I don’t know how I feel about new years’ resolutions. There’s something exciting and daunting about a whole new year, and the ability to use it to mix things up, set a new challenge or change direction completely. It’s a good time to take stock, something about doing it in the cold/dark/rainy-ness of winter works well in my head, so that when spring comes you’re ready with new plans. But I also know there’s a trap I regularly fall into of declaring I’m going to conquer everything, and risking myself up for a fall/fail. So, I’m attempting realistic and optimistic with my belated business new year commitments:
1. Invest in my professional development
One of my commitments to myself when I started was weekly continuing professional development, in the broadest sense possible. So I’ve been watching TED Talks, reading articles, logging onto online seminars, challenging my brain with books and doing some “lunch and learn” sessions. They’ve (mostly) been great and also mostly been free, which was also a pretty important criteria so far. I think the most I’ve paid is £25 for a session (thank you non-profit sector). But I’ve been stewing on some “proper” CPD options for a while now, and by proper I mean many weeks worth of sessions and additional study time, as well as fairly reasonable money. It’s a whole different ballgame signing up for something when it comes straight out of your own account! But I feel like I’ve earnt this investment in myself, and I’m feeling really excited about the one I’ve picked.
2. Invest in my business
I remember hearing someone say that they wished when they had started out that they’d spent more time working on their business, than for their business, and it really stuck with me. Especially lately when I’ve been throwing all the hours I’ve had (and a few more) just checking the work done, it’s made me realise I hadn’t had any time to any kind of longer-term thinking – what kind of work do I want to be doing, how do I want to work with, what are my goals? I’ve heard good things from a few people about working with a coach and I think it’s making it to my new year commitments list. I’d like to try working with someone completely objective and independent to explore what the future could hold.
3. Trial co-working
Other than the odd meeting or running events, I’ve been completely home-based so far. Not a coffee shop in sight. I think the lack of coffee shops is understandable given the noise/interruptions/need to buy who-knows-how-much-coffee/worry about overstaying my welcome, but there are specific co-working spaces. Local to me is at least one well known one that offers a range of meeting rooms, desk options, free coffee and office dogs. I like the idea of mixing up my location every now and then for a change of scene and a bit of a motivation boost, as well as potentially expanding my local network of contacts. I’m not sure I can justify/want to spend out on a full membership option just yet but it’s on the list to give it a try.
4. Facilitate an Action Learning Set
I’ve loved getting involved with other freelances for “non-team team meetings”, bids, general chats and exchanges of ideas/expertise. I’ve clocked that there’s at least one active learning set being run and I’m really interested in what it can offer – a bit more structure than the one-off chat exchanges, deeper reflection and a very practical way to resolve (and support) particular issues. When I’m a bit freer, my plan is to see if anyone’s interested in joining me to create a new one that meets regularly for some peer support.
5. Admin
It had to make the list I guess. When I started I was so disciplined. I had lists of work I’d gone for, dates, sources, outcomes and feedback, my cashflow was meticulous, and my filing system for resources, articles and inspiration was beautifully structured. Now it’s……slightly different. Not quite chaotic but not exactly in order. I need some quality time to tidy out inboxes, update spreadsheets, reorganise filing, shred documents and empty out a drawer (possibly several).
6. Holiday
I have not taken anywhere near enough holiday so far. I’ve been freelancing now for 9 months and in that time I’ve had a week abroad (wall-to-wall family sickness), a long weekend abroad with just my husband (phenomenal) and three weeks at Christmas that turned into less than two weeks because of more wall-to-wall family illness. It’s definitely not been enough in 9 months of this rollercoaster. So here’s to at least 2 weeks for Easter and at least 2 weeks in summer, minimum.
Conclusion
Will they change the world? No. But will they change my world? Hopefully. Here’s to regaining some balance, re-imposing some structure and developing some plans.
Photo by lucas wesney on Unsplash