It’s almost the end of 2017, and it’s been quite a year! I feel like I blinked and the year was over, but I also look back and am amazed at how much has happened over the year. So, I thought I’d share a little bit about my reflection process for a year-end review, and maybe it will inspire you to do the same!  

I like to look back at my goals (yes, I write them down each year) to see what I thought I’d accomplish and how I did. But sometimes, things happen along the way that weren’t in our goals, and they still made a big impact on our year. I look back and think about who I’ve spent time with, what I’ve created or impacted, what’s made a difference in my life and my business. It’s been a habit of mine for many years, sitting down in the last week of the year, thinking about what’s unfolded in my life.

Here are some of my Clever Girl highlights from my year-end review: 

• I worked with more than 40 clients in more than 150 appointments, not to mention connecting with the many Clever Girl Organizing Challenge participants! I’m grateful for every single one! And that number doesn’t even include my career coaching or consulting clients, which also keep me busy. 

• There were 15 speaking events I presented or panels I hosted, with an audience total of over 1,000 people. Thank you to those organizations for inviting me in to speak and share!

• My book, Clever Girl’s Guide to Living with Less, has sold more than 350 copies in paperback and Kindle format. Thank you to all of you who have purchased and read it! (or purchased it, put it on a pile to be read later 🙂 )

• Was interviewed for three podcasts, had tips included in an article in The Sunday Boston Globe Magazine and contributed to my very first nationally-distributed magazine, Better Homes and Gardens “Secrets of Getting Organized” Early Spring 2018 Issue, on stands on December 26, 2017! I’m honored every time someone wants to interview me or share my thoughts with their audience!

Secrets of Getting Organized, Early Spring 2018 Issue. On stands 12/26/17 – 3/25/28

• I finally got on Instagram, and actually posted things. Okay, not a lot, but a lot more than none, which was my goal. If you’re following me, thank you!

• I was named one of Boston’s Best Organizers for 2017. I mean, whoa, that was really unexpected!

• And in February, I received my Certified Professional Organizer^® status, the highest level of credentialing in my industry, held by less than 5% of people in my profession. 

But it hasn’t all been perfect (and I’m not even talking about life in the world outside my own little home and business). My year-end review revealed some things that didn’t go as well as I imagined:

• My blogging frequency was not so great. Bad, even. I spent more time on social media, sharing content with people, but it’s not the same as writing a good ol’ fashioned blog post. (That’s right: blog posting seems old-fashioned sometimes, doesn’t it?!)  Between writing my book and producing a LOT of content each week all year for the Clever Girl Organizing Challenge group, blogging just tended to be last on my list. I’m sorry about that! I owe you all more than that. 

• I fell a bit short of my goal of speaking events (even though I had many, my goal for corporate speaking events was a bit loftier than it came out in the end). 

• I wanted to have my 2018 Clever Girl Organizing Challenge released by Christmas, but it will actually be released by New Years, instead. (It’s going to be a great one — focusing on Photos and Paperwork! Stay tuned!)

• I made some changes and improvements to my website, but I hoped to do much more. (On to the 2018 list it goes, I guess!)

• And, of course, I always look back and think, “I could have worked to get more clients this year…” I always tell people, “I could be 15% busier and I’d be really happy!” 

On the personal side, I had a good year there, too, with a few goals hit along the way. I’ve been working on health goals, weight management, and really accomplished some great things in that area. My husband, Handy Boy, and I were able to finish some big projects around the house, finally completing our list of things we’d like to accomplish one day from when we moved in 6 years ago. And we managed to have a few fun vacations and road trips along the way! 

All in all, I’m happy with 2017, and feel like I hit many important goals, and had a few (great) surprises along the way. I also know I couldn’t have accomplished most of it without the support of my friends, family, and Clever Girl Nation, so THANK YOU! And I’m glad to have some things to work on 2018, and that I already have a few items on my goal sheet to get started on.

What would your year-end review look like for 2017? Even if you didn’t write down your goals, you can think about what you accomplished. You can identify where you had meaningful impacts in your life and in the lives of others. Most importantly, you can celebrate what you are most proud of for this year. You can also take some time to reflect on those swings and misses, or the swings you just didn’t take, that you’re committing to for next year. Whatever that list looks like for you, I hope you’re looking back on 2017 with warm feelings, and looking forward to 2018 with hope, inspiration, and excitement!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, Clever Girl Nation!