It all started out so well…2020 has been my most looked forward to year since 2015. Yes I am one of those people who plans out their life in 5 years phases. I accomplished the important bits I had set out to do for 2015 but there were some things missing. The car, the riches and two fully stamped and completed passports from my “never-ending” travels across the globe. Yes, by then I would have finally gone back to Cape Town, visited the infamous Dubai that all the cool kids ticked off their bucket lists a long time ago. Yes I would have finally done the sky diving down to the Palm Jumeirah and enjoyed one of those dessert safaris, where I would get to dress up like a wealthy Arabian woman and learn how to belly dance – if that really is a thing for a person with a rounder than normal belly! I was going to go to conferences, holidays, weddings and whatever other reasons there are for being a globe trotter. Not to worry though, I told myself, there was still 2020.
By Jan 31 2020 I was ready to kick some ass! It was time to finally get the show on the road!
First thing I figured was to get my finances in order so I can finally achieve some long standing personal dreams. This came full with creating several spreadsheets on the way forward. This was then followed up by several sticky notes for the desktop page on my laptop that outlined bullet points of POA for 2020. This included notes such as “No settling”, “Find another hustle that pays at least $1000 usd per month”, “Create more strategic partnerships” etc. The sticky notes are several and yes, they are all color coded 🙂
On Sunday March 15th 2020, the breaking news update from the Government, announcing that schools had been closed indefinitely due to the COVID 19 pandemic that was sweeping through the world. Little did I know, or rather little did we know what this would really mean. Four months later, I have gone through all the stages of grief, in mourning the big plans I had for the year. Disappointment can hit hard and if not managed properly, can lead to depression.
Am I disappointed that the year has not gone according to my 5 year plan? Yes. Am I disappointed that I haven’t bought my “indicate from the left” car yet? Yes. Am I disappointed that I actually haven’t hit page 10 of my current passport? Yes. Am I disappointed that instead of having hit my financial targets for the year, I am lagging behind? Yes. But when has disappointment ever changed the price of bread tomorrow? Or given free access passes to the luxury hotels and airlines you want? When? Errrrrr, never! “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it” – Charles Swindoll
So what now you ask?
Now, we pivot, now we grow, now we strap on the bra and get ready to meet the world! It’s easy to feel discouraged, its normal to feel scared, the world has changed but so can I, and so can you! The major difference between those who are successful and those who aren’t is MINDSET! How do you change your mindset you ask? Well, the first step for me in the last 4 months has been opening myself up to the world of reading! Well, audio books in my case! The 3 books that have spoken to my very core since the pandemic hit have been the following:
1) Chillpreneur by Denise Duffiled-Thomas
2) The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
3) Get Rich Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas
You can choose to hide under the sheets and bitch and moan about how COVID or the economy has taken away your job, your business, your family, your dreams or you can put on your big girl panties and get ready to kick some ass! The journey to achieving your version of success does not have to be a lonely one, we can walk the journey together as women supporting each other. In the words of my current favorite author Denise Duffiled-Thomas, put your hands on your heart and say this out loud…”It’s my time, and I am ready for the next step!”
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