February is usually the month of love, but honestly we should be celebrating love throughout the whole year. I don’t mean the “Oh I love YOU significant other!” kind, I’m talking about self- love. The kind of care you give yourself to help create a balanced life. What better way to celebrate yourself than to indulge in some personal development. Learning is one of those things we tend to forget about after college or outside of formal training and its important to carve out time for education.

That is why this month’s inspirational theme is Discovery.

Each month I’ll be sharing a word to live by, something to carry with you over the next 30-ish days. Last month we worked on Rejuvenation for the new year. Now that it’s February this is the perfect time to learn, explore and discover new insight for your personal and business life.

Learning + Self Discovery

While we are super lucky to have this amazing technology called the internet at our fingertips, it sometimes can start to suck you in. (Be honest, you know it happens to you!) Sitting down to check email for what you hoped would only take five minutes now turns into 2 hours sifting through blogs, Pinterest, Facebook and cool videos. The internet is a great tool to help us discover, but it can also suck away your precious time. To help you focus, set up a timer on your desktop or mobile phone to limit your play time.

Here are a few other great ways to learn, find new inspiration and discover:

• Read
  Duh. Those things with actual pages can be a nice break from screens. I recently started a virtual book club for this very reason. My brain just feels better after reading- right?
• Enroll in an online e-course
  There are so many awesome courses if I could just take 2 weeks out of my life and spend all the money in the world that I DON’T have, it would be on learning through online courses. Take a class from anyone of these fab ladies (Molly Mahar, Jenny Blake, Leonie Dawson, Marie Forleo, Danielle LaPorte, Laura Roeder or anything from the Alt Summit) and it will be the best investment of your time and energy. Or, check out a local course from SkillShare where you’ll learn from experts in your area for no more than $20. Some courses are even offered online, just in case you can’t meet in real life. Plus, the courses vary in topic from designing your own sneakers to learning how to code your first webpage. Seriously, go check it out.
• Teach
  The best way to learn is to teach others. Trust me. Coming from an adjunct professor, I can honestly say I learn more when I teach than when I have the semester off.
• Host a focus group
  Except, don’t call it a focus group. Call it a brainstorm, fireside chat, coffee connect or something cute and fun. Focus groups are an awesome way to get feedback on an idea and learn from others in a similar space.
• Create an RSS feed reader
  If you don’t know what RSS means, it stands for Real Simple Syndication and basically any website or blog on the planet has a feed. When that site is updated, you get a copy of the newest post or entry dropped into your reader (library of all your RSS feeds.) It’s a cool way to stay updated on news and blogs without having to individually visit them. This saves TONS of time on a Monday morning. I recently unsubscribed from all my newsletters that kept infiltrating my email inbox and now rely on RSS instead. Google makes a reader that connects with your Gmail or Google Plus account.
• Interview your role models
  Create a list of inspirational movers and shakers you want to know. Reach out to them and ask to connect over the phone, Skype or in person. You will be surprised at how many people accept! P.S. Get excited I have a HUGE goal in 2013 to interview 100 awesome women doing things to change the world so stay tuned.
• Go somewhere
  There are literally hundreds of conferences, workshops and special meetups and events for any industry taking place RIGHT NOW. Again, thank the internet and search for your niche and I guarantee you’ll find an event, maybe even a local gathering to attend. Or, better yet use this month to start planning personal development and education for the entire year. Watch for an upcoming post on suggestions of my absolute favorite conferences and events.

So what will you do this month to show yourself some love? A learning opportunity is just around the corner.

It’s a sort of silly tradition in my house that each New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day we go back over the year and talk about our high points and low points. I’m always amazed at how many things I forget- both good and bad!

A lot sure does happen in a year and sometimes it’s hard to remember it all unless you write it down. We go through each day worrying about the little details on our to-do list and never really appreciate the things crossed off a list, or those unplanned accomplishments, until we get it out on paper. When we zoom out and look at the year holistically, its pretty amazing from a 360 degrees point of view.

Looking back on 2012 my life and as a business owner was a very different year than most previous. It was slower and I don’t mean that in a bad way. Oftentimes busyness is equated to success, but we’re all successful in our own ways regardless of how much activity is in our lives.

In 2012  the biggest difference was I didn’t travel as much, drink as much or attend networking events. I spent a lot of time watching life unfold and observing. I tried to maintain a sense of just letting go and taking life day-by-day. It was a quiet year as I prepped to become a first-time mom.

Some high points included:

• Having the cutest little baby boy on the planet
• Teaching 2 more college courses as an adjunct
• Spotting Jared Leto 2 feet from me at SXSW
• Hiring my first two BrandKit employees
• Landing the day job of my dreams
• Launching a small Etsy store and rediscovering my passion for DIY and crafts
• Joining an amazing group of new-Momma entrepreneurs

I’ll be honest and there were some low, low, low points, but everyone has them. It what makes you appreciate all the good in life. Looking back, my word from 2012 was ‘Acceptance’ and even though it was super hard at times, I did the best I could to just accept life one day at a time. I needed that word and looked to it for guidance.

Whats in Store for the next 365 Days

For 2013 my word of the year is: Reconnect. After spending a year stressing over this tiny new person in my life, it’s time to do some self-love and care. My aim is to reconnect with my friends, my sisters and family, my significant other, my passions and my health. I want to take better care of myself in order to be a better mom, partner, friend, sister, employee and business owner.

Some seriously awesome plans are in the works for 2013 already and I know this year will just fly by (from both busyness AND excitement!) To help organize all these fabulous things to come, I created a 2013 Goal Map with the help of a coach and long time friend Molly Mahar of Stratejoy. I encourage you to do the same. I took her Get it Off the Ground course in December and as a result came up with my own Goal Map exercise that I’d like to share.

Creating A Goal Map

Step 1: Make a long list of all the things you want to do, places to go, people to meet and events for the next 12 months. Give them weight and quantify your goals with numbers.
Step 2: Find a blank piece of paper.
Step 3: Put your name in the center of the page. Decorate it and make it stand out. Use color if you want.
Step 4: Divide that paper into 3 sections and label: Life, Business and Family
Step 5: Take your long list and transfer each item to its appropriate section.
Step 6: Draw little checkboxes next to each item
Step 7: Title this Goal Map 2013
Step 8: Hang in a high-traffic area. (Studies have shown when you frequently see your goals and write them down you’re more likely to achieve them.)

And just for fun, here’s a sneak peak at some of what I’m looking forward to in 2013:

• World Domination Summit 2013
  This has been on my goal list for two years and I finally scored a ticket to the 2013 conference! I hope to meet some inspiring people that are changing the world and experience Portland, which I’ve heard is very similar to Austin, TX.
• Destination weddings
  One is in California and I’ve never been! Two trips to the West Coast this year who hooo!
• My sister comes to Austin
  All of our family lives in NY so this is going to be a highlight of my year when my sister moves.

Some of my business goals include:

• Hosting an online book club. I’m on a quest to read four inspirational books in 2013. Want to join me?
• Guest speaking or hosting four workshops on branding, social media or blogging. (I already have 2 on the calendar- how crazy is that?!)
• Hosting six Accountability Circle‘s for female entrepreneurs and bloggers. My Beta group sold out in 3 days and I can’t wait to see who else I meet through these circles. I’m already impressed with the way the first group is helping each other conquer goals.
• Rebranding and developing a new website for BrandKit. This new site will be geared at building a community of female entrepreneurs, bloggers and mompreneurs and include strategies for DIY marketing and branding.
• Earning income from BrandKit.

Whew! That’s a lot, I know. But doesn’t it make you want to create your own Goal Map now?! Even if its not the start of the year and you get off to a late start, make one anyways. Once you’ve finished, share with us!
I want to know, what’s on your 2013 Goal Map?

How many books do you read in a year? Be honest, is it more than you can count on one hand? The answer is most likely, no.
Reading books is a lost art these days, much like hand writing notes.
Let’s change that!

Join me in 2013 and make a pact to read 4 books throughout the year as part of the BrandKit Online Book Club. 

And I don’t mean those Nicholas Sparks books, I’m talking about use-your-brain-I-know-I’m-gonna-learn-something books.

Four books a year, super easy right?
Well, it depends what kind of books and how much time is involved.  (I know, I know we’re all busy.)

In this book club we’ll read two assigned books and two democratically voted choices over the course of one year. Books *may* be about personal development, motivation, productivity, business or entrepreneurship and I hope you’ll join us! This is just a taste of what we’ll be reading on 2013. By signing up you can choose to read all four books or just one- totally up to you.

How It Works

• Sign up to join the group by clicking the button below. Invite anyone you like! You’ll receive more instructions on how to enter the digital forum later.
• Buy or borrow the assigned book(s).
• Start reading the first book on or around February 1. We’ll take about 8 weeks to read the whole book, going at your own speed.
• Discussion questions will be posted in the forum- but not too many, don’t worry! Feel free to leave your loves and hates about the book, share your favorite quotes and more in the forum.
• At the end of the 8 weeks three participants will be chosen at random to join a Google Hangout (think of it like a Skype video chat date) to talk about the book during our celebratory virtual Happy Hour. Bring your own beverage, of course, this is only a digital Happy Hour.

Why Join

You’ll get to read really awesome books! You’ll also get to learn key takeaways and advice for your personal life or business. As part of the online book club you’ll meet new people from all over the country and connect over the themes and topics from the book. PLUS you have the chance to sit in on a virtual Happy Hour. How cool is that? There may be some prizes sprinkled in here or there too.

When We’ll Start

February 1 will be the official start day of the 2013 Book Club. Our first book will be “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. Buy your book, rent it or borrow it. The second book assignment will start at the beginning of April, the third in July and the fourth in October. (More details to come on those book assignments later.)

By adding your name to the club list DOES NOT mean you MUST read all four books, it just means you want to be part of the club. Once you get the invitation to the digital forum and join, that will be your official commitment.

Ready to get reading? Sign up here to join the BrandKit Online Book Club. Time to exercise our minds!

P.S. Again this club is for anyone, not just business owners. Oh and did I mention there will be surprise goodies along the way?

When I sat down to plan my business content for 2013 I immediately thought, “How can I best break up the year?” My yoga practice came to mind, probably because I was in a class trying to clear my head when the idea of themes dawned on me.  When practicing yoga, each sessions revolves around a special phrase or word, while still maintaining an overarching message. It’s those themes that always end up remaining top of mind later. If you think about it, the same can be said for favorite blogs and authors too.

So, for rest of year when you visit this blog at the start of each month you’ll find a new topic or word, something to carry with you over the next 30 days. Now, I’m a little late with January but look for a new theme coming soon in February.

The theme for January is Rejuvenate.

If you like, print the image below, save it to your desktop, or paste it to your vision board. (You have a vision board, right? If not, add that to your to-do list and learn how to make one here.) As a small note, all the photos I plan to use will be my own from everyday life or travel. I have sort of an Instagram obsession.
Keep this image somewhere safe and use it as a reminder: You are a fabulous women entrepreneur and the world can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve!

Have a word suggestion? Let me know!

January 2013: Rejuvenate

Yes, 365 days have already flown by and next year this time we’ll be saying the same thing. It’s a blessing and a curse for us entrepreneurs, particularly if you’re a Type-A or Achiever like me. But, even for those that aren’t, the new year is a natural time to re examine goals, priorities, projects and lists. It’s the best excuse to make some radical (or not so radical) changes to your daily routine and rejuvenate yourself and your business. (That haircut you’ve been debating? Do it! Clothes you’ve been wanting to replace? Toss em! It’s 2013 yippee!)

This month set aside some time to give your business the boost it needs to tackle a new year head on. I know I’m going to be taking a whole Friday to sit with my new Moleskin, markers and some lovely tea to get it all out on paper. When I’m done, I’ll share with you a few of my aspirations for the next quarter. This year I’m trying something new and only looking at slices of time, instead all 12 months at once, thanks to fellow blogger and friend Nicole Antoinette and her new e-book called “Why Wait?”
Maybe this is something for you to consider too.

Web updates, for example, are always a safe place to start. One of my goals is to breathe some new life into the look and feel of my business website in 2013. I’m going to be making some changes to the BrandKit with the help of this classy graphic design duo and I can’t wait! Look for that facelift sometime in the spring.

Wondering where to start? Here are some suggestions for ways to rejuvenate your business as we head into the new year:

• Scout out a local photographer and take some fresh photos for the web.
• Contact a graphic designer about using a new font or accent color in marketing materials.
• Update website copy to reflect new product offerings, calls to action or changes to your About Me section.
• Work with a web designer to create new buttons, banners or headers.
• Find a new way to make your email signature really pop!
• Switch out your profile avatars and update social networking backgrounds to reflect your new look.
• Sit down with a photographer and take a few new headshots or portraits. I have a friend who gets new headshots every year because she loves getting dolled up. Who doesn’t?!

These are just a few easy ways to make tweaks to your business to make it feel vibrant again.

How do plan to rejuvenate your business as we head into the new year? What are some things on your goals list? Share with us!

It’s one thing to create goals in your head but another to get them out and down on paper.
Goals are meant to be set and met, but why is it so hard to follow through with goals on our own?

This where the support and power of a group can help. Welcome to

Make It Happen: The Business Accountability Circle!

Let’s be honest, we all need someone to hold us accountable. Or, lots of someones.

Whether it’s a nutritionist to improve eating habits, a running coach to complete that marathon or a life coach to help you through a transition- people want to help you achieve your highest hopes and dreams.

The Accountability Circle is the way to get you and your business headed down a path to success, using the strength of others who are just like you.

As part of the Accountability Circle you’ll take your most fantastic goals and know they’ll actually come true. With the power of a small group combined with a coach cheering you on, that business or blog to-do list will finally start getting smaller.

It’s like a personal trainer, for your business!
This six-week program is your opportunity to take those 2013 plans and set them in motion.

The Details

What you’ll get:

• Welcome orientation podcast
• A private forum to exchange ideas and connect with other entrepreneurs
• Weekly inspiration
• Access to helpful tools and resources
• Weekly mini-tasks and check points to keep you focused
• A downloadable PDF guidebook to help you track your progress
• Support and motivation from group members
• 6 journal or blogging prompts

PLUS a BONUS: 10 Blogging Prompts Your Readers Will LOVE

The next Make It Happen: Business Accountability Circle starts on March 4th and space is limited to 6 participants per program.

Dive into your goals, meet some awesome entrepreneurs and be inspired to take on the world.

Doesn’t this sound like the perfect way to start the new year?

Right now there are 6 spaces, 5, 4 only 3 spaces open  is just ONE more spot left! The Alpha group is SOLD OUT (Whoo hoooo!!) But there are 6 spaces open for the Beta group starting in March. For this special group the Make It Happen: Business Accountability Circle is only $49. (That’s less than the pair of boots you’ve been eye-balling for the past month.) This is a one-time investment for six weeks of guidance and then you have access to your group for free… forever!

Let’s tackle those goals, together and Make It Happen in 2013.

If you were to look at my email inbox right now I have about 18,000 unread messages, not even exaggerating, many of which are newsletters or blog subscriptions. I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to feel this is a waste of my valuable inbox space and when I do finally get around to glancing at them the content inside the messages isn’t too interesting.

Now that I think of it, there are only a handful of useful email newsletters I open religiously. The rest are crap. Right?

One of my favorites comes from the business card retailer Moo.com. Their awesome monthly newsletter is full of inspiring ways to use their products and it also features customer creations. Every time I read it I want to buy cute little Moo cards and make something awesome.
Etsy is great at email marketing too. Again, Etsy does a fabulous job by offering helpful selling tips and merchandising tricks, geared specifically toward current users. The trick is to be helpful and not annoying.

Lead Generation of the Future

I spend a lot of time scouring the interwebs for cool people and businesses to see what works and what doesn’t. In building BrandKit I’ve come across some pretty crafty marketing techniques for lead generation, instead of the typical newsletter. Since I’m a marketer by trade I usually hesitate to hand over my email address so when I do you know it’s gotta be something good. Here are just a handful of ways entrepreneurs and solopreneurs are growing lists instead of using the typical newsy type messaging.

The Contest
Instead of sending out your “news” and tooting your own horn all “me-me-me” style make your content about your audience and invite them to participate in a video, essay, photo or caption contest. People love sharing their story and hosting a contest will get you a ton of names quickly.

The Download
This is your opportunity to get digital products in front of people and hook them.

The Series
By offering a series of emails you’re essentially running a short drip campaign to hold interest over a period of time or determine what resonates with your audience. Some good examples of drip campaigns include interviews, a series of topic-based material or timely recaps of events.

The Sneak Peak
Use this technique to get your audience pumped about a future release. Build momentum by offering a chapter from a book, a snippet of audio, a photo and details of a new product offering, or free services for a limited time only.

The Freebie
Everyone loves free stuff. Period. It usually doesn’t matter what it is. Bonus points for giving away something tangible like a T-shirt.

The VIP
If you’re a VIP (Very Important Person or VAP Very Awesome Person, as well all think we are) you are put in a different category than regular readers and visitors. And who doesn’t want to feel special? The VIP status might give you special access to content, early opportunities to try out products, a birthday gift or something extra at the checkout.

The Deal
The #1 reason anyone ever enters an email address is because they think they are going to get a deal. Coupons or discounts are a sure fire way to generate leads.

The Repeat and Share
So easy! Just ask. During the checkout process ask customers if you can add them to your list. Offer them something special for returning and a reward for sharing or recommending your business to friends or family. LaunchRock is a genius tool for quickly growing lists based on the social share technique. When it first debuted you could only gain access to use the tool if you shared a custom link with three other people in your social network. Pretty crafty huh?

Frankly, I feel like the online newsletter we have come to know is dead. Growing a list doesn’t have to be traditional. Make your regular email something new and different, something that doesn’t clog up inboxes, that your ideal clients consider a Must Open by testing out any of the unique techniques above. Find out what works for your ideal customers and go with it!

Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons.

I hate making mistakes.

Who doesn’t? Especially when it’s something super important to me, time consuming and costs money, like building a business! Growing a business is a process and sometimes I wish someone would have warned me about this evolution before I began this entrepreneurial journey.It’s almost like having a kid. No one warns you about the REAL stuff, they just watch you learn as you go, snickering in the background.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to do that to you. Instead, here are ten mistakes I made within the first two years of launching my business that I hope you can avoid.

Listen and learn… I’m about to save you time, energy and money!

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Building Your Solo Business or Passion Project

1. Worrying about a business license
Honestly, you don’t always need a license or a registered business certificate to start selling. Build your business, get some sort of web presence up and running and then move on to legal stuff. These things can take months and even years to figure out. Take it slow. Work in phases.

2. Paying way too much for a website
And by way too much I mean anything over $2,000. I live with a graphic designer so it was really hard to know what was “too much.” Email me sometime I’ll tell you how much my first site cost.  Check your local Small Business Association, Universities or even try Elance to find a freelancer if your budget is tight.

3. Securing a Trademark
Yes, I own a trademark. (See my name next to BrandKit LLC. in the US Patent and Trademark catalog?) This cost me about $900, 6 months of waiting and hundreds of dollars in attorney fees. Lets be real, I run an online business, not selling tangible products, so I’m pretty sure I could have done without this. Silly me wanted to make sure I “owned” this name all over the web.  Although, it hasn’t done me much good considering someone else random still owns brandkit.com and the @brandkit Twitter username. (See mistake #6)

4. Developing products or services people don’t need
Honestly. It doesn’t make any sense to create something nobody will use. Listen before you launch. There are lots of free tools to listen to online conversations in your market. Try Twitter Search, Quora and LinkedIn discussions in groups. Or, test out ideas on your friends.

5. Not listening first
See mistake #4.

6. Inconsistent marketing
Did you know BrandKit started out as Branduu? I owned the .com, the Twitter handle, you name it and I had it secured. Too bad Branduu is trademarked and not the right name for the demographic I work with. Once I settled on BrandKit (which is a great name) I discovered I couldn’t own the .com (yet) and a European company owns @BrandKit on Twitter. This means I had to be creative and use a .co for my domain and slightly alter my Twitter handle. When you choose a company name check all your online channels to make sure it’s available. KnowEm is a lovely free little tool that checks availability by scanning thousands of social platforms in seconds.

7. Forgetting about photos and graphics
Text heavy websites are so 1990. Find a local photographer, get yourself some fabulous headshots and put some money into finding a kick ass graphic designer. People are more drawn to websites and materials that look pretty, over text heavy sites or web pages with stock photos. Trust me on this. Check back soon I’ll be posting a BrandKit resources page highlighting some designers I love.

8. Launching a blog without content direction
Once you start a blog there’s no going back. Your audience will come to know you and look forward to your content, even if it’s just 3 people. Don’t launch a blog without a plan and leave people hanging! How would you feel if one of your go-to blogs stopped publishing posts?

9. Planning and not doing
There are only so many strategy sessions to host before you need to dive in and just do it. Give yourself a time limit on research and planning. Your business is never going to be perfect, but it will be close.

10. Thinking you can do it all on your own
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, even the best of us can’t do it all alone. I am 100% guilty of fierce independence, but collaboration brings out the best in us all. If you need help try finding an intern, asking talented friends, begging your family, or pitch local student groups and organizations. Free help is just around the corner.

Now go! Continue building the business of your dreams and be sure to avoid these ten mistakes if you can.

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons.

When I launched BrandKit in 2011 I thought I had the perfect vision and a great idea for a business. It turns out, like many entrepreneurs know, the first vision was not the best version. Since then I’ve switched our name, started a cool blogging project, had an intern or two and  learned a lot over the last year. Most of what I learned was about me, personally, as a business owner/project manager/marketer/blogger/everything-in-between and how I need more of myself inserted into this business.

What started out as an idea in 2o10 became a business with services and no audience to serve. In an ideal world you build a business around helping people and solving problems first, not by creating random goods and services. I created things I thought people could use without thinking about the challenges of the audience first. First rule of marketing thumb: listen to your audience and learn what they NEED. I never asked!

I focused too much on the “stuff” and not the people. I went backwards and didn’t listen to my intended market (college students and young professionals) so it was no wonder I found it challenging to secure clients.

Because I am so committed to this business and making an idea of mine work, (Achiever is one of my top strengths according to the book Strengths Finder 2.0. I love to see things completed and crossed off my list!) I want to be transparent and announce BrandKit version 1.0 is no longer. I’ve spent the last 9ish month obsessing over what to do with this business (in addition to welcoming a sweet baby boy into my life) and the conclusion I’ve come to is that it’s time to take a break and recharge. Even the best business minds need to stop and re-evaluate once in a while. Now, it’s my turn.

My life is very different today than it was in May 2011 and BrandKit should be a reflection of me. As it stands right now BrandKit was built to look and act as a small business, not as an extension of my personal brand, as it should have.

So what does this mean for the future? Well, last month I sighed up for a business coaching program with my favorite lady Molly Mahar of Stratejoy. It’s helping me sort through the million directions I could take BrandKit to find clarity and develop a plan of attack.

Sometime in 2013 BrandKit will return, shiny and new with a facelift and a clear direction. I know for a fact its purpose will still remain the same: Helping young women positively present themselves, but the mission and the way I help clients to that get to that point will change.

One thing is for sure, you will notice so much more of ME in this new version. I made the mistake of forgetting to practice what I preach! If I want to help you learn about personal branding, I better have one hell of a personal brand myself- right?

Until then, I invite you go back and read through some of my favorite Next Step Chronicle posts, sign up for my blogging e-book that is *still* in progress or drop me an email if think you’d like to be part of my blogging team next year. I’m always in search of Next Step Chronicle members or guest contributors. I think I’m also going to bring back the Classy Entrepreneurs series, since the world of entrepreneurship is something I’m super passionate about (hint- hint!)

Finally, I appreciate all the love and support from those who have helped build BrandKit to this point, especially my AMAZING bloggers from Chapters One, Two and Three of the Next Step Chronicles. A gigantic thank you to my assistant Cat, from Budget Blonde for sticking by my side over the last year and a half. (Hire her as a blogger or copywriter, she is fab!)

Until next time, stay classy, stay true to yourself and if you’re a ambitious young lady passionate about entrepreneurship like me (another hint-hint) sign up to be notified when BrandKit version 2.0 launches.

See you in 2013!

Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons.

Hey how’s it going? It’s been a crazy year hasn’t it? Not only did you survive another year of college, but you also graduated! You are done with school, possibly forever. Right now, you are probably ecstatic that it’s fall, but you are also coping with that weird feeling that for the first fall in your life, you aren’t taking any classes at all. I’m no Doctor Who, so I’m not sure what exactly you’re up to, but I hope you are not living with mom and dad, or if you are, I hope you are not using your free time just watching Netflix.

Let’s get real though; you probably have a great job. You earned it! I bet you are in Chicago or the Twin Cities writing away right this minute. You are probably so busy with your awesome life that you can’t believe you are wasting time reading this letter.

I also know that you are still keeping in touch with all your friends. You probably wouldn’t be that strong, confident adult without them. Even though your new life is exciting, don’t forget about how you got there and the struggles you went through.

Also, I hope you aren’t being a complete introvert. I know new places are scary and staying home alone drinking wine is okay, but not everyday. I’m sure you are way past that. I’m sure you’re making so many new friends and exploring whatever fabulous city you end up in.

To summarize, you’ve graduated, gotten a great job, and moved! You’re an adult! Keep up the great work!

With Love,

Past Felicia

p.s. Don’t forget to be awesome!

Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons

Future me,

Above all, I hope you have learned to be kind to yourself. If you do not do that thing you think you have to do, if your life doesn’t turn out exactly as you’ve planned – it is okay; everything is always going to be okay.

I hope you are writing everyday, and I hope you finally believe that what you create is worthy of compensation. You do not have to wait to be better or to be more worthy. The work you do is good, and although there is always room for improvement, you cannot spend your life waiting for it to begin. You will not become better until you have enough confidence to believe that you are, at the very least, good. You are worthy, and the work you do is worthy; I hope that you know this.

Second, I hope you earned your degree. Even though the work sucks, and is at times completely draining, I hope you persevered. Intangible as that future degree may feel now, I know that piece of paper means something – at its most basic, it is representation of four years in which you did not quit.

Lastly, I hope you bought a plane ticket. I hope that you stopped being even the slightest bit influenced by fear or what anyone else said life is supposed to be. I hope you sold everything, and I hope you stepped off the edge and trusted that the Universe would catch you. I hope that you were brave for however long it took to step onto that plane, and that you are in the midst of great adventure.

With so much kindness (I’m starting to practice now!),

Present (past?) me

Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons