For the last couple of months, I’ve made the conscious choice to pause the publishing of new blog content in order to focus on my work, my book and myself. I’d like to share with you what I’ve been reflecting on, and how that’s enabled me to refocus where I invest my energy, expertise and heart. My hope is that this offers you something to think about as we wind down the year—and how you might shift your perspective about what you co-create in 2022.

Celebrating Small Wins and Adding Value

Before we dive in, I think it’s important to highlight two takeaways that surfaced as I was writing this piece.

First is the importance of celebrating the small wins along the way. So often as agency leaders (or as humans, for that matter), we just don’t allow ourselves a moment to express joy for any progress we’ve made toward our big vision. We focus on what’s left to accomplish or how our wins aren’t really that big of deal, and we shift the conversation to something more comfortable. Forgetting to highlight (or subconsciously squashing) those could-be joyous moments is actually a trauma response. Celebrating the small wins along the way means a lot to me now; Doing so signals growth because I’ve not given myself permission to do so at any other point in my life, either personally or professionally.

Second is adding value to the people in my network is a core value of mine. If any of what I create, can offer, or how I refine the integration between my personal and work life resonates, that defines success to me. The takeaway here is that we do not need to abide by societal definitions or metrics of success. Honestly, does it really matter whether or not your client roster is recognizable or how many full-time employees you have? What more might be possible if we defined success based on our core values and priorities?

With the work I do in the world as a leadership coach, it felt important to me to turn the dial up on my own curiosity. What else could I learn in order to serve my clients better? How could I become a more active listener and ask fewer, yet more insightful questions to help clients move toward their areas of desired change?

I’ve been a little low-key because I’ve recently gone back to school to get my Trauma Informed Coaching Certification. I’ll complete the second phase of coursework and be certified by the International Coach Federation (ICF) by the end of February 2022.

Not only does this new training help to fortify my work as a Conscious Leadership Coach to agency owners, it’s also helpful as I think about my first book. You didn’t know I’ve been writing a book for the last couple of years? Read on!

Why Trauma-Informed?

In my forthcoming book, which is (super vulnerable!) narrative nonfiction, I connect the dots between the healing of our past traumas and the becoming of a conscious leader. None of us escaped childhood unscathed, so we all bring our imprinted experiences into our leadership roles. My intention is to help leaders reflect upon their own experiences, develop self-awareness, and ultimately lead more sustainable businesses by adopting a clear understanding of the benefits of focusing on the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit. The book will be released in 2023, so if you’re interested in advanced notice, add your email here. When it’s released, I’m hoping that you can celebrate with me because every single one of you reading this has played a part in the creation of this book, whether you’ve realized that or not.

Shifts in My Work

The trauma-informed coaching course has also provided tremendous clarity for how I’m going to offer my services going forward. As opposed to long-term, standalone consulting engagements, I’ll offer a singular signature service beginning in 2022—a hybrid of Trauma Informed Conscious Leadership Coaching and Agency Growth Consulting.

All engagements begin with the first phase of team intake sessions, and a summary of those findings and recommendations for the agency leader or leadership team. Phase two is ongoing coaching and consulting sessions, one of each per month. The reason for separating these into two distinct sessions is that when I’m in a coaching container with my clients, I do not advise but instead ask insightful questions. I inquire and explore deeper to help them understand, imagine and achieve their desired changes. When my consulting hat is on, I explicitly guide and advise on any and all business issues within the agency.

Designing an Intentional Schedule

In 2022, my workweek is designed around the life that I want to live, and I also want to hold myself accountable to that. My incredible Executive Assistant, Yvan Greenberg will certainly help with that as the keeper of my calendar. He is the best investment I’ve made in my business and in myself, for that matter. We’ve outlined that my work with coaching clients is slated to Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10:00am and 5:00pm, with no more than four sessions per day, and 15-30 minutes in between each meeting. All other activities are scheduled around those recurring sessions. I work with a maximum of 10 clients at a time and currently have a small waitlist. To schedule an initial conversation click here.

Getting the House in Order

This past year, I’ve been consistently grateful for my health. Full stop. This pandemic, while not over by any means, has left many people with a void, feeling isolated and full of anxiety. The list could go on for an entire post. I’ve never been more appreciative of the deep, meaningful relationships in my life. I’ve been more intentional about the people I surround myself with and interact with on a weekly basis. That includes friends, family, clients, colleagues, partners, you name it. It makes me want to double-down on my closest friendships and volunteerism within my community as a small way to give back for the privilege I experience each day.

To that end, I’ve chosen to invest in myself, in my community and in the causes that create the type of impact I care about. I bought a cottage in the middle of a wooded area in the lower Hudson Valley—a region I’ve had ties to for a lifetime. And as a first time solo homeowner, this year has highlighted the feeling of self reliance that financial strategy can bring. With money comes not happiness, but choice. And I feel very good about the choices I’m making in all areas of my life.

Invitation to Inquiry

So, as you begin to reflect on all that 2020 and 2021 brought about internally and externally in your life, in your work and in your play, I wonder how you’ll take the lessons from this recent period of time. Will you, or have you, started to create the life that you want to live? Are you doing purposeful work that brings you meaning? Have you been able to create healthy boundaries around your time, energy and mental health?

If you have some kind of end of year ritual, where you reflect and refocus for the upcoming year, I hope that some portion of this post is helpful. Maybe it sparked an idea for you. Maybe it influenced a slight modification in mindset. Know that I value you in my life, and that I’ll continue to love and be grateful for the genuine connection and love we’ve cultivated.

If you find yourself reading this and wanting to connect for any reason, here’s a link to my calendar for 2022. Find a time that works for you, and let’s deepen this thing.