Imma gonna confess. One thing I like about that quiet stretch from late December thru the beginning of January is that I can get a lot done.
Perhaps I shouldn’t be working, but the undisturbed, undistracted time feels super productive — which almost feels like a gift. (Yes, a graphic novel, multi-cooker, or travel adventure would be a much more fun present….)
Part of my time and mental space was filled with reflecting on 2024 and conjuring up what I want 2025 to be. Here are some of the broad strokes.
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👀 2024 Hindsight
My Word of the Year was “Discomfort” and that was certainly front-and-center the whole time. It was at the core of most of what I did.
I chose that word because I wanted to push my boundaries and feel empowered to experiment. I wanted self-permission to acknowledge what wasn’t aligned or working and shed it and move on.
As a result, I:
- Joined a business/financial coaching program* that has gotten me to dig into and start rewriting my “money stories.” Which is leading to several changes in my biz.
. - Revamped my DFY/DWY biz model so that my consulting and freelance services will all be done as VIP Intensive Experiences. Should be much more manageable and clear-cut for both me and my clients.
. - Mapped out and began creating a more strategic and intuitive collection of DWY/DIY offerings so it’s easier for you to see how we can work together, what value you’re getting, benefits and results you can expect, next steps, etc. (This is still very much a WIP!) You’ll also see more mention or integration of both sides of my business (i.e., Suzanne Brick Consulting and SB Success Factor).
. - Am getting serious about working on myself and my biz. I’m trying different approaches to time and information management to see what works best for me and have been hitting on some good resources, tools, systems, and processes!
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This has translated into things like:
- Thriving Thursdays
- Hosting 3 B2B bundles and participating in a ton of other people’s bundles
- Being a panelist and guest presenter for someone else’s bundle event
- Beginning to do email-based resource swaps* with other small businesses
- Conceptualizing and beginning to build out new community+events+content experiences
- Doing a YouTube Live
- New DFY/DWY service options for business communications and content needs
- Campaigns like Holiday Deals Round-Up
- Creating weblists: Happenings, Recommended Resources, and B2B Ally Support
- Being a contributor to The Email Experiment*
- Showing up on video more — both for content and for communication/messaging
These are all things that enable me to serve you better in ways that feel more aligned with my skills, experience, and interests.
🔮 2025 Foresight
This year, I’m not ditching “Discomfort.” I’m adding on.
I couldn’t think of a lone word that really felt good on me. So, instead, I have a few themes that resonate. Here’s what I’m rallying around in 2025:
- Agency -> Activation -> Accomplishment. Owning my power and responsibility for what’s in my control. Mobilizing myself into taking action and having follow-through. Doing what I can to drive results and achieve my goals.
. - Strategic, Simplified, Streamlined. Being intentional, innovative, and balanced. Focusing on providing value via in-demand offerings. Systematizing, creating processes and workflows, automating, and leveraging tools smartly. Not over-thinking, over-complicating, over-embellishing, etc. Being mindful of what matters most and designing the most direct, fluff-free pathways from Point A to Point B. Ever evaluating and adapting to stay in (or ahead of?) the game.
. - Success & Thriving for Prosperity & Abundance. Defining my values and priorities and abiding by them. Not letting my biz define my [entire] identity. Being receptive to new and unanticipated opportunities. Striving to elevate and leverage my energetics. Infuse more fun and joy and discovery into my day-to-day. Creating the business I need for the life and lifestyle I want and deserve. Helping to raise the tide so everyone’s boat can float.
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So, what’s this mean for you? I mean, for you, that’s what it all boils down to, right?
Well, TBH, not entirely sure yet! While I am laying out priorities and plans, I also don’t have all the answers + I want to leave room for flexibility.
But here’s what I can say, you may see stuff like:
- Pared down or repackaged offerings that make more sense and you can quickly understand how they solve a problem or challenge you’re having.
. - Shorter, less elaborate, and more focused emails that you’ll find ;more consumable, actionable, and memorable.
. - A broader variety of content formats. To keep things fresh and interesting, to right-fit the presentation, and to tap into your communication/learning styles.
. - Greater focus on connection, conversation, collaboration, and community — i.e., enriching, meaningful, and impactful experiences taking the lead and content/resources to drive, underpin, or serve in supportive roles.
. - More creative collaborations and partnerships with fellow small businesses so that I can share valuable products, services, etc. — that are beyond, but complementary to, my areas of expertise — with you. And to provide opportunities for you to gain visibility!
Again, I think this gives me the bandwidth to serve you better. It provides an adaptable, resilient structure — runways to lots of destinations we can explore together! What’s in the works, I believe, will allow me to be more present and fulfilled personally and professionally.
A Year of Onwards & Upwards
Stay tuned to see what — exactly — unfolds and the year holds!
The best way to keep yourself in the loop is by being on the SBSF email list, connecting on social, and cruising through this website periodically.
In the meantime: Thanks, cheers, and take care!
* This page has affiliate links. If you click on affiliate links, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
