This has been an INCREDIBLE first week back.
Sometimes that first week after the holidays, that “circle-back” period makes me want to move in slowly, not make any sudden moves, give myself some space and grace. Yeah, um, that didn’t happen. In the first week of the new year I’ve sent off four proposals, pitched to three different companies, was invited to speak on a podcast and signed a new client. All this while handling a normal workload and editing our upcoming podcast episodes. Our podcast got a big YES from a guest we were hoping for and the bills are all paid. I mean… WHAT. A. WEEK.
So in this first week alone, here are some lessons I learned:
- Fuel up and get ready to go. Businesses are busy in a big way – and they want to market themselves.
- I need my team at the top of their game (so team, pay attention). They know I’m a master delegator, but I’m counting on them to come through because time is limited and micromanaging is never going to be my thing.
- Companies ended their year well and are looking to get creative with their marketing efforts this year – we are in.
- Time management is everything. Without it, you might as well just close up shop.
- Dogs who don’t get exercised will not let me work.
- This was the final midyear break my daughter will ever have as a student. Though we anticipate she will still get to vacation with us (she will likely have to work remotely, assuming she lands a job as she’ll be the lowest person at whatever company next year) but school is almost done. It’s a shift. It’s weird.
- My son, on the other hand, is finishing up his first midyear break and has learned (as expected) that being home this long is not ideal for him. He hadn’t been here for this long since he graduated last May. He was so bored he ended up driving his sister the shoes she needs for Sorority Rush and left at home up to her at her school. Then he changed his flight to go back a day early. It’s good he loves school. I’ll miss him, but I totally get it. I was the same way.
- “People who make plans have plans,” says my friend, Nina Badzin. I have two groups of friends – one from each child – and it was hard to not see them after each kid graduated. So I’ve appointed myself in charge of planning monthly lunches and dinners with each group. Do I have time to do this? I do not. But I want the events to happen and this way I get to schedule them around my calendar so I never have to have FOMO.
So… first week is off and running. 2026 is going to be amazing. Lots of plans made, several trips scheduled. If I could just get my back to start feeling like it did a few years ago I’d be all set. It’s always something I guess…
by 
