2022: my year in review (learn from my mistakes!)

We've almost reached the end of 2022 and, before I write anything else, I want to say THANK YOU for subscribing to this newsletter, and for your support this year; I appreciate you. I started this newsletter on a whim, after a friend suggested I should write a LinkedIn one as well as the monthly newsletter I send to my email list (I often include free gifts if you'd like to subscribe to this too; you can do so here) - I never expected to reach almost 800 subscribers in just two months!

Talking of my email list, the December edition contains a free resource to help you review your year and prioritise your time, and happiness, next year.

To be real with you, I'm typing this en route to the airport, as I have created an annual tradition of watching the dawn rise on each new year from somewhere beautiful (and hot!); I focused on my family over Christmas and just haven't had time to write this before now - which actually brings me to the content of today's newsletter.

2022 lessons

If you're reading this without knowing much about me, 2022 was a big year for me. My contract as the Training Specialist, and Global Training Lead, on Google's #IamRemarkable initiative ended a year ago (time really does fly) and I made the decision to *finally* stop procrastinating and launch my own business (I've been freelance for a decade, doing ad hoc coaching/ training/ consultancy but always held back on launching something of my own).

As an introvert who battles anxiety, putting myself out there is a real flex for me. I'm also a perfectionist and tend to procrastinate and put things off but my biggest lesson of 2022 was that it is ESSENTIAL to take action.

Lesson #1: take imperfect action daily

It took me from January until March just to build my own website. Okay, I'm no web designer (but I do love learning, which is partly why I wanted to build it myself), so I could have been quicker, technically. But the main thing that held me back was...me!

I knew from my work on #IamRemarkable that I wanted to advocate for other introverts, as I'd seen a global trend of introverts not feeling enough, and struggling with Imposter Syndrome and limiting beliefs, but - even though I facilitate Value Proposition Canvas workshops - it took me a looooong time to identify who I could serve, and how.

Even months after my website was finished I still wasn't actually selling anything - because I kept procrastinating on what to offer. Over the last two months, inspired by a conversation with Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph, I committed to taking imperfect action daily and I've seen more progress in those two months that the rest of the year combined!

Just do it: whatever happens you'll learn from it and THAT is how you build.

Lesson #2: make your presence known

Ironically, given my prior work, I hadn't been sharing my accomplishments or being proactive in reaching out to my network; selling feels unnatural to me and I have been trying to stay authentically true to myself.

But if you don't tell people who you are and what you can offer, you can't help them.

I've done very little reaching out and it's limited my ability to help; those I have worked with have told me they've received tremendous value, so it's a mindset shift.

Lesson #3: there's such a thing as too much alone time

Even as an introvert who loves my own company, I've discovered that this can be an incredibly lonely journey; I live, and work, alone and have actually been overwhelmed by loneliness at times this year, especially when I have been physically, or mentally, unwell.

Next year, I am going to be more proactive in ensuring I strengthen relationships and have social time.

Lesson #4: always follow your gut

Part of my journey this year has been to really get to know my true, authentic, self and always make decisions that align with that. I haven't always gotten this right but it's been a huge learning curve and I can now use that learning to help others get in tune with their authentic selves next year: this makes it all worth it!

What have been your biggest lessons of 2022? Let me know in the comments.

Please note, that there will not be a newsletter next week, as I'll be taking a break, so Happy New Year! See you on the other side (and if you want to have the best possible start to 2023, read on).

Please like, comment and/or share?if you found this content helpful ??

______________________

Start 2023 strong!

My upcoming?online masterclass,?An Introvert's Guide to Imposter Syndrome, will give you practical tools to navigate your Imposter Syndrome, transform your limiting beliefs and become more authentically confident in your natural strengths.

Reserve Tuesday 24th January in your calendars!

Places are limited. Book your tickets?here.

I also have?ONE remaining coaching slot for 2023. If booked before the end of the year, you can secure 2022 pricing for any sessions taken during 2023. I do very little coaching, as my coachees receive a lot of time and investment from me as part of their packages. Spaces don't become available often.

DM me if you would like to register your interest.

______________________

About Me

I help introverts develop authentic confidence, through coaching, training and digital products, so that they can thrive without having to change who they are, and companies through training, coaching and consultancy, to address the workplace bias towards extroversion.

Through developing my own authentic confidence I have been able to build a life on my terms, working part-time for full-time income, travel solo around the world, work with companies like Google and speak, with confidence, to entire auditoriums. I've already helped thousands of individuals, across 169 countries globally, to develop confidence and communication skills, as well as manage Imposter Syndrome and limiting beliefs. Helping others feel enough is my passion.

If you are an introvert looking to feel more confident, set boundaries to help you balance your time and be able to understand, and communicate, your value to others; a leader looking to better support your introverted talent; or a company committed to achieving intersectional equity and inclusion, DM me or?visit my website, to find out more about how I can help you.

Alternatively, you can subscribe to my email list for additional updates and inspiration; I periodically send out free tools and resources to my email subscribers to help with their transformation. Sign up?here.