Strong vs. slow vs. shaky starts

Last week I didn’t send my regular communications. Actually on my LinkedIn newsletter it's been even longer. And that’s fine. You probably didn’t notice anyway!

Of course I noticed, but I remind myself that for me, writing these messages are an expression of love not an obligatory chore.

So generally, if I’m not feeling it, I won’t.

Last week I WAS certainly feeling the love, the passion, the desire to share – but.... my circumstances just didn’t align!

Getting five kids settled back into school and sports after a 7-week break is no mean feat.

I reckon I’m pretty organised and on top of it all but I have to admit this one totally stretched me mentally (and in plenty of other ways too!).

New classes, new school, new teachers, books, uniforms, hats, lunchboxes, shoes, but timetables, routines, the list goes on.

Then there's the "extra-curricular".

Which for my sporty mob, are important too.

New tennis coaches and sports club. Tennis, Swimming and netball.

“First Sessions” of everything. Yes, all in the same week.

If there was a camera following me?last?week I reckon it would have given the Kardashian clan a run for their money.

I don’t go in for drama, but I’ve accepted the fact that with five active children, plenty of comedy and suspense seems to come my way.

For example, my middle son started high school at new school

The first day he caught public transport on his own he took the wrong train AND his phone went flat resulting in a search and rescue operation.

Older daughter due to return from abroad before school started was delayed due to once-in-a-lifetime flooding that closed Auckland airport.

Returned middle of the night during a professional conference I was attending.

In the midst of this season was my birthday (which was going swimmingly until my youngest son ran an open palm along a rough wooden fence resulting in quite literally a hand full of splinters under his skin.)

Birthday cut short to spend at medical centre getting them removed.

Oh and all while hobbling around in a moon boot (thanks, jogging injury!)

And of course MUCH to celebrate in there too – most notably of all that last Monday, I finished the first draft for my upcoming book,?Marketing Me!

So to celebrate both birthday and book, I bought myself flowers!

Anyway as of yesterday, ALL my children are back at school, and so I’m finally refreshed and ready for action this year.

Although I’m definitely doing life and work a lot “slower” than in years gone by.

What about you?

How are you going so far this year? Yes really, how are YOU going?

Have you had a slow start? A powerful start? A messy start?

I could ask you "how’s your marketing going?"?- Are you putting your name out there and growing your personal brand and audience,?but as we all know - everything is connected!

If you are good, then it’s relatively easy to get into the zone to turbocharge your business growth efforts.

If you're not feeling it, then there's not a whole lotta use in putting the energy where the energy doesn't want to go.

Then we need other strategies.

This is exactly how I roll with my?Marketing Me?Community.

Adapting to the energy.

Sometimes it’s a buffet where you pick and choose what you need, or it could be a sit-down a-la-carte five-course meal that’s served right for you.

Sometimes it’s a packed lunch on the go – yet other times?(and I’m seeing a bit more of this right now)?it’s a bit like a tired toddler, being seated on a chair with comfy cushions, being spoon-fed.

Getting the nutrients you need, with little effort and expectation.

Different approaches are needed in different seasons.

Just like my approach to work, business and life.?

And how I now shift my primary focus from being "juggling in Jan" during the school holidays to fully "focused in February."

As I relish my predictable "clear space" windows again.

Personally, I’m rearing to go and charged and full of fresh insights and energy that's come from the break, but also from running the Marketing Activation Series I did a few weeks ago which was exceptional to run and deliver.?

But I've also heard a lot of people (including ultra-strong leaders)?say they're ready to start the year over or take a breather - and it's only Feb.

So if that's you, you're in good company.?

Regardless of which camp you’re in, taking small (or large steps) forward, in the direction you want to go is one way to keep getting closer to where you want to go.

And if your direction is wanting to

* be more well known, so you have people?coming up to you at events?commenting?what you're doing

* receive invites to speak at events so you can get in front of new audiences

* have people reaching out to YOU for sales conversations (so you don’t want to do the icky phone call thing!)

...tthen now is the absolutely perfect time to do a month of?Marketing Me?and?get clear, and confident in how you are showing up in the world.

And also set up a simple, sustainable system for how to do that regularly, with ease, in a way that feels good and aligned with you, and?works cumulatively, over the long term!

Supporting not just your short-term sales and marketing goals, but also your long-term business strategy!

Next Tuesday I'm starting a live round of?Marketing Me?– and doing this closely with myself and a small group of other amazing people is going to be a fabulous way to get you focused, energised and most importantly MOVING in your marketing this year.

The way people are looking for brands and leaders to show up now.?

If you’re keen to join me on this one?click here to register, and if you have questions, just message me and ask away!

And so whether you've had a solid and strong, slow or shaky start to your work year know that it's ok, you get to choose again each day, and as you continue to take babysteps in the direction you want to go in, the speed bumps and detours don't matter, you will get there eventually!