A few weeks ago, I sent out my free annual reflection guide as a gift for Happy Black Woman email subscribers: The 2014-2015 Annual Review/Preview Guide. I completed mine privately, but I wanted to share a few of my 2014 reflections and 2015 intentions with you as we kick off the new year. If you haven’t done your own annual review/preview yet, I highly encourage you to set aside some time to do so. Reflection is one of the most powerful tools for personal development. Best of all, it’s free!
What I Want to Remember About 2014
What goal am I most proud of achieving this year?
Passing the six-figure mark in my business! I never, EVER thought I’d be able to earn this much money on my own without a job. My business continues to be a source of deep pride for me because I didn’t even set out to be an entrepreneur. I started this new career as a full-time business owner back in 2010. And in just 5 years, I’ve been able to not only replace my income, but more than triple my salary at my last job. It was a great feeling to celebrate this accomplishment with one of my business mentors, Lisa Sasevich in San Diego back in July!
What was the most valuable lesson I learned this year?
That I can achieve anything I want, as long as I have a plan and I commit to the plan! I accomplished several personal goals just to prove to myself that I could do them. In September, I pushed myself to train and run my first 5K race in Kaneohe, Hawaii, which I ran with my mom and my friend Kristen!
And in August, I hiked Koko Head in Hawaii and learned five valuable lessons about success in the process.
Another thing I learned about success is that having a group of peers is priceless. I invested in myself more then ever this year with several training courses, plus a high-level business mastermind program. The support system has been so useful for my growth because the group helps me think big – often bigger than I already think, which I didn’t know was even possible! Having Kristen Robinson as my accountability partner also contributed to my success in helping me stick to my big goals in my business and not backing down when the going got tough.
What was the best book, blog, song, movie and/or restaurant I discovered this year?
- Song – “But Beautiful” by Gregory Porter
- Restaurant – Mama’s Fish House in Maui, Hawaii
What was the best place – town, city, country – I visited this year?
- Country – Mexico (see Travel Diary: 6 Reasons to Visit San Miguel de Allende, Mexico)
- City – San Diego, California (see Travel Diary: How to Spend 2 Weeks in San Diego)
- Island – Maui, Hawaii (see Travel Diary: Weekend in Maui)
What was my favorite memory from 2014?
Spending a whole week of quality time with my sister when she came to visit me in Hawaii in May! We had a great time at my favorite luau on Oahu, Chief’s Luau.
What I Want My Life to Look Like in 2015
What 3 goals do I most want to accomplish in 2015?
- Pay off all my student loans
- Triple(!) my revenue in my business
- Publish my 2nd book
What part of my life do I want to pay more attention to in 2015?
My creative writing. I do so much writing for my business that I don’t carve out much time for other types of writing, like poetry, memoir, etc. that I really enjoy. I would like to attend at least one writing, poetry, book or film festival in 2015 to keep my creative juices flowing!
Which new activities, habits or behaviors do I want to start doing in 2015?
- Schedule 2-3 months off throughout the year for “unplugged” leisure time
- Read at least one new book every month
- Take myself out on a date at least once a month to see a new movie, attend a lecture, do a cooking class, go to an art gallery, etc.
- Give myself the gift of a “self-care day” at the spa at least once a month to get a manicure, pedicure and a professional massage
What do I want to learn in 2015?
How to speak decent Spanish!
What theme word or phrase best describes what I want to experience in 2015?
2015 will be the Year of…Fun, Love and Adventure!
In 2015, I’m committing to letting go of my workaholic habits. At this point, I have reached a level in my business where I don’t have to grind so hard anymore and I want to embrace my new reality by working less and enjoying my success more!
I want to carve out more leisure time to play and relax. I want to practice greater self-love as well as attract more romantic love into my world (I would like to meet a travel boo!). I want to go on new travel adventures and be courageous enough to try all those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in every place I visit.
In short, I want to fully LIVE the amazing life of happiness, success and freedom that I’ve worked so hard to create for myself over the past few years. So…here’s to a wonderful year of fun, love and adventure!
Leave a comment: What theme word or phrase are you be taking with you into 2015?
Rosetta Thurman is a nationally-recognized author, speaker, mentor and coach dedicated to helping women create their ideal lives.
Congrats Rosetta on having an awesome 2014 and surpassing the 6 figure mark. You are my inspiration and it’s such a beautiful thing to see all the accomplishments you’re making. I love that you’ve added pictures for your yearly review. My review will be featured on my blog tomorrow. I wish you a successful 2015 and I look forward to meeting you in person one day. :)
http://www.befreeproject.com
Oh I forgot to mention My theme for 2015 is “ready to receive” and my word for the year is elevation.
My Theme for #2015 is that if GOD moves me into whatever he has called me to do; I will go into it with All Power & Authority! – DeVon Franklin Quote.
Great post Rosetta-
I love the fact that you share the ups and the downs of your journey with the community you created. You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you and I will you a great 2015!
I completed my review/preview of the last day of 2014, it was a great way to say goodbye to the year and hello to 2015. It was a big year for me as my only child graduated from high school and transitioned to college and I became an empty-nester.
My theme is: 2015 full of JOY.
My theme song for 2015 is “Grateful” by Rita Ora
A few activities for the year include: completing one sewing project a month, trying a new recipe each month.
Ooh I love the idea to try a new recipe every month! All the best to you in 2015 :)
I did the review preview and my mantra for 2015 is Get Fit – physically, financially and spiritually!
I love this review that you did, Rosetta!!
I’m hoping that you have another run under your belt! Maybe a half marathon??
My mantra for 2015 is: Make Life Happen!! Each year I create a mantra to guide my year. I also attach a color to it as a visual reminder. So, I’ll buy a laptop cover, phone cover, journal, and pen in that color to remind me of how I want to show up in the world. So, with my mantra this year, I’m going to attach the color blue!!!
Thanks for the inspiration. I spent some time out at the beach with a good friend of mine completing the review/preview workbook.
Undeniable Grit. I had a phenomenal 2014, with the exception of being able to fully support my dreams and a major dip in income in the last half of the year. Yet, I’m well regarded in my niche, released a book and am getting invited to serve as an expert on boards and in the media. It’s showing me that I need to hone in my skills, keep grinding and not get too upset that the payoff hasn’t come quite yet. 2015 will open with book parties and me working on a sustainable consulting and contract work pipeline.
Congrats on a wonderful 2014!
I love it!. I have completed my Review/ Preview as well. It really gave me a moment to think and just really put all the things that I want down on paper. Now that I have them down, I need to create a plan to execute my goals. I love that your Review/ Preview is so tangible. What I mean is that your goals are so humble and real, that they too inspire me to do better. I wish you all the best in 2015 (and me too!)Thanks Rosetta!