with our She Built It™ family to remind you that “you can and you will crush your career goals in 2021.”
Trust Your Instincts
Trust yourself to know the answers.
Consider what you can do in your career and business to bring yourself joy. As we grow, the things that bring us joy may change.
I’ve been in business development, management, and strategy for most of my career. I like the challenge, and seeing the happiness and success of my clients. I’ve sold millions in products for Marriott, AT&T, the LA Dodgers, She Built It™, and others.
When I am able to help someone grow their business, help them run their business more efficiently, or help them improve their personal lives — it’s a magical feeling.
Listen to your inner voice, build upon your talents, then trust your instincts to crush your career goals. You may stumble a bit but don’t let that stop you. Trust your instincts!
Compete Only With Yourself
Try not to get caught up in what other people are doing. This can be challenging at times, I know. Instead, set goals for yourself and make them happen.
Focus on only what you and your business are doing. Thinking about a perceived competitor will only slow us down, or worse, discourage us from pursuing what we are capable of. Stay in a positive state, and put that much needed energy into building the business of your dreams and crushing your goals. It’s a much better use of your time and you will be a happier person.
We all have a story — obstacles we’ve overcome, leaps we decided to make when we weren't sure where we would land, and moments of pure joy when we almost could not believe what we had just accomplished.
There are so many untold stories of incredible women in the She Built It™ community who are killing it (in their way and on their terms) in their lives and careers. Use their successes as fuel for your business, career goals, and dreams. There is room for everyone.
Focus on What Brings YOU Joy
At times, we can get so caught up with work, family, and life that we stop doing the little (or big!) things that bring us joy.
For me, it’s running consistently, hiking, spending enough quality time with friends, and going to the beach. I live less than a mile from the beach and, some weeks, I’m so busy that I don’t even get to see it.
Recently, I decided to write down a list of all the things I love to do that I’m either too busy to do or not taking the time to do. I put the list on the corner of my desk as a reminder and decided to focus on doing one of them a week. Hopefully, they will turn into weekly habits and I’ll have that touch of added joy and fun in my week.
I’m grateful to be able to wake up and love what I do. Maybe you're thinking… I don’t love what I do, or I like what I do but I’m ready for more. Take small steps. Life doesn’t need to change in a major way, much less in one day. Start taking the small steps needed toward finding your joy — joy in your work, in your family and friends, and in your life.
Try Not to Overthink It
Sometimes, if you overthink things, you end up doing nothing at all. Recently, I needed to reach out to a potential client and even though I knew they were interested, I kept dragging my feet, which is unlike me. I finally decided that I wasn’t going to do anything else, until I reached out to that potential client.
Minutes later, the potential client responded with a “yes” to my ask. Things don’t always happen this easily but it made me realize that if you’re dragging your feet, or worried for whatever reason, focus on the outcome and not the action. Dig deep, find your confidence, and leap. You’ll never know unless you try.
When my twins were born, I found myself sitting in the nursery for hours. These were such beautiful moments. I will always remember and cherish them, but I also felt a little lost and isolated.
I’d always been very social and career driven — I still am, and now more than ever — but I knew that life as I knew it was changing in a big way. I remember when the nurse at Cedars hospital brought the twins into my room for the first time together, instead of one at a time.
I was alone in the room (my husband and family were on the way but had not arrived yet) with all four sweet eyes looking at me — both of them wanting to be picked up, snuggled, and loved. They were so little. I realized I couldn’t pick them both up at the same time.
When I moved to LA at 19, I didn’t know one single person. If something happened, or if I needed help, I’m not sure who I would have called. As a result, I became very independent and career driven.
In this moment, with my twins, I knew that as a very independent person who rarely asked for help, I’d need to learn to ask for it and graciously accept it. Asking for support can be hard. For all of us, Type A women (including me!) who love creating, building, leading, empowering others, and making things happen, it’s okay to ask for help, take time for yourselves, and do the things that make YOU happy.
I hope you take some beautiful downtime to do whatever makes you happy today.
Cheers to Creating an Incredible New Year
Let’s make 2021 an amazing year.
We all have fears, but when I think about the toughest times in my life it was the positive content that got me through. It is the people who stay focused, creative, innovative, and positive that will make considerable leaps in the New Year.
Let’s do this together. If this positive content is moving you forward, and you’d like more in the way of connecting with women who will support you, I hope you join us. As we wrap up 2020, I wish you the best life has to offer you in 2021.
Sending you and the world the biggest virtual hug. See you in the New Year. Never stop striving to experience the life that you crave.
With gratitude,
Melanie