The WordPress Chick – a look back on 2009

So I’ve been thinking about a year end post or New Year’s post for a few days now – and I finally decided the best way to go about it was simply to WRITE it! Sometimes it’s best to get out of your head and write what you feel.

This has been an amazing, frustrating, challenging, inspiring, tiring and wonderful year. When I started this journey a few years ago, I wasn’t exactly sure where it would take me, but I knew the direction I was hoping it would take me. It’s taken me in a direction I didn’t anticipate- but am definitely grateful. That being said, I know I’m at the place in my business where if I want to take it to the next level (and I do) – then it’s time to raise the bar. I’ll get back to what I mean by that in a minute….before that, here are a few things I’m taking from 2009:

• “If it is to be, it is up to me!” Don’t know who said that, but it couldn’t be MORE true! The latest and greatest information product won’t work if I don’t take action.

• That my greatest passion within my business is teaching & sharing what I know with others. I intend to make this my primary focus in 2010.

• Trust your gut! I actually fired a client this year….never thought I would do that….but the money wasn’t worth it. If you cringe every time you get an email from a specific person….its time to call it quits. I do this for myself, not to feel like an employee. If I wanted to work for someone else, I’d get a job.

• Consistency is KEY!!! I got this reminder when I interviewed Keller Hawthorne and she said one of the most important things you can do for seo with your site/blog is to post 5 days a week when you’re getting started.

• Participate! It’s a social web now…the best way to get people to engage with you is to engage with them first….without pitching.

• When I’m happy and I’m doing what I feel is right…my business flourishes.

• I can’t do this alone…..finding people to work with and learning when to hire people has been one of the smartest things I’ve done. This is also an area I intend to focus on this year. More joint ventures, partnerships and hiring people to do the things I’m not great it….owning your weaknesses is as important as owning your strengths.

• Going to live events was one of the best things I did last year. It’s not about the speakers…it’s about the people you can meet and mingle with. I met some amazing people last year and am looking forward to attending more events this year.

• We’ve all heard this one….”It’s all about the ‘List’ “. SO true…and there are a million ways to build it- I’m still figuring that one out. But through trial and error I know I’ll find the best way to grow my list with the right type of subscribers. Bear with me on this one…

• On a personal note- you have to keep balance in your life. I had more than a few occasions where I realized I had been working EVERY day (weekends too) without a break (outside of picking the kids up, errands, etc.). I’ve learned to listen to my body on this one- it’s the best indicator of when it’s time to do something else.

Ok…back to raising the bar.

Personally- I think I’ve allowed myself to get a little TOO comfortable. My business is growing and I’m super busy- but I KNOW there are better ways to leverage what I’m doing and how I’m doing it. I have had some great things in the works for a while now- but I’ve been a little too hesitant about putting them out there! Why? That four little word…..FEAR! Fear of what? Fear of putting people off, fear of failure, fear of emailing too much, etc.  The irony with this is that when I get a promotion or hear from someone whose list I’ve subscribed too…..I appreciate it! Do I buy everything? Of course not! But the marketers who share valuable content AND market to me are the ones I’m gong to buy from. Plain and simple.

My last final note is to my subscribers and readers. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the comments, retweets and questions you send via email. A lot of the videos I’ve done are because you’ve asked for them. I have a couple things I’ll be doing to ‘pay it forward’ to my subscribers….stay tuned for that.

Happy New Year everyone. Let’s make 2010 amazing!
Kim