I give a lot to other people, all the time. One of my greatest weaknesses is my inability to say "no". I am always saying "yes" and giving of myself when I really don't have the bandwidth to do so. Not only do I let the person I said "yes" to down when I cannot follow through, I let myself down.

This year was about me. Me loving myself and serving myself. Why? Because the world needs the best version of me. I spent the year getting things done that I wanted to get done, for me. I did not neglect those I love. I did not close myself off to the world. Rather, I opened myself up to it. I stopped telling myself what I needed to be doing and instead I opened myself up to listen. I listened to what the world was telling me. I spent time listening to friends from years' past. Listening to professionals in my industry on what is working for them and what isn't. Listening to people rather different from me. Listening to other writers. Listening to my sisters. Listening to my body, what it wants and what it doesn't want. Listening to our clients, where they were feeling pain and pressure in their finances, and what was making them worried or excited about the future. Listening to my son, what he needed from me, what was making him happy or sad. Listening to my husband, where I was falling short. Listening to God.

I think the greatest thing I did this year was to listen. We spend so much time talking, when we ought to shut up and listen. We know a lot less than what the world has to share.

2017 was epic. I accomplished everything I set out to do and so much more.

I made enormous progress on my book ... Roughly 50,000 words this year
Spent time around three incredible best selling authors, soaking up their wisdom.
Got out of my head and let go of personal baggage that was holding me back
This was a big one ... I assessed and modified my content intake. I stopped following social media accounts and other content that was either a waste of time or creating negative energy. I started following a lot of impressive creators and entrepreneurs putting their hearts on the line and achieving greatness. I also subscribed to a curated content platform that kills it. Every damn day it feeds me with goodness.
Took on new health coaching and personal training clients, and led an early morning group workout for women from April through August.
Developed some impressive marketing material for my family's financial planning business, helped our team move from one firm to another in May (a big deal... lots of work), developed a plan to engage with the community and educate young adults about money, and brought on new planning clients
Wrote a business plan for my Podcast project
Wrote and started illustrating a children's book?!?!?!
Reconnected with four SPECTACULAR women from my past, working to accomplish incredible goals in their own lives
First public speaking engagement in a few years to a group of professional women in Winston Salem.
Made new friends
Deepened relationships with my family, specifically my sisters and my in-laws. Family is everything. They make my life possible.
Clocked a Personal Record for a minute mile in a running road race this summer and raced a 50 mile triathlon this fall
We spent a lot of money renovating our house this year, but it looks beautiful. It is a more efficient use of space and it brings us a lot of joy.
Made a commitment to say "no" to things that aren't in alignment with my goals and "yes" to what I am truly passionate about
I pushed myself to be fearless. Unafraid of judgement. Unafraid of hearing the word "no". Unafraid of looking like an idiot. I pushed myself to do what my heart felt called to do.
Traveled. Mostly for work... some pleasure. I need to see more of this country.
I was really tested as a mother this year. Finding balance between raising my son and my ambitious business goals continues to prove to be difficult. I found myself needing to say "yes" to holding, teaching and playing with my son more than my brain and my business plan may have wanted me to.
Got pregnant with baby #2
It was the best year yet with my husband. A lot of big conversations took place this year. Plenty of tears. But a lot of growth and it only keeps getting better. 10 years in and I am still, very much, doe eyed and in love with this man.
I spent a lot of time in prayer and conversation with God this year. I found my soul again.

I have an enormous year planned for 2018.

I am pregnant. So there's that. Our baby will arrive this summer (sometime around July 1st). I have a lot to get done before then. I am actively speaking with publishers about getting my two books published by year end, which is a colossal undertaking, but I am up for the challenge. I would like to have both in my editors' hands before the baby arrives. I have a goal to start a podcast in 2018. I was hoping for January, but realistically, because this is such a new platform for me, it will likely get pushed back a little bit. We have a lot going on at our financial planning office. We are on-boarding a new advisor and a number of her new clients. So, there is a lot of excitement there. Our team is hosting a new week long entrepreneurship program for finance and business students that will launch this summer. I am working with a team to build out a club for high school students in the South Charlotte area around financial literacy and professional development. Fitness is a major part of my life. I was spinning, doing burpees and box jumps up until my due date with Eli. God willing, I plan to do the same through this pregnancy. It's going to be a big year.

I encourage each of you to sit down for a moment and write down the highlights of 2017. What does your list look like? Does it scream accomplishment? Was there personal or professional growth? Or is there room for improvement? Where was your head this year? Was it fogged by the distractions that pull us away from what is important? Or were you open to what life was trying to tell you or was there a lot getting in your way? Were you shutting people out or pulling them closer? The value of an activity like this is to take ownership of how we are using our time and where we are sending our energy. Are we being intentional with our time or are we just floating from day to day? Are we actively working towards our goals? Do we have goals? Do we need goals? Goals are just a wish with a plan. If I am going to get things done, I cannot wish for it to take place, I need to plan for it. After you take ownership of your 2017, stare next year dead in the face and decide, "What is in store for 2018?" What is on deck for you and how are you going to ensure that what you want comes to fruition? Who do you need on your team to make sure that you accomplish your goals? We are already built with the gifts and tools we need to make life happen, follow through is half the battle. Greatness is not achieved alone. Accountability is key. I could not have done half of what was accomplished in 2017 without the support of my team.

Listen then act. The time is now.

Happy New Year, hustlers.

-IV

This year, I listened.