Two critical things for personal and business growth this year

When I started my business nearly a year ago, I had a foot in two camps. One was the idea of landing a full-time role if it was the right fit; the other was this idea of entrepreneurship, which felt super uncertain. I wasn't confident I would thrive outside a team and company setting and was still determining whether I was cut out to handle the ebbs and flows of business ownership. I also wanted to live a more fulfilling life, so let's add that to the mix, along with marriage and parenting.

Through new experiences and abundant learning, I'm confident I landed exactly where I should be at this stage. But I didn't get here on my own. There has been a vast community of people who have shaped my mindset and confidence and who have opened up doors for me over the past year. And there are a few choices early on that had a significant impact on my growth.

Of all the things I've done, here are the two things that have helped me most:

Test, learn, and iterate.?

As a new business owner, I experimented with areas of expertise, branding, business development channels, and types of work. Personally and professionally, I focused on what resonated and where and how I could add value to others. I asked for and applied feedback to get better. I paid attention to the work and relationships that were most and least energizing. Then, I looked for themes and patterns to learn from, amplify, or minimize to stay aligned with my values and live a more integrated life.

Through this year, I recognized that my vocation is to build capability in others; it's at the core of my relationships, service, and professional endeavors. Now, before I say "yes" to something new, I make sure that my efforts are focused in the right way. If I'm asked to fix something or solve a problem without helping others develop skills and confidence for future success, I know the opportunity is not right for me.

Find people to grow with.

I know I deliver better results in a collaborative setting, so I got intentional about finding like-minded people who also love to partner and co-create. When people asked who I'd like to meet, I shared that I was looking for collaborative and complementary partners. I received introductions that added excellent and generous people to my community. Many of these people are those I now grow with; they speak the truth, listen with curiosity, help shape ideas, and celebrate with me. And I do the same for them.

I also started looking for people who could help me think differently about what to focus on and how to get things done. I hired a coach to help me navigate the mindset and skills needed to support my growing business. I found someone to teach me how to use my business management tools effectively. I hired trusted partners to help translate my ideas into a framework and content for a program I want to deliver, helping me to keep momentum on other priorities. I leaned on my husband more in the areas where he has different strengths and skills than I have. These people have been critical to my growth and have allowed me to spend time in the highest-value areas.

This is not a formula for success.

My two things will not resonate with everyone, but they have been the secret sauce for my personal and business growth this year. I am excited for the coming year and am committed to celebrating my gains, learning from experiences, staying faithful to my vocation, and surrounding myself with people I can grow with. And I’m sure I’ll end up right where I’m supposed to be.

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To explore more of my writing, visit https://drsummermiller.substack.com