Happy New Year! There’s a magical feeling on the first day of a new year. It’s turning a page to a fresh chapter, embracing the opportunity for a sparkling, clean slate. Whatever I achieved or didn’t, it’s all in the past now, and I can chart my course anew. There is beauty in the ability to leave behind the baggage of the previous year and focus wholeheartedly on current goals. Every January 1st, I take a deep breath and relish the unique sense of relaxation and excitement that fills the air. It’s a day when possibilities seem boundless, and I eagerly anticipate the journey ahead.
When I contemplate my aspirations for the upcoming year, I make it a ritual to write down my goals – first for the next three months, then six, and beyond. Shorter-term goals, achievable within the initial thirty days, keep me on track and provide a feeling of accomplishment practically immediately. Recognizing the importance of pacing myself, I strive to avoid overwhelming stress and burnout.
Hey everyone! Please be daring and pursue your desires, too. Maybe, you want to start a business, venture into a new career, or travel. Maybe, you started something and never finished it because it was too hard and you didn’t have the resources to carry it through. Or maybe, you need to shed the limitations that hinder a fulfilling life. Let this be the time you find your purpose, live it, and inspire others to do the same! I know it be daunting. Do it anyway.
As for me, I have returned to what I have always loved. In my upcoming book Can We Connect?! The Ultimate Guide to Being an Effective Connector, I discuss the struggle to find my purpose. Then, one day, I stumbled upon it.
In the early 2000’s, way before podcasting was popular or even well-known, a social media podcaster posted this question: “What happens if you have never worked a day in your life and you have to get a job because your husband suddenly lost his or because of some other emergency?” My comment led to being a guest on this podcast. It was so much fun I started to consider what it would be like on the other side of the mic. The rest is history.
Soon after, I was hosting my own business talk radio show. I enjoyed this so much! In fact, I was ecstatic. This was my purpose. My show was a huge success. I was contracted and hired to cover events across the nation. People all around the world tuned in. I was on top. Then, I decided to take the next step and own a radio station.
Unfortunately, I was very naïve about this industry. The task was too big for me. I thought with my heart and not my head. I wanted to give small business owners a platform to showcase their business and spotlight them as entrepreneurs. I also wanted to provide an opportunity to host a show. But I was schooled so fast that I couldn’t keep up!
I hadn’t anticipated all the different strong personalities that come with the territory. I had to deal with highly competitive, egotistical people, and my mindset was at a different level. I didn’t fit in. I stayed in my own lane and failed miserably. I should have reached out to a coach, who understood the industry and could help equip me better. Radio broadcasting was very cut-throat at the time.
It never even occurred to me that it mattered, but I was often told that I was the first woman to own a radio station. Clearly, I crossed an invisible barrier into the world of men. Maybe I was the first. I have never looked into it. But I was bullied nonetheless and left the industry hurt and betrayed. Someday, I hope to write a book on my experiences of owning a radio station in order to help others avoid the same mistakes. I want to provide the tools I didn’t have at the time.
I recently began hosting a show again on a YouTube channel. I didn’t want to return to radio. As I write this, I have done two shows. While strategizing goals, I realized that my vision of success would involve having all the perks I had before – and more. It feels great to come home again, back home to my roots where I got my start. I am where I need to be.
I will continue being a publicist for past clients when they need me. But this is my purpose. I feel refreshed and better equipped now. I am ready to conquer this industry. Now that I am back doing what I love, I want to share tools that can help you conquer your professional goals, too. My web player (like a radio station) has all the perks of a banner ad and rolls, video ads, and more ways to get your business name out there. To check it out for yourself, go to www.staceymarie.tv and click on the Listen Live button.
Hey Stacey Marie Channel player
Business owners must utilize every avenue for advertising. Each platform has a different audience. Give each option a minimum of six to nine months to see results. Set aside your marketing dollars for the year and spend that money in different genres.
Write out goals! Journaling is something I started after my radio show. It has helped me tremendously. Cross off and celebrate each goal you meet. Buy something special for yourself that you have been wanting. Go out for a bite with your significant other or friends.
Pace yourself. I can understand wanting to meet your goals right away. But working longer hours will cause burnout and lead you to start questioning why you began your business in the first place. You might end up disliking your work and your life. Early in my career, I worked eighty hours a week. I thought that would get me closer to my goals and it did, but I stopped taking care of myself and ate unhealthy meals on the run. It was dragging my body down.
Network as much as possible. A business owner can’t survive without meeting new people each week. When we stay in our core groups, our business will become stale. People are meant to build relationships. We were made to grow our networking circle. My show grew because I networked daily, posting on social media, making cold calls, and talking about my show with people everywhere. Keep in mind that you might go to an event and not meet a next client or customer. That’s OK. At least you met people. Utilize and nurture those relationships, too. You can gain new clients or customers through them. And please feel free to reach out to me, too, if you need further assistance.
Take breaks as needed. Walking away from what you are doing, physically and mentally, can be rejuvenating.
Have fun! Why not make what you do for a living enjoyable?! We should have fun while working. Your endorphins will increase and bring a smile to your face. Now, get out there and make this YOUR year!
