2020 has been referred to as a “dumpster fire”, a wash, and the worst year. Many of us are eagerly looking forward to 2021, with the hopes that we are ushering in a new era.
First of all, I would say that just about everything in my life has shifted this past year, some of it bad, and some of it good. And, still, the items that appeared on my 2020 vision board have still come about, though not always in the way I wished it would. And, ironically, my 2020 Word of the Year, “Allow”, proved to be quite a bit prophetic.
This article will share some of the ways I pivoted in my business since the pandemic knocked on our doors and forced us to shelter-in-place. Then, I will share an invitation to dream and build a plan for a 2021 that is more aligned with YOUR insights and awareness after the “worst year ever”.
Education
As a lifelong learner and Master’s Degree holder, was there any doubt that I would turn to learning in order to navigate the uncertain times of the past year?
In April, I attended an online retreat through The Wild Ones, a great membership community that opened my eyes to new spiritual modalities in personal growth. This was my first virtual retreat, which was hosted by my business colleague and friend, Jenner Linden. She hosts monthly events, if one of your goals is to dive into spiritual practices in 2021.
In August, I decided to enroll in the Holistic Coach Training Institute with Beverly Sartain to pursue a holistic coaching certificate. While I had exited private coaching about a year ago, I felt that pursuing a credential that is approved through the International Coaching Federation was a long-term goal that gave me a much-needed intellectual respite from the drudgery of pandemic life.
Along the way, I have read numerous books and participated in Zoominars that helped me understand how to pivot my own health presentations into highly interactive virtual offerings. I also joined a Speak and Get Booked program with Karen Donaldson that provides specific and concrete training and tools to reach out to potential clients and become more visible.
Connection
If I’m honest, the hashtag #AloneTogether was enough to send me into a rage. Yes, I understand the need to isolate and stay distant, and I also feel sad when I see more small businesses closing and my kids say “no” to playdates with friends or even outdoor events.
Yet, with most in person events and outings canceled, I found so many other opportunities to connect! Not only did I connect more with friends virtually through Facebook, Google Meet, WhatsApp, etc, but I also found access to a number of other passionate leaders in health and wellness.
What this means is I participated in a variety of podcasts! The number is 13, though some are still in production.
If you listen to podcasts, check out some of my favorites below. Don’t forget to rate and share the episodes if you enjoyed them!
Girls 4 Greatness with Delia Perry: Appreciating the Body you Have
https://girls4greatness.com/episode91/
Soul Care Mom with Catherine Wilde: How to Reach your Goals and Dreams
The Jak’d Up Podcast with John Kovaleski of T2 Nutrition and Wellness: Weight Loss and Motivational Speaking
Inspire Her Health: How I Lost 100 Pounds without Restrictive Dieting and Kept it Off for 20 Years
New Moon Well-Being with Hannah Garland: Holistic Health Coaching and Astrology
The Alkimia Success Show with Diana Olynick: Strategies for Starting a Healthy Diet and Lifestyle
Push or Pivot with Thea Charles: Anything is Possible
Oh My Health with Jana Short: How to Bliss your Body
Unapologetically Livin’ with Cealie Benson: Weightless
Holistic Time Coach with Becca Rich: How to Have a Better Day with these 5 Morning Rituals
The Chantay Golson Show: Sustainable Lifestyle Habits
Front Seat- Road Back to You with Monica Vandermeer
The Bold Life Podcast with Dr. Nicole Byers: Losing Weight and Running Marathons
Podcasts weren’t the only medium where I connected with other health and wellness leaders. I was fortunate to be sponsored by Grab the Gold as a speaker for the Nourished Festival, a gluten-free online event. Here is an article they shared about not just my presentation, but also the 3 other speakers they sponsored: https://grabthegold.com/four-ways-to-hack-your-diet/
You can still watch the replay of my presentation from the Nourished Festival titled Sneaky Sources of Gluten in a Plant-Based Diet. Did I mention I had over 600 folks join me at for this talk? Access the recording here: https://online.nourishedfestival.com/tradeshow/session-schedule
In addition. I had fun cooking it up with QCTV show with my friend and colleague Nadia Giordana, and I created some new kitchen demo presentations for speaking clients (check out my full programs here).
Time Management
With all of the above activity, you would think I was completely overwhelmed and busy.
Yet, one thing the pandemic taught me was how to manage limited time better.
Since I have 2 school-age children who shifted from virtual learning in March to hybrid learning in September, and back again to virtual learning last month, I have been the primary “education assistant” at home.
This means that I went from having a solid time block from 9-2 every Monday-Friday to focus on my business to having practically zero daytime hours for business. Not to mention all of the cleaning and cooking I suddenly found myself doing.
As a consequence, I became extremely efficient with my time. And, I had to set different hours that I showed up to serve my coaching clients. As a result, I stepped back from some other meetings and Facebook groups that I had participated in before.
Not to mention I figured out how to do several kitchen demos at home with a computer, phone, 3 other people in my house using Wi-Fi and a noisy little dog.
Changing the hours I worked has been a tough transition, and is one of the joys of being an entrepreneur. I also had to be clear with my family about my working hours, which often happened nights and weekends.
Some of my time was spent being sad and feeling like I was missing out. Understanding that I was showing some early signs of burnout, I started working with a burnout coach (who is also in my holistic coaching program): Susan Sierra Life Coaching.
When it comes to time, the best way to manage it is to understand what your own physical, emotional and spiritual needs are. Maybe the pandemic is the first time these needs slapped you upside the head. As a coach who also works with other coaches, I understand the intersection of the many areas of your life and how it affects your ability to set goals.
Let’s chat about whether coaching is a fit for you.
At the end of 2020, what some call “the worst year ever”, I have learned how to tap into my education, my connection with others, and most importantly, my boundaries around time management.
What are some of the things you learned from 2020? If you want to plan a different 2021, this time with YOUR NEEDS and GOALS at the forefront, join me for a live workshop on January 12, 2021. Together, we can plan not just a better year, but also the best year ever!
