Happy Birthday #3

• Tweet

• Tweet

It’s my blog’s birthday! This month makes three years that I’ve been blogging steadily, and happily it’s still one of my favorite things to do. While I’ve been doing tech and marketing consulting since 1995, this is also my third birthday as a business coach. Woo hoo! Pass the cupcakes!

Mostly, year three was exciting. I felt like I was hitting my stride. I felt confident, I enjoyed the experience I had gained, and I had the wonderful fun of meeting new people in the most random of ways through social media and referrals. It’s a strange feeling when someone writes or calls with whom I’ve never had a personal contact, but I welcome those contacts as a sign of  a healthy, growing business. My introverted nature got stretched.

Sometimes I felt like Lucy and Ethel in the chocolate factory. The pace would pick up and before I knew it, things were a bit ragged around the edges. I learned a lot about focus and identifying what matters. I learned that, more than ever, my inner lizard thinking feeds on distractions. I got help from a strategic coach or two who understand how to help me stay focused so that things get good and truly done. I was happy that this culminated in creating The Planning Kitchen, a program that guides entrepreneurs through a learning and planning process that helps them find their own right focus.

My biggest lesson of the year: putting down is as important as picking up. It’s always been my inclination to keep adding things to my plate, personally and professionally. I kept trying to add things, but this year I’ve started experimenting with putting some things down and the results are teaching me a lot. Big plans are brewing for an even clearer expression of what I want my business to be. My priority this year is on making it sustainable and scalable – while answering a deep desire to do something worthy of legacy.

Most of all, I was thrilled to be of service to people who are doing compelling work and answering their own calling to be of service. I loved hearing client stories, and I did a lot of happy booty shaking when they came back with good news of new clients of their own. I midwifed strong brands, and celebrated when clients launched successful programs with confidence.

I’d say those are all good reasons for a party. Want a cupcake?

Related posts:

1. Happy New Year, Beyoncé
2. Beating the Business Bloat
3. Warning, I Am Two

By Laurie Foley

Laurie Foley helps entrepreneurs discover their natural brand. She is also the creator of Blog More, Stress Less, the six-step system for coaches who want to learn the craft of blogging for business growth. Registration is open now for the March 2012. Early registration discount is available through Tuesday, February 28, but space is very limited. Register now: http://blogmorestressless.com