By Justine Clay
Happy New Year! I hope that your holiday season was wonderful and 2014 is off to a good start!
As I’ve gotten older New Year has become less about parties and resolutions and more about celebrating where I am and dreaming about where I want to be. There’s such a sense of excitement and possibility in the air that I make sure to take some time for a practice that I’m convinced sets the tone for a fantastic new year. It consists of 3 simple things:
- Reflecting with gratitude on the last year
- Dreaming about the possibilities for the year to come
- Planning a path for success.
And so, as 2013 draws to a close, I hope you’ll indulge me a little as I share what I’m most grateful for, as well as my hopes and dreams for 2014.
A great husband (trust me, this was not always in the cards!)
I’m in the middle of reading Lean In, and in one chapter, Sandberg writes about the critical role that a supportive partner plays in a successful business and happy life. Now, I don’t mind telling you, I’ve dated my fair share of less than stellar guys, so I thank my lucky stars daily that I had the good sense (or dumb luck) to wait until Steffen, the most supportive guy a girl could wish for, came into my life. We’re now parents to a 2 year-old and it takes a whole lot of effort and teamwork to keep the dream alive while managing the day-to-day. But somehow we’re doing it, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I work with talented and inspiring people every day
I’ve been working with independent creative professionals for more than 15 years and I can, hand-on-heart, say that I’ve never wished I did anything else. Working with such talented people inspires me to do the very best that I can for them. And because no person, process or project is the same, I’m challenged on a daily basis to adapt and deliver. Sometimes I’m more successful than others, but I’m grateful for their trust and the opportunity to learn and grow together.
Community and collaboration
While the power to succeed undoubtedly lies within us, community and collaboration are an essential part of our success. Most creative professionals and entrepreneurs thrive in the company of focused, like-minded people. I know that I need the energy of others to keep on trucking and I’m lucky to have so many resources. From the creative hub that is my Chrystie Street office-space (once described as “the highest concentration of design genius in the city” by New York Magazine) to organizations such as In Good Company and theFreelancers Union, I’m never short of people who are committed to being the best they can be.
The unlimited potential for transformation and growth
The human spirit is a tremendous thing isn’t it? No matter where we are or what our circumstances, there is always potential to transform and succeed. My clients are often in a place of transition when we meet and that place doesn’t always feel comfortable. Seeing them, get un-stuck and manifest their true talents is beyond gratifying.
I’d never ask my clients to do something that I’m not willing to do, so this year I made the decision to invest in taking my own business to the next level and I joined the Client Attraction Business School. The experience and results have been transformative and I can’t wait to implement even more of what I’ve learned and share it with my clients in 2014.
Who knows what the new year will bring, but my goals are these: to appreciate where I am and what I have, to recognize the inherent power within that will allow me to achieve more than I thought possible, and to commit to doing the work I need to do.
I can’t wait to do it all with all of you. May 2014 be your best year yet!
