Goodbye 2021! Before you jump into New Year’s resolutions, it’s helpful to complete a year-end review. In this article, I share what I learned, what I left, and the best podcasts for you to listen to before you set your New Year’s resolutions.
Everyone agrees that 2020 was a bit of a dumpster fire. Some people attest that 2021 was the “hold my beer” year.
No matter what the past two years of pandemic living have been like for you, here is the best way to enter into a New Year with your body, soul and spirit intact.
Every year, I conduct a year-end review of my business and life. This is because I am a great starter AND finisher. Plus, as a holistic coach, I have helped many others follow a progression of achieving their goals using a monthly milestone review process (hint: that makes the year-end review less painful).
Before I jump into what I learned and left in 2021, I want to let you know that I am a big fan of Word of the Year. I have been choosing a Word of the Year since 2017. Last year’s word was “Amplify“. Read through to the end of this article to find the debut of my word for 2022.
Year of the Launch
I guess you could say that 2021 was the Year of the Launch for me. Here is how that broke down:
- Launched Confidence on Camera (returning 2022 with YouTube content)
- Launched Speech in a Week
- Launched Speak like a Boss bootcamp
- Launched Craft your Signature Speech
- Launched The Confident Speaker’s Club
I also played around with the perfect lead magnet for a public speaking coach. In the early part of the year, I started with the 3 day Speak Up video series, and ended with the Structure your Successful Speech download.
Speaking Up
From the speaking side of my business, I had one of my best years ever!
- 14 podcasts*
- 4 online summits
- 26 speaking engagements (19 paid)
*see below for the best 2021 podcasts for your health or business goals
New Things I Tried
- Recording paid short-form videos on Tangi, before the Google-based social media went away.
- Establishing a license for recorded workshops with a wellness company.
- Competing in the Advance your Reach Platform Speak Off with Pete Vargas.
Coaching
Not only did I complete my holistic coach training certificate from the Holistic Coach Training Institute, but I also participated in a variety of peer coaching opportunities. These relationships enriched my life in so many ways, and I am ever grateful for having great coaches.
Interestingly, I did not pay for a private coach all year.
What I Learned
Listing out accomplishments and completed projects is not enough when it comes to a year-end review process. That is why I urge you to consider identifying what you learned from your hard work all year long.
Here are some insights I came up with from my business projects.
- Speaking is my passion, so dropping health coaching was a great fit for my business evolution. That doesn’t mean it happened quickly- I didn’t “officially” quit health coaching until summer of 2021. Letting go is hard!
- Launching new things is fun, but not necessarily the most effective for growth. That is why I work with clients on a consistent process for finding and booking speaking engagements using the same signature speech.
- Videos can be great for engagement, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and profit. I have received all of these benefits from creating and sharing more videos this year, and curating podcasts can be an “easy” way to stay top of mind.
- Websites (both design and maintenance) are NOT my strength, and it is ok to pay experts to work on this for me. Still a work in progress- more to come in 2022.
- I dislike DIY courses or group memberships, both of which I purchased this year. These things have a time and place, but are not most aligned with how I best learn or grow. You can listen to why in the video below.
What I Left
This year was a retreat year for me, both professionally and personally. Retreat is defined as “an act of moving back or withdrawing.” I needed to do this as my own personal dissatisfaction (both from the stressors of 2020 and external factors) left me in a zone of languishing and apathy.
When I told my family that I was going to a small Minnesota city to a quiet Inn for several days by myself, they were a bit scared at my exit. Those few days by myself were blissful for my introverted needs for peace, quiet, and no expectations or errands. Consequently, I was able to just “be”. As a serial action-taker, this was a much needed break.
I observed a similar “languishing” in my coaching clients. If you are less than happy with how the past year went for you, perhaps following your own year-end review process might help you start 2022 on the right foot?
From a professional standpoint, I left several memberships and groups, including ones I had belonged to for several years. Typically, I have a 2-3 year pattern of leaving things or places that no longer serve me, whether it’s a fitness service, membership group, or tool.
By the way, I am not bittersweet about leaving these memberships, as they had their time and place in my evolution.
Note: several groups that I belonged to disbanded of their own accord, so they could pursue their own aligned path. I wish all of those groups well, and applaud their determination!
From Writing to Video
I also stopped blogging in favor of creating more YouTube content (subscribe here). I still love writing, and often journal for personal reflections as part of my morning rituals. However, from a creativity standpoint, my efforts will focus on digital content.
As a speaker, having a video content library is no longer optional, which is why I will be incorporating more lessons on putting videos on YouTube as part of the next round of Confidence on Camera (coming January 2022).
Gone are the days where speakers can get by with written program descriptions and testimonials from previous clients. Having some sort of video sample (even if not a professional created speaker reel) is critical to booking more presentations.
Plus, videos can often be licensed and repurposed through other platforms using video editing tools.
Meditation returns to Music
While I had a dedicated and committed meditation practice throughout 2020, averaging a minimum of 2.5 hours every month, I stepped away from meditating as often.
What did I step into? They say “music soothes the savage beast”, and it certainly was the case for me! From creating my first Amazon Prime playlist for “Amplify” to revisiting old favorites, I embraced the power of music. I also added chimes and beats to my grounding practices.
Perhaps this will evolve into more work with drums or binaural beats? I am open to the possibilities with music.
Movement AND Muscles
Movement has always been important to me, and the beginning of 2021 forced me into mostly walking. I had intermittent knee issues (even got a brace for my knee), so focused on getting at least 30 miles every month. My husband and I also included walking as part of our couple time, which was nice.
Incidentally, my corporate speaking clients booked me for the ever-popular Movement Maximizers presentation more than any other program. It appears I wasn’t the only one eager to move more this past year.
I will never stop moving, but at the end of 2021, I focused more on muscles by joining a functional fitness gym. On top of working my muscles again, I can get some time away from the house. Fresh air, strong muscles and the ability to escape for short periods of time is well worth it.
Coaching versus Counseling
I have great respect for counselors and therapists, who have been on my family’s care team for years. Yet, until this past year, I did not want to see a counselor for myself.
Oh, how wrong I was!
In case you’re wondering the difference between coaching and counseling, here is how I see it. All opinions are my own, and in no way represent medical advice.
- A counselor helps you navigate emotional trauma, blockages, or historical events that prevent you from moving forward in your life. The result is peace today.
- A coach facilitates an action plan and accountability to design a better future. The result is joy tomorrow.
I tag-teamed both a coach and counselor (neither of which knew the other was involved in my care) to deal with a very personal family issue that has been plaguing me for years.
This was one of the best things I did all year long!
Leadership
What I missed in some of my group activities is my natural desire to lead. I don’t have a Masters Degree in Leadership for nothing 😉
Therefore, I did join the local MN ICF Chapter as a co-chair on the Communications committee.
I also joined some coaching and speaking directories to grow my connections. This doesn’t mean I will lead these communities, but it does allow me to interact with a variety of players within the coaching industry. This is a sign of embedded leadership.
As for speaking directories, do you know I offer a free month of access to speaking leads for every coaching client who works with me? This is offered through my affiliate link with Speakertunity. Schedule a call for details.
There you have my 2021 year-end review. Before we get prepped for your own party, I want to share with you a variety of business and health related podcasts that can fuel your fire for 2022.
Choose your favorite topics to build your strategy for your 2022 goals. Don’t forget to leave a review if you love the episode!
If you want to follow all of my featured podcasts, you can save them for your playlist from my Pinterest board (including TV interviews).
Best 2021 Podcasts for your Goals
Health or Weight Loss
- Losing 100 Pounds the Right Way on the Road Back to You podcast: https://lnns.co/jo1qbO5TFM-
- Anything is Possible on the Push or Pivot podcast: https://www.pushorpivot.com/episodes/episode-56
- A Direct Path to Body Bliss on Fit for Joy podcast: https://fitforjoy.org/guests1/2021/5/15/jennifer-espinosa-goswami
Confidence
- You Can Be Confident on the Wholly a Woman podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/user/nfppharmacist/episode-84-you-can-be-confident-featurin
- How to Build your Confidence on Camera on Ignite the Desire podcast: https://pod.co/ignite-the-desire/cynthia-20-bnc
- Confidence is so Sexy on League of Unreasonably Confident Women: https://youtu.be/HSSTql-9NO4
Public Speaking
- How to Get Visible with your Story on the Holistic Coach Legacy podcast: https://holisticcoachtraininginstitute.com/how-to-get-visible-with-your-story-episode-06/
- Speak like a Boss on Cocktails and Content Creation podcast: https://www.cocktailsandcontentcreation.com/episode/how-to-speak-like-a-boss-in-your-messaging
- Camera, Confidence & Cash on Marketing, Media and Money podcast: https://pattyfarmer.com/podcast/camera-confidence-cash-jenn-espinosa-goswami/
As for 2022, I am ready with my brand new Word of the Year.
Are you ready?
My word for 2022 is “Serenity”.
Cheers to a wonderful 2022!