I have nothing but gratitude for this year, because if I didn't reset that, if I didn't let go of those things, if I didn't move forward in the right direction, on the right path, I would be way further behind.
Welcome to the Legacy Creator podcast, a show dedicated to giving you the tools you need to build a profitable, purposeful, and powerful business that lasts. I'm your host, Ashton Smith. I'm a sixth-generation entrepreneur who is passionate about helping you think bigger so that you can actualize your goals and build your legacy.
Let's dive in.
Welcome back to the Legacy Creator podcast. Today is gonna be such a cozy, fun episode. We literally brought the cozy intention with your sweater. Mm-hmm. Sweater vibes. And my flannel. Mm-hmm. I've got leggings on that you can't see 'cause they're not really cute with my outfit, but, you know, we've got our coffees. And this episode's gonna be—it's gonna have, like, the same conversational tone that we always bring, but it's gonna be less, like, action items, like, big takeaways that you should act on, and more so, like, powerful reflection, and kind of, like, you get to be a fly on the wall to see, like, some of what we went through this year. Like, behind the scenes, the real stuff. You know what I'm saying? The real stuff, the real tea. So, we want to open up kind of, like, our journal or—Yeah.—whatever, and just share a little bit about this year, and I think it's gonna be fun.
Woo-hoo!
Let's get into it.
Let's do it!
Okay, so what we do to start every single year is, around Christmastime, we get together as a family and we sit in, um, my parents' living room, and we share our words for the year. And it's, like, my favorite thing ever. Mm-hmm. It's like my favorite—I'm already vision casting for my word for next year, and I'm already just excited to sit around the living room and just talk about the, the last year, and talk about what's upcoming. And so, we select words for the year, and that's kind of, like, our anthem and our, our theme for the entire, like, upcoming 365 days. And so, what we wanted to do was kind of start by sharing, like, what were our words for this year and what did it look like to live that out?
So, my word was steadfast. My word was trailblaze. And I still remember, like, when we got together and we talked about these words last year. I think we went to Sola Coffee. Yeah. We met for, like, a team meeting, team co-working day. But we got together, we went to get coffee, and we were just doing some, kind of, uh, reflection and vision casting, just like we do every single year, and we shared our words. And I just remember we were both a little bit shocked by our own individual words—Mm-hmm.—as well as each other's. Yeah. Like, I was shocked by selecting steadfast as my word, because usually, my words are very, like, bold, embodiment, like, innovate. Um, I, I don't know why I can't think of them. I'm blanking right now. But, they're, like, big, like, powerhouse words. Expand, breakthrough. And so, steadfast, I kept feeling, like, so drawn to that concept. That's usually what happens. People always ask me, like, "Hey, how do you go about selecting your word?" And I think for us, part of it is, like, this spiritual practice. Like, there's prayer involved, but it's also just, like, noticing, what are we feeling drawn to? Like, what is, like, tugging on our heart? And that's why sometimes, to me, like, it can be surprising. It's like, "Ooh, like, that's my word for the year?" You know? I'm not gonna go for a powerhouse word this year. So, I was surprised by steadfast. When Jordan shared her word, trailblaze, I was shocked as well, because that is such a powerhouse word.
Yeah, and I—it's so funny, 'cause, like, we are kind of opposites. Like, your words have always been very, like, big and, like, just, like, go-getter kind of words, but in the past few years, before now, my words were always, like, very pretty and nice-sounding words. You know, it was like bloom one year. I think flourish maybe was another one. I can't remember. Evergreen? I don't think evergreen was a word. I think it was, like, rebirth was one—Mm-hmm.—one year, and green was kind of my color for that year, which was, like, I don't know why I picked a color, but I felt really drawn to green at that time, and also kind of went with rebirth and whatever. But I was doing this, like, research, kind of, on my own. I was already thinking about it, and I was like, "What is my word gonna be?" Like, "I have no idea what I even feel, like, needs to be my word." And through some of my, like, researching—I mean, I was just looking through, like, different lists of words. I was looking up different—I don't even know, like, how I came across the word trailblaze, but as soon as I saw it, it was like a gut feeling that I was like, "Oh, this is my word." And I was, like, kind of scared by it, 'cause I was like, "I've never had a word be so, like, action-oriented and so, like, intense." And I was like, "Aah!" I was scared by it, but that was part of the reason why I felt like it was right, 'cause I was like—Mm-hmm.—"I wouldn't pick this word." Like, if I really didn't wanna pick this word, I didn't have to, but I was like, "This feels right, so I'm just gonna, like, go with that." And that's how it happened.
Yeah. I feel like you just experience and feel, like, this alignment. Mm-hmm. Even though sometimes the word can scare you or it can be surprising, you just somehow know that, like, this is it. Like, "This is what I am feeling called to over this next year." And it is always so comical, like, how these words play out—Mm-hmm.—in your life and, like, in the business. So, for me, when I was originally thinking steadfast a—and I was feeling so drawn to that word, I was thinking, "Okay, I'm going to need to really just, like, keep pushing the pedal to the metal on what we're doing. I thought it meant we're not gonna add necessarily new things into the mix this year, but we're just gonna stay the course. We're gonna stay the course with the things that we're doing, and, like, that's going to be fulfilling and rewarding and amazing. And, like, yes, I think that that's one interpretation of steadfast, but I swear on my life, every single year, it, like, always happens to where the word never plays out—Yeah.—the way that you think it will. Yeah. 'Cause you have your idea of what it, what it's gonna look like, but, y—you don't know what's gonna happen, and you don't know how that's gonna play out, and it's always different than what you think it's going to be.
Absolutely. Yeah. I remember the year I chose the word breakthrough as my word for the year. Oh, God. I was like, "Yeah, we're gonna experience breakthrough. It's gonna be magical and I'm gonna be on that freaking mountaintop—" "and I'm gonna have my hands in the air. It's gonna be amazing." And then, for, like, 8 months of that year, it was crap. Mm-hmm. It was so hard. And, like, when I look back, I always use this metaphor. I'm like, "Literally, in order to experience that breakthrough, to get to that side where it's, like, so rewarding, you literally, if you envision a flower, it has to break through, like, bust through the dirt before it can rise up and bloom." And, like, that was my experience with breakthrough. Well, steadfast was no different. Who's surprised? So, I will just, like, forewarn you. If you do this practice, like, just beware. Like—beware.—no one knows what's gonna happen, but it's gonna be good.
So, steadfast, really what that looked like this year was—picture in my mind of me, like, on a boat, but it's, like, pouring and storming, and, like, the boat's rocking from side to side. And I'm just, like, holding on to the side of the boat, trying not to fall off. But really, it was like, "Okay, I've got to, like, lead and steer this ship and I have to stay the course." And we've got to, like, no matter how bad the storm gets and no matter how painful it is, like, I have to stay the course and I have to keep my head down. I have to stay focused. And it was hard. Like, this year was so hard. And for the first, like, I would say the first 6 months to 7 months of this year, like, I was going through some stuff behind the scenes, and it was, like, really painful and really hard. And steadfast was, like, that was the word, the theme that kept me going. I was like, "Okay, even though this is hard, like, I have to get up and I have to keep moving." And yes, I had to pace myself, and yes, I needed breaks, but it was so much harder, I think, than I thought it—
Man, that is so true. I felt like you were just having to be steady throughout, like, a storm. Mm-hmm. Like, in personal side of things, but also, I think, you know, with some of the business stuff, I felt like I was just like, "Let's do this and let's do this." And you were just like, "Okay." Like, you were, like, steady throughout it all. So—and that's not always easy. Mm-mm. Being steady throughout a storm, like a literal storm, that's not easy. Mm-mm. No, and like, I feel like you can feel so alone in that if you just, like, create that image in your mind of like, you know, you're in a storm, you're steering a ship. Like, you're trying to make sure everyone's good and that you're good and that you're moving forward and you're in the right direction. Like, it's really, like, lonely. And I felt like I felt that a lot this year, too. So yeah, it was really tough, but I feel like for me, at least, once I got over the hump of, like, the first 6 to 7 months of this year, I really started to, like, shift gears. And I won't get ahead of myself, but I just think 2024 is gonna be really powerful because of that and because of what I had to go through this year. And, you know, maybe I'll shed a little more light on that here in a moment. But I wanna talk about how complementary your word was, and it just was so beautiful how it worked out, because, you know, even at the start, we knew our words—Mm-hmm.—were, like, opposites and that they would be a beautiful complement—Yeah.—to one another, but I don't think I knew, like, how much I would need Jordan's, like, trailblazing energy this year, because I didn't know how hard this year was gonna be for me. And so, Jordan, like, she has just been on fire this year. And I think that you, like, watching or listening to this, like, you can see that and you can feel that, because Jordan, you've, like, come to the front, like, in so many different ways this year, and like, you come into your own in so many ways. But man, you guys, like, I can't tell you how much I needed—Mm-hmm.—you to, like, be operating in that energy, and for that to be, like, your call this year, because I didn't have it for, like, months and months. Like, there were days where I'd wake up and I was like, "I just wanna go back to sleep." Like, I, I don't feel, like, any compulsion to get up and do anything. And you're not really, like, wired like that. I feel like you're more so wired, like, let's get up and let's go. Like, for the most part, you're like, you know, "Let's just do it. Let's get to work," like every day. But yeah, I feel like it just worked out so beautifully. Like, we didn't—we—you can't plan this. Mm-mm. You cannot plan this, because I—you had no idea that, like, what steadfast would mean for you, and you also had no idea that, like, you would need my sort of, like, trailblazing energy, and I didn't know that, like, how that would work out so well together. But yeah, I mean, going into the year, I thought trailblaze for me, like, initially, I thought it was gonna be me, like, carving out, like, a new path for myself, 'cause I really—one of my big goals for the year was to write more, and I started—you know, I shared a couple, like, little pieces that I put together on my Instagram, and then, like, totally fell off with that, totally did not take it seriously. Hopefully in, in 2024, I can really, like, get on that, 'cause I, I love writing, but, um, yeah, going into the new year, I was like, "Trailblaze," like, that means, like, I'm carving out, like, my new path. I'm gonna be doing something on my own. I'm gonna start writing and, like, it could be, like, a blog kinda thing. Like, I just felt like that was the vibe. Like, I felt like that's w—that's where I was going. But then it started to shift, I feel like, around February actually, which is pretty early into the year. I just started to realize that, like, maybe it was more so about work stuff and in my work life, because February—I mean, I might've been thinking about this in January, but I know for a fact that February was when I was like, "We need to do a podcast." I had written—like, I found these, like, old Google Docs that I, I write down my whole brain dump of, like, why I think this is a good idea, why we need to change from, like, vlog format on YouTube to a video podcast, and how we can repurpose it. And I put together this whole, like, pitch for that, and sent it to you because I was like, "I feel so confident in this decision that we need to do this and it needs to happen right now. We don't need to wait." Because we had thought about—we had talked about doing a podcast eventually. You had for sure thought about it, and was like, "Yeah, that'll be something we do at some point." But I was like, "No, we need to do it now." And I remember feeling, like, not pushback from you in a way that was like, "No, we don't need to do this," but more so, like, you were hesitant. And I was like—I literally have, like, a, a whole Google Doc of all the points of, like, why this is a good idea, but I also saw this section where it was like, "If you wanna stick with vlog format and we wanna do that, this is what we need to do differently with vlogs." Like, I had—I had everything mapped out, and I've—if anyone of y'all know me, that are listening, like, I've never really been this sort—I feel like I've never been this sort of, like, personality. Like, I—I've always been, like, very creative and, like, you know, airy, whimsical. Like, that's my vibe. But I was just like, "We need to do this." Like, "It needs to happen. We need to get on this podcast. We need to start doing it." And we don't even—like, we hadn't figured everything out yet, but I was like, "This is happening." Like, "Let's freaking do it." We started the podcast—I think we launched it in April. Mm-hmm. And I was just, like, so confident that was, you know, the right move, and I was like, "Let's freaking do it." And it just worked out so perfectly, specifically in that scenario, because—I don't know. You were like—you had your own little doubts about, like, "Maybe we shouldn't do this yet," or, like, "I don't know. I really love vlog formats, so I, I just don't know about it." But I was just like—oh, yeah. I was like, "Let's go." Like, hammer. Like, I was just a freaking hammer. "Let's freaking go." That's just Jordan's mantra from this year. "Let's freaking go."
Yeah, and I mean, the podcast was probably one of the biggest and, like, one of the first things that I think you took initiative on to pitch—Mm-hmm.—to me. Um, you know, I think that you take initiative in your role, and you always have, but in terms of pitching something new that you felt an urgency for, the podcast was really the first thing. Yeah. Um, and it has ended up being the best decision for us, and there's so many reasons for that. We're really excited about season two and what's to come. Mm-hmm. Um, but you know, that energy kind of, like, trickled into so many other things. Um, our brand, our messaging, how we were showing up online—Mm-hmm.—what we were measuring from, like, a data perspective, and, like, making informed decisions and next steps with our marketing. Like, these are all things that you took initiative on—Yeah.—that usually I would be on top of, but, like, there was a time span this year where I just didn't have the mental energy, and I definitely didn't have the inspiration and the motivation. Not that I usually build my business off of that, but like you said, I'm usually wired to be really, um, energetic and, and a go-getter, and inspired by what we're doing. Mm-hmm. But there was just a time frame this year where I didn't have that, and so you jumping into that role to take that initiative, and to, like, see the vision, and to, like, carve these new paths for us, like, it was so invaluable, and like, I don't know where I would be—Yeah.—without that this year.
Yeah, I remember—I remember feeling like, oh God, like this is kind of like not a good place that we're in right now because—well, not we, but like I remember hearing comments from you that like, you were like, "I just don't wanna do this." Or like when it came to work stuff, like we would be, like just hanging out, like having family time, but you would be talking about work and you were like, "I just don't—I don't have it in me anymore." Like I—or not in general, but just like with certain things. I don't know. You were just like feeling kind of defeated or like, "I just don't care. I just like—I don't have the energy for this." And I was like, "Okay, like I—I have to carry a little bit more weight with this stuff." And I feel like I already was naturally starting to, because—I don't know why, but I just felt that urgency like with the podcast and whatever, but I just—it worked out really perfectly because I didn't know and I didn't anticipate that you would really need that energy from me. I had no idea. But it worked out so well, and I feel like w—our words and our whole, like, energy for the year, like balanced each other out because you just were staying steady and staying the course. And I was like, "Let's freaking go," like carving out different paths and whatever. Yeah. But it just—there was a good balance to it.
Yeah. I think about it, like the best example I can think of is in a marriage, you're gonna go through seasons where like one of you is going through a really rough time and the other has to, like, carry additional weight. And I think that that translates over into teams and how you work together in the work environment. Obviously our relationship is unique 'cause we're sisters and friends, and so I think that you knew a lot of what was going on behind the scenes because of that. Mm-hmm. But I think people listening to this today, they'll be like, "What? Like, I had no idea that you were going through so many things behind the scenes because of the way that we showed up." And the only way that we could do that is mostly because of you and the systems and the workflows and the things that we work to get in place to bring that consistent energy so we can consistently serve for the business. But like—Mm-hmm.—you carried extra weight when I, like, could not. Yeah. You know?
It just happened to work out perfectly like that. I definitely feel like this year I stepped into more responsibility just with my role here. Mm-hmm. Like, and it—and it wasn't like you asked me to do more or something. Like, it was just this natural thing. I started, like, doing more of my own research on things, learning more on my own time, and really digging into strategy, because you've always been very strategic minded and like this organized sort of person when it came to work stuff. And I've always been a bit more, like, sporadic I guess. And I was just like, "You know, I wanna look into strategy. Like, what can we be doing differently?" And I started looking at numbers more, and like I just started naturally doing that 'cause I was like, "There are some changes that I wanna make and, like, I need to figure out how we need to get there," you know? Mm-hmm.
So, yeah.
Yeah. I remember, like when I—specifically with the podcast, I remember when I pitched that to you and I was so freaking confident in that decision. I had done my research and I was just like, "This is the best path forward for this." Like, we'll be able to get really good, um, like video content and we'll be able to be on podcast platforms, like we'll be able to repurpose and all of that jazz. And eventually down the line, I mean maybe in like Q2 or Q3 or something, I don't really know, maybe mid-point of the year, I was like starting to feel really doubtful 'cause I was like, "Like what if this doesn't work out the way I thought it would?" I was like, "I rallied for this so hard. I was pitching this to Ashton. What if it, like, just totally tanks and, like, is the worst decision I ever made?" And I started having thoughts like that and I was like—'cause at—once I was so confident in the decision, and then eventually I was like, my God. Like, I was the one who made this decision. Or like, we definitely, like, worked through some things together, but I was the one that came to you and was like, "This needs to be a thing. We need to do the podcast. Da-da-da-da-da. This is why." And I was like, "What if it doesn't work out? What if I made, like, the wrong decision?" And I started kind of freaking out. I didn't, like, talk to you too much about that, but there were definitely moments where I felt like I talked—Mm-hmm.—and was just like, kind of just nervous and, like, doubtful. And I just remember you being so, like, steadfast. I don't know. Mm-hmm. So you were, like, just kind of trusting me. You were like, "Yeah, this is, this is a good decision and we're, like, doing this." And even if, for some reason, like the podcast is the worst decision we ever made, we'll be redirected to, like, where we need to be. You know what I mean? And just keeping that positive energy for me when I was feeling doubtful and I was having my, my own stuff, so. Yeah.
I feel like that is how you know that you are doing something right, when you experience that, like, vulnerability and fear of the creator. Like, you are the creator and the artist and the strategist. You are taking the leap, you're betting on yourself, your ideas, what you're feeling compelled to do to create something and bring it to life. And then you have other people that are also betting on it as well, and you can feel the pressure of that. It is a vulnerable place to be in. I talk about this all the time with our clients who are in the process of creating something, whether that is a new platform, it's a brand, it's an offer, there is this vulnerability that you feel. Mm-hmm. And this pressure that you feel because if you have passion tied to what you're building, like, you wanna see it succeed. Mm-hmm. And you wanna see people enjoy it. And I think you experienced that so many times this year because you put yourself out there in a lot of different ways, and like, that can be so uncomfortable. Yeah.
And even tacking onto that, I had moments as well where I was just starting to doubt, to doubt my own abilities as well. It wasn't just like doubting my decisions with like the podcast and stuff like that but with like my graphics, for instance. I was just starting to compare my work to other people's, which I feel like for a long while I didn't really do that. Like I would look to people more so for inspiration and just be like, "Man, their stuff's really good." But I started to get to this place where I was like, "I feel like I suck. Like, I am not doing well enough. Like, I'm not doing a good enough job. I—like, this person over here is just like, I love their stuff. Why can't I create something like that?" You know? I started getting really like that as well, just very in my head and just starting to doubt myself and my abilities. And I'm like, also just trying to remind myself that I'm on a journey. Like, this isn't just eventually I'm gonna be like the best graphic designer ever or I'm gonna be the best artist ever. It's like everyone's on their own journey and I've just been trying to remind myself of that, especially within like maybe the past couple months at this point. 'Cause there was like one point in time I just started going really downhill and starting to think really, like, negatively about certain things and just feeling like, man—Mm-hmm.—I'm like not doing good enough or I'm like, you know, I could be so much better than I am and like why is this person so good and I'm not? And yeah, it was just all this, like, doubt and—Mm-hmm.—I was just like, "What is this?" Mm-hmm.
But I felt like you were really constant, a constant support. Not only are we sisters but y—we work together and even on like some of our meetings or whatever, m—our weekly meetings, I would just be like, "No." Like I would rant about some things and, and just be like, "I s—I suck," or like, "I just feel like I could be so much better." And you were just like, "Jordan, like, you're good. Like, you're doing a great job." Just being so, like, supportive and like calming my mind down instead of me, like, spiraling out of control about it. Mm-hmm. So, yeah.
I feel like we were able to ebb and flow back and forth so well throughout this year because I think we both had our own moments of doubt and wondering and questioning. And I think, like for me it was less about the creative work and it was more about, like, just doubting me. Mm-hmm. And my abilities as a leader and where we're going and what we're doing. And I think a lot of what I went through behind the scenes, a lot of that began in 2022. And I think that in 2022 it was like our best year in business. It was amazing and so much was happening. But once I got to 2023 it's like this switch flipped and I really started to realize that my motivations were so off. Mm-hmm. And I was operating so much from ego. Like, ego was driving me in so many different ways and I realized that I was pursuing things and following things and doing things and listening to people that I shouldn't be giving a place for in my life. I had to release, like, toxic relationships from my life that had like completely taken over. And I just felt completely burnt out and I was questioning myself. I was like, "How did you put yourself in this position?" And I kind of had to go through this process of like shedding and releasing, reprioritizing, getting realigned. Like, what am I here to do? And like who am I gonna let into, into my circles, into my life, you know, into my business, into my home, into my energy? And what am I focused on? What am I doing and what am I building? So it was kind of, it felt like this, like life crisis moment almost where I was just questioning everything and I was so—there was so much, like guilt and shame that I felt for like putting myself in this position to where I felt like I'd gotten so off track. But when I look back at this year and when I'm like in my prayer time, I just have like so m—I have nothing but gratitude for this year because—if I didn't reset that, if I didn't let go of those things, if I didn't move forward in the right direction on the right path, then I would be way further behind, you know? It's like, the more that we grow and the more that we create and build and do, I have to be in the right space, like mentally, emotionally, spiritually. It's, like, the ultimate responsibility of a leader. Like, you have to be in a, uh, you have to take care of you and you have to be in a good place. You have to, you have to know where you're going and you have to know that you're leading people. Whether that's your team or that's your community, like, you're showing up for others. And it's not to say that you need to be perfect by any means, but it is a responsibility, and I really believe that the success of any company, like, that is created by the person at the top. Like, the culture is created from the top, and even though, like, I couldn't do what I do without you, the way that I lead and the way that I show up and what my motivations are, they absolutely matter for, like, the long-term trajectory of our company and the way that people feel when they experience our business. And so, I was going through a lot of things internally, relationally, and I just felt like, internally, I was crumbling, and I had to have some time to reset and to let go and to, like, find my confidence and find my power again. I felt like I'd reached this place where I just felt powerless, and there's a lot of layers there that maybe will shine through in season 2, but I had to, like, come back into my own and remember who I am and remember why I'm here and what I'm doing.
So that was kind of my biggest thing. And I feel like it's been so incredible to see it from the outside looking in, because there was, like, quite a w—a good amount of time towards the start of this year, like the first half or whatever, where you were, like, was not 100% yourself and I could see that, and I was just like, you know, it j—it just requires a process and it takes time sometimes to, like, work through some things, let go of some things, and, and also get back to you and all of that. But now I feel like you've gotten more towards the other side, where I just feel like you've connected so much more with yourself again, and, like, I even think moving to this new house has been such a good thing for you. Like, you're surrounded by trees and you've always wanted trees, and you have deer here that you, like, feed in the backyard, and, like, I just feel like you've, you're finding so much joy again in, like, in just your life, and it's just so good to see. I love it.
Aw. I know, like, you've seen me go through the worst of it, dude, the ringer—Mm-hmm.—and it did feel, like, very symbolic when we moved to this new house in May. It felt like a crossing over. It felt like a new chapter. It felt like releasing things that weren't good for me. It felt like resetting and realigning and just finding myself again, and finding joy again, and finding peace in a way that I haven't felt in a while. Mm-hmm. So, I think, you know, when I look at and I reflect on my biggest takeaways from this year, one of the first things that comes to my mind is that what really makes a leader isn't how they show up when things are good and fun and amazing, but it's how they show up when things get really hard. Like, that's where you see what you're made of, you know? Mm-hmm. That's where you see who you really are, and man, that sounds exciting. Mm-hmm. It sounds so, like, that's great, but when you're actually living it out, it's really hard, and you know, as a leader, you feel a lot of responsibility to your call and your mission and your vision, but to your people, whether it is your team or it is your community or your clients, like, other people are, like, betting on you and believing in you, and you have to have that belief in yourself. There were moments throughout this year where, like, I had to find some level of, like, optimism and, like, I had to exercise my faith. That was probably one of the biggest themes of this year for me. It was like, "I have to have faith in that which I cannot see." "I don't see the way forward now, but I know that clarity will come. I don't see how I'm possibly gonna get over this or through this thing, but I know that, like, I was made for this, and I know that, like, I am here in divine timing and, like, it is all gonna happen for me." And it's showing up every day. And like, for me, especially when we moved to this new house, like, it just became ritual and routine. Like, I'll wake up in the morning, I'll do my workout, and then I just kind of, like, walk around outside, like, enjoying the trees and feeling like I'm in—I'm a fairy in the forest, and I'm just praying and I'm declaring. In some moments or some mornings, I'm just complaining, and then I shift my posture, and then I declare what I believe and what I know and what I'm claiming. And, like, that has been a healing practice for me, and I feel like it's been crucial for my development as a leader as well. Mm-hmm.
Yeah. Another big thing that I'm taking away from this year is, just because things are hard, it doesn't mean that you're in the wrong place or it's wrong timing. I think that sometimes we can see things that are hard as a sign that, like, they aren't meant for us or we're in the wrong place, you know, we're doing something wrong. But sometimes, like, the book The Obstacle is the Way, I think, by Ryan Holiday, like, it's the truth. Like, the obstacle, that which is hard, that which is tough, like, it is the path forward because it is the thing that is strengthening you, it's building you, it's increasing your resilience, and you need that for where you're going. Like, I believe in my gut and my bones that, like, where we're going is going to demand something new from me and from you. Mm-hmm. Just as every new season does. And, like, this year and this season of life was so necessary. Even though it was so hard at times and so painful, it was so necessary because that is what's going to carry us through the next season. Mm-hmm.
Yeah, it's like all the things that you're going through right now or that you've been through, it, like, leads you to the next thing and it—it helps you grow. That's such a big thing that we've been talking about so much this year. But through all of the obstacles that you face, you grow stronger and you also can grow in your skills. You know, I feel like I've grown in my skills with work stuff, but like, the tough moments are what really helps you get to where you need to go, like the next phase, you know? Mm-hmm. We don't wanna hear that 'cause we just wanna have the fun, exciting, amazing, victorious moments, but, like, you don't get there without some hardship. Mm-hmm. And I don't care what anyone has to say about it, that's just wh—what I believe. Like, you can't get to the mountaintop without hardship, without climbing, without falling or scraping your knee, or, uh, running out of breath or sweating, right? Mm-hmm. And the same is true for business.
And I think one of the biggest, if not the biggest takeaway for both of us this year is that developing you is the true key to success. Yeah. Mind blown. I feel like that's something we've harped on quite a bit this year, but it's just so true. It's like, developing yourself is the most important thing, and that—uh, we talked about it, I think, in our episode "10,000 Hours." Building your skillsets, like, skill—having skillsets, for example, that's more important than, like, having, uh, e—x amount of businesses or whatever because, like, your businesses might not always last but your skills take you from, to and from the next thing. Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I just feel like our space is so saturated with more and more information on trends and strategies and tactics. And don't get me wrong, there's a place for those things. I teach those things. I love—I love strategizing with clients, I really do. But at the end of the day, like, the thing that gets you to the place that you wanna be, it's you. And like, developing you, AKA growing in your skillsets or growing as a leader, focusing on you, building you, building your creative muscles, whatever it is. Like, those are the things that carry you forward. Those are the things that sustain you. Those are the things that really matter, and I feel like we've talked so much this year through the podcast about the fact that you are literally the differentiator. You are the force, you are the answer, you are the power, and when you learn how to show up in the fullness of who you are, that feeling that you create and you evoke in others, it is unmatched. Like, a woman that shows up fully as herself in her power with nothing holding her back, like, there is something so, um, infectious about that, something so, uh, freeing, liberating about that. And I think that element is going to really shine through our company next year. But you are the key. Like, you are the thing, and so developing you in whatever shape or form that you want, like, that's always gonna be the most important thing above all else. Mm-hmm.
Boom.
Yeah, a few of my takeaways, I mean, I feel like that was a really big takeaway for the both of us, like developing you is the most important thing, you know. But I was thinking about, like, some of my personal takeaways from this year, and, like, some of what I've learned or whatnot. One of my biggest takeaways, and it's such a cliche, but it's, like, trust yourself. 'Cause like I had talked about earlier, it was like I started to feel doubtful about certain things, like doubtful of my abilities, doubtful of my decisions and my choices and my, you know—you know, pitching the podcast and all that. I was, like, definitely doubting myself at certain times. And I do remember you being, like, just so trusting in me. There were so many times where I was like, "I don't know about this," or, like, "Mmm," I just felt doubtful and you were like, "No, like, this is good. Like, let's go with this." And you just trusted me, and I literally saw that and I was like, "Well, if she trusts me, then I should, like, just trust myself and trust my instincts and—and my intuition and, you know, those gut instincts and everything." But yeah, that was, like, a really big thing for me. And I feel like my takeaways kind of, like, build on each other 'cause it was like number one is trust yourself, and then number two is, like, things take time. Again, such a cliche, but that's something that has been so important for me to remind myself of. Like, I felt like, for example, with the podcast, I was, like, pitching it in February of this year. I was like, "This is gonna be the best thing ever." And I felt like by the end of this year, we were gonna be, like, cra—like, in such a different place with the podcast. I thought it was gonna be, like, massive growth and, like, tons of followers and tons of this. And my focus was so off, first off. I was looking at all the wrong things and really focusing on, like, the numbers too much at—in the beginning. But, you know, I was like, "It's only been since February since we started this podcast." And I was just thinking about that in general with anything that we do in business, it requires a process and it takes time, and through all of that, you are developing you. You know, you're developing yourself and your skills and everything. And I feel like we're meant to be here right now, like, where we're at on our journey. Like, if we were further along in our journey, maybe we wouldn't be able to handle it if we were too far al—for—too far down the line. Um, like we said, your past experiences and the things that you've been through and the things that you've overcome, like that—all of that stuff just makes you stronger, and it also just builds you. And I feel like I've just been really trying to accept that things take time. I—I'm, like, trying not to get too ahead of myself with—with certain things. And, like, with the podcast for instance, I'm like, you know, I feel good about where we're at right now with that. I'm trying to just, like, be, um—I'm trying to put in my best effort with everything that I do and—and make excellent work. I mean, that's just what I'm always striving for, but I'm like, you know, it requires a process, and it's not gonna happen overnight. And some things don't even come to fruition within one year. 365 days is—I mean, y—I feel like if you don't understand it yet, time goes by so fast. And like, one year is, like, a blip in time really, and I do feel like I'm trying to trust myself in this process, in the fact that all of this stuff is taking time because I think over the next, like, 5 to 10 years, like, we will see a lot of things come to fruition that we're hoping and dreaming for, but I just have to, like, trust myself and trust the process and just accept the fact that it's going to take more time than I think it probably should. Um—always. Yeah, for real.
And then the last one kind of, like, builds on top of that, but one big takeaway is just everything will work out the way that it's meant to. And all of my takeaways are, I feel like, such cliches. No, they're good. But yeah, I mean, I—I felt like that's something that's been really important to remind myself is, like, even if you make a quote unquote "wrong" move or you, like, go in the wrong direction, I do really feel like you will be redirected back to where you need to be. And, like, specifically with work stuff, I was just thinking about, like, what if the podcast was, like, a bad decision or I made the wrong choice with this? Oh, well. Like, throughout this whole process of podcasting, we've learned a lot about podcasting. We've, like, had really great conversations and I do feel like the podcast has been really good. Like, I feel like people have been enjoying it. But, like, even if it was the wrong move, we would eventually be redirected to where we need to be. And also, throughout this whole experience, we've learned a lot. Mm-hmm. And that's the whole point. Developing you, learning new things, and trying new things. Like, not letting fear hold you back from just trying something new and different. And yeah, so I feel like my—all of mine, like, build upon each other 'cause it's like—Mm-hmm.—first you have to trust yourself and then you have to just trust the process and accept that things take time. But at the end of the day, I really do feel like everything will work out the way it's meant to. But, like, sometimes it's hard for me to remember that, that, like, things will work out the way that it's meant to and we will be where we need to be when we need to be there. Mm-hmm. You know?
Yeah. We've talked about that on the podcast before too. It's like, I really just don't think that you can make a wrong move or a bad move. The things that you can look back on and think, "That was horrible," I just believe that it has a place in your journey. It's all gonna work out for good. Like, it is meant for your good. And even the things that were, like, the worst—I look back at my journey, I look back at, like, 2019 when I lost $20,000 and I thought it was the end of the world, but that was really the start of my career. Mm-hmm. You know, I look back at this year, one of the most painful things I went through. I don't see exactly how that's gonna work in my favor yet, but I know that it will and I know that everything's just making me stronger. And so, you know, we have to, like, hold back on the overthinking that we do because that puts us in a place where we're just in our heads and we aren't taking action. Yeah. And so I think that's a really good takeaway. I think trusting yourself—L—there is a reason why things are cliches, because there's a lot of, like, power to them, by the way. But trusting yourself is so important, especially in business, especially when you're surrounded by so much noise. And I feel like you've done that, like every step this year.
Yeah, I've been trying to. And I do feel like it is kind of, like, a practice. Like, I was thinking about it on the way here actually, when I was driving here. I was like, "I don't feel like I will ever, 100% just always trust myself and my decisions and everything." Doubt can creep in at any point of your journey. But I do think it's something that I'm, I'm just trying to practice more and, like, going into the new year, I'm, like, just trusting that we're gonna make the right moves and, like, you know, we've got it. So just trying to, like, keep that optimism because it's not always easy to be optimistic. And this year has definitely tested you in a lot of ways and it's tested me in some different ways. But I do feel like we've both experienced our fair share of, like, doubt in different ways. But now we're getting towards the end of the year and it's like, "What was that all about?" Like, "Let's not doubt ourselves any—let's just trust ourselves. Like, we got this." You know?
What was that all about? Like, yes. That needs to be a part of our daily ab—"What is that about?" That's a part of the daily ritual and affirmations. Like, what in the world? No, it's so, so true. And I feel like this is just the most beautiful way that we can bring closure to season one of The Legacy Creator podcast. We just wanna say thank you so much for being on this ride with us. You know, we feel like we just kinda threw ourselves into, like, deep water—Mm-hmm.—and we tried to figure it out every step of the way. We still have the same setup in here. We've got pillows dispersed to help with the sound. So hopefully we'll improve that for season 2. But, you know, we just wanna say thank you for being here and for sharing and for listening and for downloading and leaving reviews. Like, it really has meant so, so much. And, um, I just believe that 2024, there is, like, something special on it. Like, for every single one of us, for those of you listening. And I just encourage you to, like, give yourself some space to reflect on your year, to think about, like, "What did I learn? How did I grow? Like, what were my biggest takeaways?" I think this is always an important practice. We're so quick to jump to the next thing, like, "What is next?" But really take some time because all of this that we've talked through today, I know it's going to inform our next steps and how we show up for you guys. And I just believe that next year is gonna be expansive. There's gonna be growth, there's gonna be alignment. There's gonna be, like, creative initiatives and endeavors like never before. I feel like people are really gonna come into their power. So many good things coming and we've got a lot of thoughts and ideas for season 2. But if you do have requests, anything that you'd love for us to speak on and, and talk about and, and shed some light on, let us know. Um, and if you have enjoyed season one, any episode, if you could share on Instagram, tag us @myawakeningco, we would so appreciate it. And—and here's to more in 2024. All right, guys. We will catch you later. Bye. Bye.
