Reflect & Review 2022
Description:
In today's episode, I’m talking you through an exercise that I love to do at this time of year with my clients and for my business where we can take some time out and reflect on the last 12 months.
It's the run-up to Christmas and the end of the year, so these past few weeks have been crazy busy with so many plates spinning and lots going on, whether that's in business or at home.
I want to encourage you to pause, take some time out to breathe and to reflect and finish the year in a way that feels good, that allows you to enjoy the festivities, recharge your batteries and be in the best place to move into the new year.
In this week’s episode I invite you to ask yourself these questions and see what comes up for you and what you notice:
What have you achieved this year that has made you happy?
What are the three things that you’ve learned about yourself this year?
Who are those key people who have really been there for you? Who have you loved being around?
As you move forward into 2023 what are the things that you are going to STOP doing, START doing or do MORE of?
Here are the highlights from this episode:
(00.00) Introduction
(01:35) Sometimes it’s really nice to pause and take some time to reflect on the year.
(03:54) What came up in conversation yesterday at my Future-Proof Club.
(05:54) The importance of taking time to reflect on the last 12 months.
(08:05) What have you achieved this year that has made you happy?
(12:19) Three things that you’ve learned about yourself this year.
(14:36) Live in the present and experience what’s going on.
(16:59) Have a think back over the year and note down any people who have really been there.
(19:31) What are the things you’re going to do more of in 2022?
(22:28) The end of the first part.
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I'm Lucy Rennie, and welcome to my Future Proof your Business Podcast.
The podcast that provides you with everything you need to know to build solid foundations and ultimately Future-Proof your Business.
I'm on a mission to share my love for small business with you and help you to enjoy the extraordinary ripple effect that comes through harnessing the power of people and relationships.
And I want to make sure that you can reap the benefits of being a business and a brand that people know, like and trust.
I'm a huge champion for small business and a massive believer in the fact that people do business with people.
This podcast is here to inspire you, encourage you and support you on this roller coaster ride that is building, growing and Future Proofing your business.
Hi, and welcome to the Future-Proof your Business podcast. I'm Lucy Rennie and today, I'm going to talk you through an exercise that I love to do at this time of year with my clients, whether they're one-to -one or in the Mastermind, or in the Future-Proof Club or even, you know, the big kind of corporate clients, I think it's a really, really nice exercise to do, where we can take some time out, because I don't know about you, but the last few weeks have just been crazy busy with so many plates to spin and lots going on whether that's in business, at home, if you've got kids, the weather, it's been snowing, there's all sorts going on, there's performances shows, there's all sorts going on. And I think it can be almost kind of, we feel like we're on that sort of helter skelter ride up to the end of the year. And I think sometimes it's really nice just to pause, just to take some time out to breathe. And, and really just to take some time to reflect and to review the last 12 months and to think about what's happened over the last year. Whether that's personal life, whether that's in your business, and just really acknowledge, take in, reflect and get yourself in a place where you can really I suppose what it is, is learn from what's happened this year. And make sure that you can take forward the learnings, the things that have gone well, or the things that you want to do more of those kinds of things, into 2023.
So what I'm going to do is I think what will create maybe a two parter to this, so that over the Christmas period, you can really take some time out for you and your business. And so this first episode is going to be sort of taking you through some key questions, some key things to think about, so that you can really reflect and review on the year. And then we'll also do an episode, so Part two, where I'll help you to then think about setting the scene for 2023. And this always gets me really excited this time of year, because I just think it's so good to sort of see where we've come from. Sometimes, I think especially because as business owners, we can get so caught up in the day to day we can get so caught up in the doing, and then sort of the speed because it is we have to admit the speed that everything that life is, you know, thrown at us that there's a real, I think there's a real joy in in having that time out to really reflect and see where you've come from.
And sometimes we have to sort of dig a bit deeper, and sort of give ourselves permission, I think, to see where we've come from, and acknowledge that and take it in and actually, you know, recognise the achievements and what's happened over the last 12 months. This also came up in conversation actually yesterday, my Future-Proof Club where some of the members were talking about kind of where they're at now and what's going on and where they're looking next year. And it got me really thinking because I'm not going to name names, but one of them was kind of talking and she was just telling me all the things that hadn't happened this year, or the things that she was fed up with. other things that she hadn't managed to achieve, or the things that maybe didn't go so well. And that was kind of driving her then into thinking about next year. And so with that in mind, I want us to reframe that, to flip it and to look at it from a different angle. So if you're listening to this, and you've got time, just pause it for a second and go and get yourself some nice paper and a pen. Maybe it's a cup of tea, maybe it's a glass of wine depending on where you are and what you're doing. Maybe light a candle, if you're driving or it's not the moment, maybe save this episode and come back to it or maybe listen to it. Now have a think about it. And then really find some proper time where you've got some space, maybe where the kids are out or you've got some time on your own. Just to kind of go through this and get comfy and really have that time to reflect. So what I want you to think about, I'm going to take you through just a few questions. And I will also pop a worksheet into the show notes for you where you can really take your time to go through this. And I will also put a couple of bonus resources in there where if you want to, you can delve a little bit deeper, such as the wheel of life, and another couple of exercises that I've got, but for today, this is just going to be about asking yourself these questions. And then really just allowing yourself to note down to, to acknowledge, to recognise the thoughts that come first.
So don't overthink this, this is about following your kind of your, I suppose you've gut instinct, really, it's listening to you, and what comes up for you. And again, there's no right or wrong with this, this is just for you, this is a personal reflection. And it's just to help you to really take in the last 12 months and prepare yourself, get yourself in a good place, first of all, to have a break and recharge those batteries, because I think we all need one. And then secondly, to move forward and create a 2023 that really does work for you. And that feels good. And that's going to, you know, get you to where you want to be.
So I think really the first question I'd like you to think about is just to look back over the last 12 months. And remind yourself of where you were maybe this time last year, what that looked like for you, where you were at, and what you had envisaged for 2022. So what was your vision? What were you looking to achieve this year? Just remind yourself of that.
It's interesting to think, because I was reading an article actually, over the weekend, which was talking about the fact that there's so many people who are, you know, pretty much burnt out or overwhelmed or tired or, and they were basically saying there's, there's no kind of real surprise with that. Because actually, we all pretty much started 2022 on the backfoot as in, we’d just kind of come out of COVID. I think we still. we weren't sure if it was going to be locked down again, we were all exhausted after juggling all these things. And there's, you know, there's a stress isn't there that's, that's maybe unspoken, that's there, about managing all these different things. And I think so. I think this time last year, if we think back, we were probably exhausted, and I think starting the year, yeah, we maybe we started it in a different way to maybe what we would normally do.
So just have a think back and think back to where you were, and then just take your paper and just scribble down all the positive things that you've achieved this year. And with this, I want you to be really kind to yourself. And I'm not talking about winning awards, or accolades, or, you know, big, big goals and big achievements, I just want you to think about the little things as well. So that might be just the fact that you've survived, that you're still here, you're still smiling, that you've managed to keep going, that your business is still alive. It might be that you worked with a new client, it might be that you completed a project, it might be that you learned how to speak French, it might be that you managed to go on holiday, it might be that you ran a, I don't know, a 5k or a half a marathon, just scribble down all the different things and sort of go through the months if you want and think about what did you know, what are the things that jumped out at you that you've that you've achieved this year? I really want you to think about this in terms of personal and business.
So what are the things that maybe you've been brave and put your big girl pants on and you've done something that maybe put you out of your comfort zone, maybe you've recorded a podcast episode like me, maybe you've been a speaker on a stage, maybe you've just reached out, maybe you've worked on helping your kids feel more brave or more confident. Maybe you've fixed your garden, whatever it might be, just literally get everything down on paper. Okay. And also there might be things where things haven't gone so well. But actually, you've turned it around. Yeah, so that's also something really positive where something might not have gone to plan. But actually, you managed to either learn from it or reframe it or seize the opportunity and turn it into something different. So the first thing is really just looking at the whole year and getting everything down. And then I want you to think about out of those things that you've done this year, identify what are the things that have given you tummy flips. So what are those things where, what have been those moments? And I'm sure you've got at least one where you've just kind of got Oh, yes Yes, I've done it.
Lucy Rennie 10:01
This is great. Yeah. And again, it doesn't have to be a big thing. But it might just be where you've been working with a client, where you know, there's a great feeling and you've been adding value, and it's worked. And it's been a brilliant collaboration. It might be that you got some PR in a local newspaper, or magazine, whatever that is just kind of circle it, and identify it. And really kind of, you could even do in fact, a whole kind of section, tummy flips and put those things on there. But what we're trying to do is recognise what are those things out of all the year where they've given us the most joy? They've made us smile? They've made us happy, they've made us think, yes, we're doing the right thing. Because when we're running a business, we get so bogged down with all the different things that sometimes we forget why we started in the first place and what it is that makes us happy. So just looking back and thinking about what were those key milestones, those key things that have sort of made us go yes, I've done it. This is exciting. So for me, it was about writing and launching my book. Yeah, so my launch day on the fifth of October was, I think one of them, I don't think I'll ever forget it, in fact, just one of the most exciting days of my life. And it wasn't necessarily because I'd written the book, and you know, I became a best-selling author although that sounds amazing, doesn't it? I would say, it was more about the fact that I'd got over myself and I was, you know, I'd been brave enough to put it out there and kind of do the thing that I'd always wanted to do, but maybe hadn't been confident enough to do. So that for me was exciting. And then the second part of that was when we had my party in the evening, the joy of being in that room with so many wonderful people was just so exciting for me. So they were kind of my tummy flip moments, the book, it was obviously launching the podcast, but and maybe it was my trip to LA. And you know what the biggest thing I think, really was that this summer, I could take my family away to Wales to the seaside, but we could also bring grandparents and my brother and his wife, Laura, and just do that together. And that for me was amazing, because I've managed to do that with Paul for our family. So that was a massive tummy flip moment.
So yeah, go through these and just think about what that means to you.
The next question I want you to think about and again, looking at all the things that you've got down on your paper, is ask yourself;
- What have you learned about yourself?
What have you learned by doing all these things by, you know, overcoming the challenges by getting on with things by doing whatever that is?
What's down on your paper? What are the three things if you were to share, if you were to, to identify them? What would be the three things that you've learned about yourself this year? And this could be absolutely anything. Okay. So, for me, if I was going to share with you what my Three Things would be. The first one is that I have got that grit resilience that I think I've always known, I've got, but it's been massive this year in terms of keeping going pushing forward doing the thing. And sort of knowing that once I've put my mind to it, whatever happens come rain or shine, I will do the thing. So I don't know if that's determination as well. But it's that really, I've really seen that in myself this year. The second thing I've learned this year is about really tapping into the joy, and really tapping into what I really love to do. And that has been really hard. But actually, once you give yourself permission, once I give myself permission to do the things I really enjoy, something happens, the magic happens. And I attract more of that. So really identifying what that is, saying no to things that don’t necessarily fit with that. And something happens and actually because you're really doing the things you love. And we'll talk about this in another episode, you actually you're in your zone of genius, you're in flow. And what happens is you do really good work. And then the ripple effect happens and you start to attract more of those kinds of people, more of those situations. So really, for me, it's about really focusing on the key things that bring me joy, that I love doing and not getting distracted with things that aren't necessarily in that zone for me.
And then the third thing, which is really important, is about really living in the present. Really giving myself space to enjoy and to experience what's going on right now whether that's this weekend with my family where we went and we chose a Christmas tree. We went to see Santa and then just enjoying the smile on my daughter's face as she was putting the angel on top of the Christmas tree. And she just wanted us all to be around it and to decorate it all together. And I think sometimes we can be so caught up in the day-to-day, in business and life that we forget to really step back and enjoy that time together. So those are my three learnings really, for this year that I'm really going to capture and take forward with me as I plan my 2023 and where I want my business to go. Where I want, you know, our lives to go. So have a think about that for yourself, what have you learned about yourself? What are the things that you want to, you know, kind of capture that you've realised are really important for you? And that will? Yeah, that you want to take forward? And there might be some surprises in that there might be some things that you hadn’t thought about. Where you think, I hadn't realised that about myself or hadn't you know, whether that's that you actually enjoy the adrenaline of organising an event? Or it might actually be that no, you do need some time out. Yeah, whatever that might be. The next question I genuinely think is so so important, especially with us business owners, and this is about the people that you surround yourself with. Okay, this is about the people that you love being around. Those people who fill your cup, who help you recharge your batteries, who bring you again, that joy, who look after you, who've got your back, whether they're, you know, sitting next to you, or whether they're halfway around the world, whether you speak to them everyday or not,
- Who are those people that you've loved being around? And that have really been the right, support the right people for you? Yeah, whether that's in helping you be a sounding board, bringing enthusiasm, encouragement, or maybe just listening. Yeah, just have a think back over the year. And note down any of those people who've really kind of shown up who've really been there, and who you really want to kind of acknowledge and recognise. And this is so interesting, because I think there's so much and again, I think we'll do a podcast about this in the new year. But I genuinely believe that it's so important to surround yourself with the right people. And that doesn't mean there have to be 1000s of them. In fact, for me, I can probably count them on two hands, those people who are really, I know, are my people. And that does evolve as well. And that's okay. Yes. So, as we evolve as we grow, as we change, as we enter new situations, as we do take on new projects, there's going to be different people that come in, and I’ve just been chatting about this morning. But I'm a genuinely believer in the fact that things happen for a reason. So just to sit back, smile, have a sip of your wine, whatever it is that you’re drinking, your hot chocolate, and just think about who are those people that you've loved being around this year. And just kind of note down any memories, anything that pops up for you. And just sometimes it's making me smile thinking about all the people who've come into my life this year. And the joy and the value and the love that they've kind of brought to me and helped me to get to where I am now.
Obviously, I couldn't do any of this without Paul, my amazing husband and best friend and my family, the kids, but I think there's people like Kim Raine, there's Gillian Park, there's Jo and Craig from Audio and Co helping with this podcast. There's Abi who’s helped me and Lucy, who helped me write the book. But then there's all the people that I've been working with as well. So Kirsty, Mary Poppins. And there's just so many people that, genuinely this year has been a year with people. And I think I'm definitely taking that forward in the sense of we have to have to nourish that and nurture that and think about it moving forward. So ask yourself; who have you loved being around a while and note those down and just smile to yourself, as you think back to why. And again, any surprises with that, whether that's in people who've maybe not been there as maybe as much as you imagined they would be? Or whether actually it's other people who showed up in different ways that you genuinely weren't expecting. And that's always exciting too. And then finally, the last three kind of questions that I'm going to ask you to think about. And you could maybe write down three headers. So more, stop and start.
Lucy Rennie 19:50
And underneath each one of those I want you to think about and find me at least one or two, ideally three things for each one of those as we move into 2023?
What are the things that you want to do more of? So what are the things that you've seen or you've done in 2022? That you know, have been really valuable to you and have made you feel good? Or have had the results that you wanted? Or have given you the space you need, whatever that might be? What are those things that you're going to do more of?
In this same perspective, I want you to think about what are the things you're going to stop doing? That's an interesting one, what are the things you're going to stop doing, that you've been doing in 2022, maybe that's happened in 2022. But you're actually going to draw a line, you're going to stop doing them as you move forward into 2023. So for me, for example, that's going to be about stopping, saying yes to things that aren't working for me, or things that don't fit with my vision, things that are going to distract me from really focusing on where I want to make the biggest impact. That's one of the things I'm going to stop doing. I'm also going to stop filling my mornings with meetings again. So I got into a really good routine of keeping my mornings free, so that I could have the headspace and the time to do really good work for clients for me, etc. And then have meetings and things in the afternoon. And it worked really well for me and my mindset, and the way I work and my energy. And just because of being busy. And so many things I've slipped into, you know, a kind of a bit of a mad diary again these last few weeks. So that's going to be something I'm going to stop doing is opening up my diary in the mornings. And then the final one is What are you going to start doing? What are those things that actually you've not done, what you've learned this year that you need to do? What are those things you're going to start doing? So for me, it's going to be about, I'm going to start again, doing my journaling and running every morning. I'm also going to start, I'm going to pull it back to the second one. But I'm also going to start saying no to more things, I'm also going to start being really clear on exactly what it is that I'm doing, and sharing that much more with the right kind of people. So you should have kind of three columns: what you're going to do more of, what you're going to stop doing and what you're going to start doing. And really, that's the end of the sort of the first part of this section is just really having some time to reflect and review and work through those different questions. And just see what comes up for you. Just taking that time to reflect and getting into a place where we've kind of, yeah, we've reviewed the year, we've seen what's come up for us, we're seeing what's working, what's not working. And we've acknowledged all the good stuff. That's happened. And I think sometimes, like I was saying about my client yesterday, we can kind of just focus on the things that we haven't managed to do, or the things that we didn't quite get done or the things that maybe didn't go to plan. And I want you to put those away and really focus on the things that you have done, the things that have worked, the results you have got, the achievements that you've done, whether that's just being yourself and getting through the year. Let's finish on a high and really, yeah, be proud of ourselves for getting through what was a roller coaster ride of 2022. So with that in mind, I would like to invite you to share with me any surprises that come up anything that you'd like to, you know, put out there or get some feedback on even, so you know how to get in touch with me, you can send me an email at Lucy@lrcomms.co.uk or you come to my website and message me on there or just find me on socials. Yeah, I'd love to know how you get on with this and what comes up for you so do get in touch. In the meantime, I would like to wish you a really restful holiday and break. Really take some time out to recharge those batteries in whatever way works for you best, give yourself that space and permission to do the things that you need to do. And my final ask of the year would be, if you are enjoying this podcast, then please leave me a review and maybe share it with other business owners, other people who might benefit from some of the stories, some of the insights, some of the the actions and the exercises and let's see if we can create this ripple effect and share the support and the love for small business going into 2023.
So here's to a brilliant rest of the year and I can't wait to see what's in store
Thanks for listening to the Future Proof Your Business podcast. I've been your host, Lucy Rennie, I hope you've enjoyed this episode. If you have, then I'd love you to head over to Apple Podcast, Google Play, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcast and hit the subscribe button. And I'd really appreciate it if you'd leave a review and a rating and help me to reach even more small business owners like you who want to build a business they love.
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