Jan
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Top 10 Things I Learned in 2008
Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Sometimes we plan too much for the future without reflecting upon the past. Instead of making 2009 resolutions today, I’d like to re-cap what I learned in 2008. Hopefully, this will help me realize what I need to work on in the coming year. In no particular order, here you go: The Top 10 Things I Learned this Year.
1. I learned to take big, scary risks. I hired a staff, got an office, produced an expensive live DVD of the Girls Fight Back seminar, had my own radio show and did more speaking engagements than ever in my career. Risk is uncomfortable, but also invigorating!
2. I learned it’s okay to have high expectations of people, and how to be equally prepared for pleasant or unpleasant surprises. This year, I had both. In the end, I learned a lot about being a boss and building a solid team.
3. I learned that travel is cool and fun sometimes, but it’s also a bitch when you travel for a living. Funny, but I seem to re-learn this one every year.
4. I learned that Girls Fight Back is destined to be much bigger than me. It’s time to grow. A big announcement is coming soon, but here’s a hint: GFB will be hiring Speakers/Instructors this year. For real.
5. I learned a lot about money…how to make it, how to lose it, how to manage it, how to invest it and how to beef up or slim down when necessary. 2009 will be more mobile, leaner, smarter and stronger…all with the help of Mint.com. (Greatest website ever, IMHO.)
6. I learned how much I want to become a mother someday. I miscarried my first pregnancy in August, and several weeks later I began my Fall Tour. It was sad, if not the hardest loss I’ve endured next to Shannon’s murder in 2001. While this sort of life event can make a person quite bitter or envious, really I just learned what a miracle life is.
7. I learned to let go. Especially after the miscarriage, I started to realize how NOT in control we are of many things. Sometimes there is peace in knowing we simply aren’t in charge, even for control freaks like myself. I learned to stop and listen to what God or the Universe has in store for me, instead of me always calling the shots.
8. I learned to think globally. This year I began to dream bigger than my own country, and envision what is possible for the world. I met a woman named Lee Sinclair (Founder of I’m Worth Defending) who taught me about violence happening across the globe in Africa. I’ll be going to Kenya next year to teach women’s safety and self-defense, and can’t wait to humbly contribute in any way I can.
9. I learned to choose friends and critics wisely. Everyone has an opinion, and you can’t be all things to all people. Haters (especially anonymous ones) are everywhere, but they’re only as important as you let them be. So are friends – keep them close and show appreciation often.
10. I learned to breathe. It might sound crazy, but getting serious about yoga and meditation this year taught me how stressful my life was. Literally, I was holding my breath much of the time. It’s an ongoing struggle to keep my life within a reasonable balance – but who ISN’T struggling with this! Baby steps, right?
What did you learn this year? Please comment.
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4 Responses to “Top 10 Things I Learned in 2008”
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Erin,
You make a great point in talking about reflection. I think we could all benefit from more reflection in our lives. And–I know that you will make a wonderful mother some day.
Stay strong,
Sarah
Hi Erin, thx for sharing your Top 10 Things Learned. What a great exercise in self-introspection. I’ll take your lead and create my own as well. Def time well spent, (and thank you for sharing Mint.com; just what I was looking for)! Have a peaceful and prosperous 2009 guys!! All the best.
Erin, thanks for the retrospective thoughts! A couple of things I “re-learned” (as in I already knew them, just had the lesson reinforced):
It’s really OK for us control freaks to delegate. I’ve finally hired someone to take on some of my more routine administrative tasks. My next lesson will be in REALLY letting her do the job without my constant hovering presence.
Some things cannot be delegated and need to be done, no matter how busy I think I am. I let my aerobic fitness go, and am now working to get it back. (Exercise bike and audio books – I’m currently listening to Cathie Black’s Basic Black and recommend it to any woman who’s in any business.)
Can’t delegate relationships with family and friends, and can’t put them off forever. Which is a bit tricky if you make yourself very busy with work, volunteering, teaching, etc., and are an incorrigible introvert. However, all work and no play really does make Joanne a dull girl.
I’m looking forward to hearing about your new GFB plans!
Joanne
What you have learned in the last year is something everyone should do a better job of applying to their lives – myself included. I learned that sometimes, you just have to take things with a grain of salt. There are things even control freaks can’t control, and we just have to let life run its course. Also, having a laugh at the expense of life sometimes really is the best medicine.