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10 Lessons I Learned In 2016 That Will Change Your Life in 2017 : : You’ll Want To Grab A Pen & Paper!

2016 was a crazy, exhausting, exciting, and monumental year for me. I launched this here site and blog. I created a line of tote bags made in Guatemala. I began partnering with some AMAZING humanitarian organizations. And…I learned a TON!!

If you’re thinking of starting something new in 2017, especially if you’re planning to take a huge leap of faith, let me share with you some tidbits I learned and hopefully help you to truly embrace your new adventure. Here goes!


Take risks 

Send an email to that person you’d like to partner with. Hand someone that product you’re wanting to launch and ask for their feedback. Don’t let fear keep you from possibly experiencing your greatest achievement or failure. Yes, even in failure you will succeed. When I say this I’m preaching to myself. I have to tell myself constantly to not be afraid of failure, but to be afraid of never trying.

Keep going

Allow yourself to grow and blossom in whatever avenue your heading down. If you’re new to Instagram, don’t worry if your photos are blurry and uninspiring. Allow yourself room to grow and get better. It’s pretty much impossible to start anything as expert. You have to begin somewhere and you’ll fine-tune your craft along the way. You’ll also learn what you truly love and what your style in doing that thing is. It’s also really unauthentic to see someone start a blog or social media account that looks absolutely perfect. There’s no room to grown and connect with your audience. Don’t be afraid to let people see you get better.

Take breaks

It doesn’t mean you’re done, you’re simply making time for things that need your 100% focus and attention. I do this every so often (planned and unplanned), based on the needs of the people and projects in my life. I learned this year to not worry that I’ll become obsolete by taking intermissions in certain areas. I recently did that here on the blog. I realized that with the holiday season approaching and my hudbans traveling a lot for work, I wouldn’t be able to properly manage all the things that truly mattered to me, while also providing you all with great content…so I took a break. I’m even considering breaking the blog up into seasons, that way there are dedicated breaks throughout the year.

p.s. While on break, don’t feel as though you must take photos and post everything to prove your still “doing stuff”. It’s your freakin’ life. If people cant respect that you’re a person and not a machine, they aren’t your kind of people anyway.

Stay inspired

Recognize early on what fills you up, and then create space to do them without limit. If heading to the beach or lounging at a coffee shop and people watching fills you up, then you MUST create time to do this. You may even need to stop in your tracks at times and do it. That way you constantly stay inspired and fueled to create and deliver content, products, or love that truly overflows from your own passion.

Forget what others think, say, or do

Don’t let others spew their insecurities onto you. You will meet people who smile in your face, say they believe in your mission or venture, but then never back their words up with action. Let. it. go. But then don’t trust them later on to follow through with what they promised months ago, now that they see your growth.

Laugh without being ashamed

You have the right to be happy. As your adventure grows and succeeds, feel free to celebrate it without being ashamed. Toast to the little wins. And post it! Don’t worry that people will think your bragging. Yes, you are. And you deserve it. Those who’ve ever started something will be happy for you. They’ll understand how hard it is to put yourself out there and that every win deserves some bubbly.

Keep some things private

You don’t have to share everything! Make no excuses for having a private life. If your product, platform, etc. is about fashion don’t feel like you have to take about what everyone in your house is wearing, what religion you are, and what your favorite restaurant is, unless YOU WANT TO. You set the boundaries and make others abide by them.

Let people doubt and underestimate you

You have the unique opportunity to prove them wrong and blow them away. I love being underestimated. I love for people to snicker when they hear an idea or see me coming with some big lofty concept. I know that it may take time and adjustments to make it all happen, but when it does, it will be amazing! Believe in yourself, have a close tribe of people who believe in you too, and forget about everyone else.

Be kind to everyone and be thankful for every opportunity

Always be kind. Even when others are rude, take the high road. Be direct when you need to be. If you’re working with local businesses, partnering with organizations, or simply looking to collaborate with someone else, always treat others with love and kindness. Make people want to come back and work with you over and over again.

Trust in the journey and don’t try and plan every element

Allow some things to just take place organically. This was a big one for me. I’m a planner and coordinator. I like to MAKE things happen. But if I’ve learned anything this year, it’s been to just let most things happen on their own.

 

What lessons did you learn in 2016? Reply in the comments below. I always reply!

If you haven’t already, Join #AGlobalTribeOfWomen by signing up for the newsletter.


Anjelica Malone Blogger Lactation Counselor Shoppe owner

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7 Comments

  • Reply
    Joy Silas
    January 3, 2017 at 9:24 am

    Thanks for the post!!! And I read your email about moving to Seattle!!! I’m so excited for you. We are Army, and I want to get stationed at Fort Lewis, in the Tacoma area. My husband and I dream of living there long term. I’m so excited to follow and hear about your journey in Washington!!!! Also, baby #2 is on the way, a while back you wrote me about the breasting feed 101 book and I still owe you an email. I wanted to wait until the time was near my second birth to email and let you know how I will be applying your tips from the book for baby#2! So I’ll be emailing you soon!!! Take Care! Lots of love!

    • Reply
      Anjelica
      January 3, 2017 at 12:43 pm

      Joy! I’m so excited for you!

      I’m curious to see what’s great about the PNW. I’ve heard many good things. That would be exciting if you and your hubby got orders there too! I’d love to hear how you apply the tips from Milk Boss 101 for baby number #2. I’ll be coming out with a more in depth version in April that’s both a journal and guide. I’ll be sure to tell you all about it once it’s complete.

      XO,
      Anjelica

  • Reply
    Kelsey O.
    January 7, 2017 at 3:11 pm

    All about your list lovely!! Especially # 1 & 3. Leaning into risk taking and doing things that continue to inspire and feed my soul. Can’t wait to see where this year takes you and A Global Tribe of Women!

    • Reply
      Anjelica
      January 8, 2017 at 8:54 pm

      Thank you Kelsey!

      I’m so glad you’re along for the ride!! I feel like the New Year is almost like moving to a new city. It’s a chance to start again, no questions asked. I’m praying for the things you have in mind and that you have the courage this year to take risks.

      …Continue to be an inspiration to women!

      XO

    • Reply
      Anjelica
      January 8, 2017 at 9:04 pm

      Kelsey,

      Thank you for sharing this post on Facebook! That means a lot to me!

  • Reply
    Kara
    January 7, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    Hi Anjelica! My friend Kelsey shared this post on FB and I LOVED it. Thank you for sharing the wisdom you’ve picked up along the way! I just started a small floral business, and I cannot tell you how encouraging this post was and how I intend to take ALL of your advice–for living and for running my business! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    • Reply
      Anjelica
      January 8, 2017 at 9:03 pm

      Kara, you are so welcome! Thank you for taking the time to say how this post touched you.

      Congratulations on starting your floral business! What a huge achievement. It’s not easy starting a business no matter how small it is. Where do you live? I’d love to hear how things progress for you throughout 2017.

      XO,
      Anjelica

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