✨ Let's talk 2024: "ins" and "outs"

Happy New Year to you!

While we're wrapping up January, I hope your 2024 is off to a great start. I took some much-needed time off and decided to ease back into the year.

When 2023 came to a close, I encouraged you to take account of the year as a whole. To take a thorough look at your successes, identify areas requiring honest and constructive scrutiny, and consider what improvements are needed. These “revelations” can be valuable as we navigate this new year.

Personally, while last year held its share of great moments, it also presented challenges that compelled me to take a hard look at my life—both at home and in the workplace, and all of the nuanced spaces in between.

Since my last newsletter, I've had heartfelt conversations with friends, coworkers, peers, and the amazing subscribers of 'The Loop'. Your feedback warms my heart, and I'm genuinely inspired by those of you who have responded by generously sharing experiences, updates, and reflections on your unique journeys. Thank you once again for being a part of this community!

Remarkably, every person I spoke to shared one thing in common. I found it interesting this theme surfaced consistently in all my conversations. And that is you're feeling an inner pull…a yearning if you will…to cultivate and nurture your most authentic self. Some have made this a top-of-list resolution for the new year!

Many of you have made it your mission to invest in yourselves more actively and intentionally:

Whether it's launching or scaling your own business….

Reevaluating professional relationships….

Venturing onto paths of personal discovery, financial advancement, and a deeper purpose…

Unlearning certain behaviors or modes of operation that no longer serve you…

Departing from certain social ideals or antiquated “roles” that suffocate your progress…

Or my favorite—seeking personal fulfillment.

The strides you’re making to align yourself with your unique brand of success are nothing short of inspiring! Putting the saying… “Out with the old, in with the new” into practice.

With this in mind, keep reading below as I share a few “outs” and “ins” of my own.

I hope sharing my experiences inspires you to seek more clarity, ease, and increased alignment with the biggest desires for your life.

First up, the “Outs” for 2024…

Perfectionism

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an overachiever. A perfectionist. Once I entered the corporate world, that drive amplified tenfold.

However, while climbing the corporate ladder, I didn’t see many people who looked like me… if any. As a woman, and more specifically, a Black woman in ecommerce, we were few and far between—especially in leadership.

I share this because I often hear many professionals in similar positions sharing their experiences of the pressures to be a “shining example.”

Navigating and managing those pressures is a heavy load to carry. Plus operating under such circumstances and expectations is not sustainable.

A few years ago, I was in a terrible accident that broke my arm badly in seven places. While in a meeting, one C-suite level executive told me, “Oh! You are not perfect anymore.”

Not only did I have this idea of perfection for myself, but the executive's statement was a confirmation—proving that was also how I was being viewed. I no longer wanted to have this “perfect” expectation for myself and I no longer wanted anyone else to have this expectation of me. This is something that I continue to work on. After all, I am human. I am flawed. But I’m also great in so many ways.

While success is often predicated on the willingness to go above and beyond… it is simultaneously important to remember that what you bring to the table is unique to your particular skill set and experience. And that who you are, as well as what you are… is an asset.

A few thoughts…

1. Seek and cultivate professional environments and relationships that foster true cooperation and mutual appreciation.

2. You can’t do everything. Build and empower a team that covers all bases.

3. Don’t stay in situations where your contribution is not honored or respected.

4. And remember: you have nothing to prove to anyone except yourself.

Spreading myself too thin…

I often amaze myself at all the things that I can do in one day, but this year, I’m making a conscious effort to breathe… focusing more on quality vs. quantity.

1. “No” is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal, and knowing when to use it (even on yourself) can make all the difference!

2. Becoming more organized and discerning with what you choose to add to your plate is a great place to start.

3. There is absolutely such a thing as being "too busy"!

Take moments to ask questions like:

1. Where can I be most effective?

2. Does the time spent outweigh the added value?

3. How does this project or relationship lend itself to the “big picture”?

4. Do I have time left for what matters most?

Not celebrating my WINS…

Confidence is built through accomplishments.

While practicing humility is a virtue, it’s also more than okay to acknowledge your achievements and milestones. Share your WINS with your friends, family, community, or on social media. And most importantly, make sure to share with key stakeholders.

Remember:

1. Visibility allows like-minded individuals, potential investors, clients, collaborators, etc. to find you and connect.

2. Accreditation builds trust in your brand.

3. Your accomplishments may inspire others to take steps toward their own goals. People feed off of positivity.

4. Marking steps on your journey may give you the much-needed perspective that helps you to stay the course!

And… the “Ins” for 2024 (what I'm continuing)

Going after what I want…

I’ve always held the mindset that everything I want is attainable. Nothing–and I do mean nothing–is out of reach.

Thanks to this belief system, I’ve worked for some of the top retail and tech companies—and launched a successful consulting business on the side. More recently, I moved to a city I wanted to live since I was 17 years old...and made that dream happen. You see, I’ve moved around quite a bit for work. But when COVID hit, I decided to finally move to my dream city with just two suitcases.

And you know what? Everything beautifully fell into place. Oftentimes, all you need to do is trust in yourself and your abilities, and take that leap!

This year, I’m continuing to seize the day and I encourage you to do the same:

1. Make a list… vision board… visualize and make it happen.

2. “It is possible." Don’t automatically disqualify yourself.

3. Take calculated risks.

4. Brave the No’s to get to the Yes.

5. Meet all opportunities with preparation.

6. Silence your inner “hater” or “critic".

So this year …. apply for that career jump-level role, start that business, take that trip, move to your dream city…. make that investment!

Investing in my physical health…

We’ve all heard it a million times…Health is wealth!

It’s true.

Many underestimate the connection between an active body and an active mind. I definitely encourage you, if you haven't done so already, to find some physical activity that can serve as an outlet.

For me, exercise has served as an outlet to reduce stress and helps me to make important decisions with a clearer mind.

I became extremely serious about my personal fitness within the past three years. Every week, I train with my personal trainer Amber (love her 💛), and have become obsessed with Pilates. Love love love Pilates. Recently, I started taking swimming classes to mix it up.

I also limit the amount of meals I eat outside of the house and thanks to the NYT Cooking app, I have become a bit of a personal chef 🧑🏾‍🍳 lol. This has immensely helped me and impacted my life in so many positive ways.

And on a final note of self-care, we cannot forget about REST. It's so easy to become "too busy" and to undervalue the importance of rest and recovery. My go-to for relaxation is a full-day spa experience.

Helping more people…

I’m committed to growing this newsletter as a way to foster community and a network for people to connect and share. I am most fulfilled when I help people—whether it’s friends, coworkers, professionals, entrepreneurs, or even strangers—in any way that I can. It's important that we don’t lose sight of the value we can bring to others ✨.

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Let’s make 2024 your year of abundance....

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