Looking back and reviewing your 2012 is a cathartic experience. It’s also one of the best ways I know to get a handle on what went well for you, and what you can do better in 2013 because self improvement rocks.
I had set myself some solid goals for 2012, and my motto for the year was Fierce Focus.
Did I achieve that? Not to the extent that I wanted to, but it was a hell of an improvement on the previous year.
My goals I set for myself and my business served a definite purpose, which was to give me benchmarks to judge by performance by during the year.
These goals were also flexible as my life isn’t exactly routine, and as my path unfolded before me, I made sure they were always aligned with my ultimate focus and vision which is to create more freedom in business and adventure in life, for me and for you.
I wanted to share with you just what’s happened in 2012, my key lessons, the things that went really well and the areas I can definitely improve upon because I know that having me throw open the doors on my business and life can help us both.
The Official 2012 Suitcase Entrepreneur Annual Review
My greatest learning this year was that growth is essential for me. It’s something I will always strive for. I love to learn, to apply and to push myself as an entrepreneur.
And when you grow into yourself, into your confidence, into your `big business shoes’, it’s natural that each year, you’ll find the desire and opportunity to stretch yourself even more.
That’s certainly been the case for me and a lot of my clients. Once you realize that what you’re afraid of – be it more success, more money, more recognition, more freedom, is not really that scary after all, you can really go after it.
In fact, you quickly understand that what you want in life, and in your business, is entirely within your control, and that only you are standing in your own way, and in the way of getting more of what you want in life.
Memorable Moments and Best Lessons Learned in 2012
In this 2012 review I will be talking more from a business point of view, but obviously this applies to lifestyle too. I mean I’ve seen some big growth in my business this year, which has definitely come from some serious growth in my abilities and beliefs in myself, and a focus on what I want more of in life.
The Ride Of My Life
Cycling 6,500km across the continent of Africa from March to May 2012 was definitely a highlight of the year and one of the most amazing and challenging experiences of my life. Not only was it a physical and mental test, it was a huge ask of my business to survive and run without me while I was mainly offline for 2 months.
The fact that I set myself the task of raising $10,000 for Women Win, on top of streamlining my business to run on autopilot, seems in hindsight, a pretty bizarre move. When I raised $12,500 with your support it made me burst with pride and I now felt that I was riding with a real purpose.
Ensuring our donations went to these young girls and women and changed their lives was a much bigger reason to do this then me just cycling for my own purpose.
Did it push and stretch me? More than ever. Did I become stronger as a result?
In so many more ways than I thought possible. There’s something beautifully simple about cycling for 140km plus per day and focusing on just making it through the day. It puts a lot in perspective of what’s really important and what we’re capable of.
Click to tweet this: Go outside your comfort zone and push your limits. It’s the best way to face your fears and grow beyond belief.
Aside from the fact that I made it to Cape Town, what surprised me most was the willingness of friends, clients and businesses to step up and sponsor or donate. Their level of support and desire to spread the word really reignited my faith in humanity. Most of them want to do good and make a difference in this world.
The second surprise should not have been a surprise at all, and this was, nobody misses you when you’re not online. At least not for several weeks. Emails, Facebook, Twitter and the likes are simply not critical nor that important in the scheme of things, and disconnecting from them more regularly is essential to getting your perspective back.
$100 Change Initiative
Even though I was still in the middle of running my WE Mastermind program with Natalie MacNeil, as well as being on an intense travel period, and coming off the back of the bike ride, I decided that wasn’t enough!
No, I had to throw in some grandiose initiative that I conceived about 1 minute after being inspired by watching Chris Guillebeau give away $100 to every one of the 1,000 participants at the World Domination Summit.
I knew exactly what I had to do with my $100, and I came up with this idea by acting totally on gut instinct and an overwhelming desire to put together something that made a real impact in peoples’ lives and allowed them to make their own on lives of others.
The fact that I was able to gather 120 change makers in a little over 3 weeks through my vision for this project, and their generosity to be involved, still blows my mind.
It proved to me that when you apply 100% focus and belief to your project or idea, there’s no way it won’t happen.
More importantly when you really need to, you can reach out and ask important people for help, and they will actually be more than happy to deliver.
I’m not good at asking for help, in fact I’m lousy at it, and this was my attempt to become much better at it. You do not need to do everything alone.
As I’ve learned, it’s easier, more fun and imminently more successful when you bring others on board, especially those who want to help and believe in your mission.
I was also shit scared this would fall on it’s face and my credibility (among many things) would go out the window. But I pushed through that many times.
And while it didn’t meet my expectations in terms of people who joined the program, it exceeded them all thanks to the sheer heart of all those involved. I’ve never seen such words of encouragement, inspiration and wisdom in one Facebook group.
It’s like they took my love and passion for this non-profit initiative and multiplied it the world over. What’s more in their eyes, I had done something truly special that was changing their lives for the better, and still is.
This taught me a valuable lesson that you can tweet:
Tweetable: You cannot judge the success of your endeavor based on metrics, but on the level of impact you create for others.
The results they’ve had continue to blow me away – new websites launched, first ever eBooks written, new businesses begun through to just understanding what it is that’s important to them in this world and having the courage to go after it.
I’m looking forward to awarding several scholarships on the 27th December with the proceeds from all sales, and I’m excited that people can still buy the program or the beautiful new digital eBook collection of the entire 100 days series from $100 Change.
Global Adventures to New Countries
While I don’t have a specific travel agenda ever, I do aim to visit 4-5 new countries per year. This year, through no careful planning on my part I’ve been to 9 new countries. This was greatly helped by cycling through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
Followed by our WE Mastermind Retreat where we cruised in the Caribbean and Nassau and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.
I think this year might have involved a tad too much travel – is there such a thing??
I just worked out I’ve visited four continents, been to 20 countries and this included two trips to the US and Germany and three to the Netherlands.
That translates into 37 flights and a whole lot of flying time with the longest trip being from Wellington, New Zealand to Nairobi, Kenya which was around 44 hours of flying and transit time, door to door. I had serious jet lag on that one.
I’ve gotten ruthless when it comes to packing and have enjoyed just using carry on luggage for most of my European trips. I now find my sexy sponsored Rimowa suitcase, a little on the large side (to most people I’m sure it’s quite small).
To those of you asking, yes it’s hard sometimes to be always in a state of pack – it’s also exhausting, unsettling and sometimes even lonely. But I’ve realised I love being a global nomad (otherwise known as homeless).
Even when I rented my friends place in Amsterdam for 3 months, I was away for a third of the time and always had one bag ready to go – it’s part of my genetic makeup.
When I was recently in London, I visited the house I part own for the first time in 4 years and did a cull of the `stuff’ I had stored there. One suitcase (now empty), two boxes (now consolidated into one) and whole lot of shite thrown out, even the lovely sentimental stuff like cards, letters and tickets from events and adventures I’ve been on around the world.
I figured if I hadn’t missed it in 4 years, I wouldn’t miss it in another. I know a lot of people who simply can’t do this and be minimalists. I’ll be writing more on that in 2013, that’s for sure.
I’ve learned that I am always more productive with no internet and that’s why I purposefully choose not to have data on my iPhone, and just buy an international SIM for any calls or texts I may need to make. I then use the free wifi where possible to check in on social networks and email.
I actually think this makes life more fun and forces you to rely on your offline abilities – you know like asking for directions or help! Although I’m excited to be using GoPilotGPS for access to detailed offline maps and other cool travel apps and tools I wrote about.
Throughout it all I believe I held true to my values of creating freedom in business and adventure in life and writing about busting the location independent and designer lifestyle myth. I’ve worked from cars, planes, trains and boats. I’ve played in several serious party Frisbee tournaments and said yes to some unique opportunities and events.
I truly believe that travel makes you a true global citizen and that you will get far more out of life by paying for experiences, not stuff. Memories last forever, and world travel shapes you in a ways that no material object ever can.
Going Pro
I’m not talking about the camera GoPro that kindly sponsored me on my African trip, which I lost when it and my helmet flew off as I bungee jumped off the Victoria Falls bridge in Zambia. No, I’m talking about stepping into the fullness of my business.
It’s been one heck of a year and I’ve learned so much. More importantly I’ve stepped up into being the CEO of brand me, and the Suitcase Entrepreneur, finally. There’ve been many moments of doubt, major doubt as well as fear on all levels. The thing is:
No-one’s ever going to tell you you’re good enough or talented enough, or that you have the green light to succeed. That’s up to you. Tweet This
I mean people will tell you all the great things you’re doing, how great your products are, why they loved your speech, whether you inspire them. But the thing is it’s YOU who ultimately has to believe in YOU.
Simple as that! I highly recommend you read my 25 Lessons Learned In Business Manifesto for some real insight into what has made me fully embrace the potential of my business and how you can too. Oh and do it now, it’s the best time, trust me.
If you’re wondering how I’ve gone pro, in no particular order I have:
- Invested in my platform – not only this gorgeous new website in July, but also better designed products, SEO and strategic marketing campaigns.
- Invested in myself – I hired two coaches, built a strategic plan I know is totally achievable for 2013 and have become a better entrepreneur by applying knowledge I’ve learned from courses and programs I’ve invested in.
- Built A Sales Funnel – a huge missing piece of most online businesses is how to get more traffic and then convert your visitors into customers, not just one off but repeat. Along with that comes getting referrals and affiliates. I’ve done a much better job of building up each of these processes, one step at a time, with clearly visible results, and I’m launching a product to help you do the same – get yourself on the announcement list.
- Built A Stellar Team – it’s taken a while, but I’ve finally managed to outsource to a brilliant team of contractors which include my virtual assistant, WordPress tech guru, podcast editor and my new Chief Happiness Officer. It’s quite addictive to delegate your work and realize your team can do it better than you can! Letting go of your inner control freak and perfectionist is the hardest part.
If there’s one really valuable lesson I’ve learned this year, it is that you, my community, appreciate my ability to share generously. I’d not necessarily recognized the value of that until you told me, in no uncertain terms, how truly helpful that was (especially in my 24 Blog Lessons Learned post) – thank you!
So I am going to continue to `over share’ in a more strategic and valuable way in 2013. I’ll be sharing my plans and vision in a week’s time. In the meantime…
In the comments below let me know the biggest takeaway you’ve had in 2012!