36 Lessons from a Year of Growth

As I recently celebrated my 36th birthday, I found myself reflecting deeply on the past year, a period of significant growth and transformation. This year has been a whirlwind of personal and professional development, impacting every facet of my life. I’ve experienced profound changes and faced challenges that have pushed me to evolve in unexpected ways.

To mark this milestone, I sat down and listed 36 lessons I’ve learned along the way. This milestone inspired me to write these down hoping to offer not only a glimpse into my journey but also valuable lessons for your own growth.

Here are 36 lessons that shaped my year:

1. If you’re having a hard time forgiving others; try forgiving yourself. When you forgive yourself, forgiveness for others comes naturally. In business, it's easy to get trapped in past mistakes or hold grudges against others. Learning to forgive yourself for past errors and missteps frees you to build better relationships and move forward with renewed clarity and strength.
2. Relationships mirror back where we have more work to do. The dynamics of your professional relationships can reflect areas where you need growth. Pay attention to recurring issues in your interactions with colleagues and clients, as they often highlight areas for personal and professional development.
3. Letting go of relationships that no longer serve you makes space for new relationships to come in. Just as in personal life, in business, you might need to let go of partnerships or connections that are no longer beneficial. This creates room for fresh opportunities and valuable new relationships.
4. Creating space is the secret to everything. Whether it’s physical workspace or mental clarity, creating space allows for innovation and productivity. Decluttering your environment and streamlining your schedule can significantly enhance your efficiency and effectiveness.
5. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Two things you need to make something happen? The desire and the space available. Achieving your business goals requires both a strong desire to succeed and the necessary space—whether time, resources, or mental bandwidth—to pursue those goals effectively.
6. Doing less creates more space. By focusing on fewer, high-impact tasks, you can actually accomplish more. Prioritize what truly matters and eliminate or delegate less critical activities to increase your overall productivity and success.
7. Expectation creates disappointment; disappointment comes from attachment to an outcome. When you let go of the attachment, the disappointment will release. Managing your expectations and not being overly attached to specific outcomes can help you remain adaptable and less discouraged by setbacks. This approach fosters a more resilient and flexible business mindset.
8. Self-love is potent. Embracing self-love and confidence enhances your ability to take risks and make bold decisions. Believing in yourself and your capabilities is crucial for driving your business forward with passion and conviction.
9. Life gives us things in doses. We can ‘try things on’ before we decide if it’s what we truly want this way. In business, you often have the chance to test new ideas or strategies on a smaller scale before fully committing. This approach allows you to evaluate fit and effectiveness before making significant investments.
10. When something comes in and leaves, it’s a sign of what’s ahead— IF we continue on the path we’ve found. Changes or departures in your business can be indicators of new opportunities or directions. Embrace these shifts as signs that you’re moving in the right direction and be open to the new possibilities they bring.
11. Progress over perfection. Striving for progress rather than perfection allows you to keep moving forward and adapting. Celebrate incremental improvements and learn from mistakes to foster continuous growth and innovation.
12. Ask for help. Don’t hesitate to seek support from mentors, colleagues, or experts. Asking for help not only provides you with valuable insights but also strengthens your network and enhances your ability to tackle challenges effectively.
13. Invest in support. My VA has allowed me to step into consulting while managing my own community growth. Without her support, I would not have had the wins I found this past year while prioritizing my own health and well-being. Investing in support, such as hiring, can be transformative. It allows you to focus on high-value activities and maintain a healthy work-life balance, which is crucial for long-term success.
14. Relationships are everything. Building and nurturing strong professional relationships is fundamental to business success. Cultivating meaningful connections with clients, partners, and peers creates a supportive network that drives growth and collaboration.
15. You CAN choose your family. In a business context, you have the power to curate your network and build relationships with people who align with your values and goals. Choosing to work with those who support and inspire you can enhance your overall success and fulfillment.
16. Be open to things going differently than you expect, open to a different outcome. Flexibility is key to navigating the unpredictable nature of business. Being open to different outcomes and adapting to unexpected changes allows you to seize new opportunities and respond effectively to challenges.
17. Cut back on quick fixes. Relying on quick fixes can lead to temporary solutions rather than addressing underlying issues. Focus on long-term strategies and solutions that provide sustainable results and build a stronger foundation for your business.
18. AND also give yourself grace. It’s important to give yourself grace during challenging times. Allowing yourself moments of relaxation can help maintain balance and prevent burnout, ultimately supporting your overall well-being and productivity.
19. Everything has its cycle, nothing lasts forever. Recognize that business phases and challenges are part of a larger cycle. Embrace each stage with an understanding that it will evolve, and use each experience as an opportunity for growth and learning.
20. Enjoy each cycle, you never know what the next will bring but they’ll all have their challenges. Appreciate the unique aspects of each business cycle. While each phase comes with its own set of challenges, it also offers valuable lessons and opportunities for advancement.
21. Follow your passions, the energy lives there. Aligning your work with your passions energizes and motivates you. Pursuing what you love not only enhances your enthusiasm but also drives innovation and creativity in your business.
22. Invest in hobbies to find your passions. Engaging in hobbies can help uncover new interests and passions. These activities often provide fresh perspectives and creative inspiration that can be applied to your professional endeavors.
23. Invest in therapy to find your hobbies. Investing in therapy can offer valuable insights into your interests and passions. Understanding yourself better through therapy can lead to discovering new hobbies and interests that enrich both your personal and professional life.
24. Invest in your health; physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. Prioritizing your overall health is crucial for sustained success. A balanced approach to physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being supports resilience, creativity, and effective leadership.
25. Investing doesn’t mean spending. There are so many ways to invest without spending a dollar. Investing in personal and professional growth doesn’t always require financial expenditure. Time, effort, and dedication to learning and development can yield significant returns without a direct cost.
26. Peace comes at a price, but it’s worth the cost. Achieving peace and balance often requires effort and intentionality. The investment in creating a harmonious work environment and maintaining personal well-being is invaluable and contributes to long-term success.
27. Take a break! Regular breaks are essential for maintaining high performance and avoiding burnout. Stepping away from work to recharge helps you return with renewed focus and energy, enhancing your productivity and creativity.
28. It’s never too late to start over. Embracing the opportunity to start over or make a change can be empowering. It’s never too late to pivot or reinvent yourself, and this flexibility can lead to new opportunities and growth.
29. Ask yourself if you’re following your own advice regularly. You have all the answers, listen to your own quiet voice. Regularly reflecting on whether you’re practicing the advice you give to others can keep you aligned with your goals. Trusting your own insights and intuition provides valuable guidance for making decisions.
30. If anyone ever communicates in their words or actions that you ‘need’ them to accomplish anything, run! Cultivating independence and avoiding dependency on others is crucial for long-term success. Relying on external validation or support can slow your progress.
31. And if you don’t run, buckle up. If you find yourself in a situation where dependence is unavoidable, be prepared for potential challenges. Maintaining resilience and adaptability is key to navigating such scenarios effectively.
32. Not everyone is supposed to like you. Accepting that not everyone will resonate with your approach is liberating. Focus on serving those who align with your vision and values, and don’t be discouraged by differing opinions.
33. External challenges are connected to inner safety. When your sense of safety is dependent on something or someone else, your external world feels like a struggle. This is a clue, pay attention. Understanding that external challenges often reflect internal concerns can help you address underlying issues. Strengthening your sense of inner safety and security improves your ability to handle obstacles.
34. When everything feels like it’s falling apart, that’s a good sign! That means it’s about to shift towards something new. Shift your perspective! Embrace these moments as opportunities for transformation and growth, leading to new and exciting directions.
35. At the peak of the chaos, let go and ride the wave.?If you can remember this, you’ll be able to embrace each change as a surge of energy flowing you towards the direction you’re meant to go, like a rapid in a river. The struggle and eventual burnout come from trying to swim upstream. Embrace the natural flow of change rather than resisting it. Ride the wave of chaos that comes with entrepreneurship with acceptance and adaptability. This allows you to navigate transitions smoothly and effectively.
36. If you’re lucky, you’ll never feel your age. Embracing a mindset of continuous learning and growth keeps you youthful and engaged. Staying curious and enthusiastic about your business helps you remain vibrant and resilient.

As I reflect on the past year and the lessons it has brought, sharing this more vulnerable side of my journey is both a reflection and an opportunity to connect with you. My hope is that by opening up about the highs and lows I’ve experienced, I can resonate with fellow female entrepreneurs, CEOs, and founders who might find inspiration in these stories.

This year has been filled with growth, challenges, and transformation, and it’s through these experiences that I’ve come to deeply value the importance of community and mutual support among women. I believe I can offer value to others navigating similar paths. We can empower each other to overcome obstacles, celebrate success, and continue to grow both personally and professionally. If any of these lessons resonate with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

For a personal flavor of these lessons, tune into my latest podcast episode where I share more from my heart around these lessons in my personal life. You can find the episode here . I encourage you to listen, reflect, and join the conversation!