The 2020 rollercoaster has been a bumpy ride for almost everyone. To put it more bluntly, this year has sucked. But it hasn’t been all bad, at least not for my freelance copywriting business.
Among all the chaos, there have been some unexpected silver linings—small changes that have made me a better CEO, a better creative—heck, a better person. So, I’m celebrating them! For one, because don’t we all deserve something to celebrate right now!? And two, I thought other entrepreneurs (whether you’re a freelance copywriter/content writer like me or something else entirely) could learn from this too.
Here are 3 good things that have happened in my life and business this year, despite everything that’s going on.
In 2020, I learned a new card game. I read more books this year than I have in the last 5 years. I grew my first radishes and colored in a coloring book!
The moral of the story? Often, in business (as in life) simple is best. Taking more time to slow the eff down and just be in the moment is really, really good for you…it’s where the magic happens! If you’re already a business owner, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. And if you’re just starting out, put this on your list now:
Not kidding – you should regularly take 30 minutes or an hour to just freaking sit there and do nothing else except dream about what you want for your business. So simple, and it often results in ideas that will make you more money, allow you to serve your clients better, and save tons of time.
The pandemic forced me to trade in my studio yoga classes for at-home yoga. What used to be a 90-minute practice 1 – 2 times per week has now become an almost daily habit. My sessions are much shorter now (usually 10 – 20 minutes in the morning)…but I am 100% convinced that doing a little each day is far more valuable for me than a longer class just once or twice a week.
This did not happen overnight. It took a while to get to a place of consistency. Between figuring out the right time of day, length of time, and whether to YouTube it, app it, or make it up myself…but I did it. I know this is not earth-shaking—and it may sound completely unrelated to my business, but it is absolutely connected! Consistency is extremely important in my career as a freelance writer. And seeing the change in my daily life makes me want to build better habits in my business, too.
Besides, my days are just sooo much better when I start this way. And you better believe this practice helps me get my creative juices flowing and set my focus for the workday! Consistency is key.
This year has been so tumultuous for small business owners. I’m grieving for the many small businesses that are suffering – and I’m cheering for those that are thriving. I’ve been so inspired seeing people completely reinvent their businesses, and communities rally around to support them.
A great business is built on relationships, and I’m so grateful to all the awesome clients who have stuck with me in 2020 – we built even deeper relationships as we worked together through the ups and downs of the year. We worked hard to adjust to unexpected changes in content strategy. We cared about each other’s needs, inquired more about personal lives and safety, and respected boundaries. Truly a beautiful thing!
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