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lifestyle
Reflecting on 2017
A couple years ago, I came across the idea of celebrating your wins of the past year, rather than solely focusing on making resolutions for the new year. I think it was Danielle LaPorte who wrote about it. This was really appealing to me because I’ve never felt very successful at sticking to my new year’s resolutions. Can you relate to that too? I know it’s very common to abandon new resolutions after just a few weeks or months. So instead of only swearing we’ll be better or different people in the new year, let’s take some time to praise who we already are. Seeing on paper how many things (big and small) you actually did achieve will uplift you and motivate you for 2018.
2017 was a very interesting and intense year for me, and for many of us. If you only look at what’s going on around the world and in our government, 2017 was pretty damn bleak. But I think it’s important to take some time to reflect on our own personal joys and accomplishments. I look at this exercise as a combination of gratitude and self-praise. We all probably need a little more of both in our lives!
Below, I share a bunch of my personal and professional wins from 2017. Next week, I’ll get into how to use these reflections to make exciting goals for 2018. Please share your wins in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you and cheer you on.
Personal Wins
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In January, Dan and I traveled to Tulum, Mexico, where we climbed an ancient pyramid, swam in a cenote, and drank lots of margaritas with friends
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We also went to Colorado, where I finally got to see the Rocky Mountains and Red Rocks in person (and drank so many delicious IPAs!)
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I met Roxane Gay TWICE
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I met Sherri Dupree-Bemis from Eisley
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I finally settled an 18-month injury claim with the government
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I bought a house with that settlement money!
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Dan and I somehow survived hiring home improvement contractors
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I became a Maryland resident, which means I also have Congressional representation for the first time in over 8 years (this is a big deal!)
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I got lasik eye surgery and now I have 20/20 vision!
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Dan and I traveled to Portland, Oregon, and got engaged at Multnomah Falls (!)
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I endeavored to prioritize friendship, and made lots of one-on-one dates with close friends
Professional Wins
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I doubled my business income from 2016
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I raised my coaching rates and got several new clients at those rates
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I planned and executed a screening of the documentary Dream, Girl with several other fantastic women’s organizations
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I was hired and paid as a freelance writer for a new financial blog
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Several of my blog posts were published on the Huffington Post
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I led my first workshop in collaboration with Ladies Get Paid DC
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I had 3 paid speaking gigs (and a few unpaid gigs too)
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I was quoted as a financial expert in outlets such as Forbes, Bustle, and Credit Karma
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I was quoted in a print magazine (Woman’s Day) for the first time
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I was interviewed on 5 podcasts, 2 of which are now live: Clever Girl Finance, The Daily Cup
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I attended the first ever Lola Retreat and my second FinCon
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I became a certified coach through CoachDiversity Institute
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I quit my day job and will be a full-time entrepreneur in 2018!
This felt a little less like reflecting and a little more like bragging, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I feel so much more positive about my own achievements in 2017 and confident about what I can make happen in 2018. Let’s do this!
What did you achieve in 2017? I really want to know. Share in the comments!
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