As a busy mom of two and a freelancer, the end of the year feels like the perfect time to hit pause and take stock. Reflection doesn’t have to be fancy or time-consuming, it’s just a chance to look back and learn. First, let’s talk about celebrating wins. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the hustle that we forget to acknowledge the small stuff. For me, this year’s biggest win was finding a way to balance client deadlines with family life. Some days, it felt like a juggling act, but somehow, I managed to keep everything moving forward even if that meant throwing together a quick dinner most nights. Progress is progress, even if it’s a little messy. Then, there are the challenges. Let’s be real, things don’t always go as planned. Maybe it was a project that got delayed or the never-ending pile of laundry that just sat there mocking me. Instead of letting those moments drag me down, I tried to approach them as opportunities to learn. Asking myself, “What can I do differently next time?” helped me focus on growth rather than perfection. Finally, looking ahead to next year, I’m setting a goal to be more intentional with my time. Multitasking has its place, but I’ve realized that prioritizing one thing at a time—whether it’s work or spending undistracted time with my kids, helps me feel more balanced and effective. Reflection doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. Grab a notebook, jot down your thoughts, and see what comes up. What’s one win you’re most proud of this year? Let’s celebrate the progress and keep building on it for next year.

The New Year is right around the corner, but here’s the thing, discipline doesn’t magically appear on January 1st. It’s something you can start building right now, one small habit at a time. 1. Start Small Discipline is like a muscle—it grows with consistent effort. Pick one small habit you can commit to daily, like drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning or spending 5 minutes tidying up before bed. 2.Create a Routine Having a routine makes it easier to stick to habits. it’s all about prepping the night before, writing my to-do list or setting up breakfast so mornings feel less chaotic. 3.Track Your Progress There’s something so motivating about seeing how far you’ve come. Whether it’s a journal, an app, or just a checklist on your fridge, tracking your wins keeps you accountable. 4. Be Kind to Yourself You’re not going to get it perfect every day, and that’s okay. What matters is that you show up and keep trying. Progress, not perfection, is the goal. Discipline isn’t about waiting for the New Year to start fresh, it’s about starting now with small, intentional choices.

Between recently welcoming @Wendy Wiseman to the group and getting my wisdom teeth removed today, I have been reflecting on wisdom in business. So hopefully, before all memory wisdom is lost to me, I can preserve some insights in writing. (Sorry for the bad dad joke. I don't have kids, but watching my nephews so much, I think I start to take on some of the same traits. 😂) Smart: Clear your workspace before you start Easy: Pile everything on your desk and hope for the best Smart: Plan your day before it begins Easy: Wing it and see what happens Smart: Focus deeply on one important thing Easy: Try to juggle everything at once Smart: Build systems that last Easy: Reinvent your process every time Smart: Say no to most things Easy: Chase every shiny opportunity Smart: Make time for strategic thinking Easy: Stay busy to feel productive Smart: Stick to what works Easy: Chase every new trend Smart: Finish what you start Easy: Leave trails of half-done projects Smart: Keep your promises small and deliver Easy: Make big promises you can't keep Smart: Measure what truly matters Easy: Count obvious metrics that mean little Smart: Learn from small mistakes early Easy: Keep making the same big mistakes Smart: Build brick by brick Easy: Try to leap to the finish line Smart: Know your limits and work within them Easy: Pretend you can do it all Smart: Ask for help when you need it Easy: Struggle alone until you break Smart: Make things simpler Easy: Add complexity and call it innovation