This month marked my five-year anniversary as a coach. Time flies when you're having fun! When a milestone like this comes around it is natural for me to do some reflecting and I’m excited to share some of the memories I’ve been thinking about. 

I’ve made mistakes.

I have made mistakes. I spent nearly $10,000 on a marketing coach who tried to have me conform to a method she said would work. I was stubborn and refused to ask for support from colleagues around me, and I also spent the first six months after my biggest talk not applying to speak again, because of just one bad review. Growth comes from vulnerability and self-reflection and I'm grateful for these mistakes because they've come with such valuable lessons.

I’ve met amazing people.

I’ve met some incredible people who have made huge impacts on my personal and professional life. I’ve had others train me, push me to find my own voice, and help me to know my worth. In return, this allows me to give back to my community of clients and I’m forever grateful! 

I’ve cried in the weirdest places.

Is it odd that I’ve even reminisced on the weirdest places I’ve cried while building my business?  I've shed a few tears in the basement bathroom of the Andaz Wall Street hotel, the parking lot of a Whole Foods in Portland, ME, and a convention center meeting room in Prague, Czech Republic - just to name a few.

I’ve had proud moments.

I’ve had moments that have made me incredibly proud to look back on. In 2016, I created enough income and clients to leave my job and move to Maine. Three short years later I spoke at the largest global coaching conference in Prague. Then, I continued my international speaking career at the SAP Global Coaching Summit and spoke to an audience of SEVEN HUNDRED leaders. Through all this, I've learned that loving what you do is still work. It's optional if you make the work hard. 

I’ve learned big lessons.

Lastly, I will leave you with the most important lessons that I’ve mastered in business. 

1. Surround yourself with people who will champion your cause and raise you up.

2. The fear of failure never really goes away. But you'll learn how to ignore its whispers to you.

4. Your clients are out there - learn to speak to them, rather than speaking to who you think you should be.

5. Put systems in place to make your work successful. If something isn't in your zone of genius, be willing to invest in people who can support you.

Thank you to everyone who has been there for me, these past five years, and for everyone who will continue to impact my life in the years to come. Cheers!