Jacqui’s Diary

This year was very difficult for me, and a lot of others have said the same. But it was also very rewarding, because through the difficulties, I believe that I have learnt and grown noticeably. And the change will be lasting.

I’ve done a lot of business learning and personal development since becoming a business owner 6 years ago, but after this year, I feel like a lot of what I had been learning had not been deep. I had intellectually understood what I was learning previously, but it had not hit me and gotten lodged deep within my core to become part of me. This year, it has.

I bought another law firm in February 2018, and merged it into my existing practice. I had learnt a lot about what I do and don’t want. I have learnt a lot about staff, and managing a cultural environment that I want to create. I have learnt to cut dead wood. I have learnt that some people cannot grow and live up to my expectations; and that it’s okay to let them go too. It certainly wasn’t without its difficulties, particularly emotional.

As well as learning more about myself as a leader, I have also started getting big goals again. This came as a result of the REACH retreat in October, and the ripple effects from that week are already far-reaching.

The REACH retreat cemented a lot of what I had been learning about mindset, and has given me a level of awareness and self-control that I have never had. I am conscious and in control of much more than I ever thought I could be. I am a creator, and I am now focused on creating the next stage of my life.

Part of this has been learning the power of clarity. Without clear goals, I was running down the wrong paths. Now that I know what I want, I can assess opportunities that come my way in context of those goals, and take on the one that will progress me instead of taking me on a tangent.

2018 also saw me get my health and fitness back on track. For a few months in the middle of the year, I was working 14-hour days, and eating McDonalds 3 times per week! So I had to consciously undo that. I got myself onto Lite ‘n’ Easy for the last 6 months of 2018, and it has recalibrated me. I feel much more proud of myself for eating well.

I also added weight work back into my day, with a weight session on a Wednesday night each week. This inspired me enough to sign up for Spartan Race in November. I haven’t done an obstacle course race for 3 years, and I did it! It felt great.

Finally, I added reading fiction back into my mental diet this year as well, and I am so grateful for it!

I now feel that I am not going around in circles anymore. I have laid really solid foundations which will set me up for a great couple of years ahead.

I end 2018 very happy.