"You'll never feel successful unless you create your own definition of success".
Sahil Bloom
Oof, there's a thought.
I found a piece of paper while tidying the office, saying I wanted a business where I can have school holidays off with the kids; pay the mortgage and bills with some left over for fun; and work with people I am excited to help, and this year has really been mostly that - hurrah!
2024 has been the first full calendar year as a company, Human Skills Co, and all the fun and games that comes with the branding, logistics and financial aspects of that.
It's been my biggest year again, and now five years in to this self-employment game, my confidence in my skills, delivery and value is up.
Once again, work seems to have magically appeared at my doorstep when needed, and gone quieter when required too (or maybe I'm just good at spotting patterns and making meaning!). But as I pass the "lead breadwinner" baton back to Mr Winn, and pick up the one labelled "lead parent", work has slowed down just enough to give me a bit of breathing space before Christmas and think about compiling all the things I think, love and do into a BOOK.
Now it's about writing the damn thing - and that's just the beginning!
Looking back, the headlines this year have been in long term relationships, balance and protecting my energy, to show up with energy!
The type of work is "same, same but different", with a strong reputation meaning I've been getting referrals to work with more middle and senior leaders on strategic decision making and problem solving alongside many many tailored workshops in thinking and human skills and strategic facilitation, off-sites and team days.
Topics I've been speaking on:
Navigating complexity and ambiguity
Decision Making under pressure
Problem Solving and Human Skills
Strategic decision making and critical thinking for middle and senior leaders
I was curious as to what the breakdown looked like, and here it is:
Perhaps this is one I am prouder of - so. many. repeat. clients - I must be doing something right! And many of these are re-booked for next year with almost 40% already locked in.
Some kind words from nice people:
"It was hands on, fast paced, with lots of useful frameworks to take away. Bethan was an amazing facilitator, she was energetic, shared so much knowledge and made it a really enjoyable session."
(Senior leaders training, Energy company)
"Absolutely excellent delivery thank you so much! Wonderful information, great energy and a proper passion for the content."
(Middle leader in a transport organisation)
"Your energy and enthusiasm were absolutely perfect for wrapping up our long day of discussions. You provided just the spark we needed to consolidate the day's insights and transform them into actionable plans. It was impressive to see how you guided everyone through the process of distilling complex ideas into concrete next steps. Working with you on this event has been a pleasure."
(Conference organiser)
"Loved it... you've given our team valuable tools to navigate challenging conversations that are
valuable and relevant to your situation. We're better able to communicate and understand each other as a team" (Managing director, professional services)
"Thanks Bethan, you facilitate these sessions with compassion, humour and wonderful knowledge and energy. I feel empowered to use these tools and make better decisions!"
(HR manager, Government agency)
Areas I'll be putting energy in to next year are some ongoing relationships with mid - and senior - leadership development in organisations, doing more interactive keynote speaking (many of which are already booked which is exciting!) and evolving what critical, creative and strategic thinking mean for learning and leadership as AI becomes ever-present in all parts of our lives.
Some 2024 professional highlights (Gah, so many!)
Speaking at the Optus stadium for the Corporate PA Summit, Women in Leadership Summit at the QT; At the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre for Skills Strategies International, Travelling for Albany Sports forum and Gascoyne Sports Forum in Carnarvon.
Presenting at the Professional Speakers Australia conference to an audience of fellow speakers and facilitators, with wonderful feedback (possibly the most nervous I've been before a session!)
Facilitating in Bunbury and Busselton for as well - the Busselton Hilton is something else!
Getting Jimima, my first company car, a zippy little Suzuki Jimny!
Ongoing partnerships with the Future Female Leaders program, some household names, large utility companies and government organisations who keep asking me back :)
Being able to spend Christmas and January in the UK with family and our trip to Vietnam mid-year where I switched off pretty well!
Popping to Brisbane and combining family visits with the Michael Bungay Stanier x Leanne Hughes event.
Meeting Johann Hari and gifting him a KFC Cow (see the post)
Bringing together the 'Electric Dozen' and facilitating connections and introductions, helping others in their businesses - it's the little things that are the big things!
Things I seem to have said often:
"Busy is the enemy of strategy" (Me, I think)
"All decision making is a values clarifying exercise" (Tony Robbins)
"Nibble, don't scoff" (Me!)
My POINT decision making model - Permission, Zoom Out, Zoom In, Noise and Take Action
What's the next right thing? (David Snowden / Frozen 2)
Tech that has been invaluable:
Canva, Xero (and my awesome bookkeeper keeping me in check) and Calendly for booking in coffees, connecting and coaching (you can book in here!) are all still high on the list;
New things this year -
Loom for videos, often accompanying a proposal or follow up to a session;
Freedom for app blocking on my phone (an old one that's come back after Stolen Focus - comes on every night at 8.50pm to help me get to bed!)
Otter for dictating meetings, recording discussions and writing my book, and good old AI mostly in the form of ChatGPT, though playing with Claude, Dall-E and other bits and bobs.
Things I'm excited about for next year:
A paid trip to London in October for work, and a work / play trip to Canada in June!
The yacht project - that's actually on a Catamaran - all about new chapters and next level for the people who are signing up: https://subscribepage.io/Id2Bjf
A new niece or nephew in Abu Dhabi - and an excuse to look for work opportunities in the UAE! (send me your suggestions!)
Marathoning in April, Ultra marathon relaying in May, and the running journey.
Conferences, creative projects and ongoing partnerships that are in the pipeline...
Booking in repeat work and adding more value through the research for my book.
Seeing my connections thriving personally and professionally (love that for you!! :)
Mistakes (aka learning experiences:)
Online courses, again! I built, invested, but my heart wasn't in it. I much prefer learning together, in-person, and tailoring to client needs. My follow up Loom videos are scratching that itch as part of the package to keep learning going beyond the day and that's much for flexible and meeting client needs.
Taking on a staff member wasn't a mistake, but it was a HUGE learning curve and lesson in timing and business. I'm so grateful to my employee for being such a wonderful human!
Saying 'No' more often to things that aren't aligned to my bigger goals. I love the excitement and creative experiments of a new project, but I'm getting better at focus and referring work on to others as well - win / win!
Habits that are serving me well:
Doing more strength training - hello 40s! I set out to get rid of my bingo wings in Jan - and I'm doing pretty well!
Drinking less coffee. Sleep is becoming more of a challenge, so reducing caffeine is good.
More art, drawing, poetry, writing, generally creating things that make me happy and my house and life more colourful.
Walking desk - I'm actually awful for sitting at my desk, so this has been a great incentive to work on my laptop and get stuff done which still moving.
Winding down earlier and working less in the evening - I've switched from reading non-fiction to fiction at bedtimes to help me switch off from work and it's been great :)
Favourite reads this year
(more fiction as I've needed to 'switch off' better with a fuller work schedule):
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
The Thursday Murder Club books (they are just delightful, like a lovely chocolate digestive)
Wish I hadn't bothered reading 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' - happy to discuss!
On the reading list for summer:
More fiction, but also drafts on my own book (!!!)
A Marathon training plan, written by my good friend Vici for a marathon in April :{
If you're still prepping for Christmas, I have some cards and dice still up for grabs - give the gift of better thinking and decision making!
Thanks for reading this far. Thanks for being part of the journey that is business and life. I'm so very grateful for everyone I get to meet, work with and share value with on this.
You're doing a great job, keep at it! I wish you all the good things for 2025!
Best wishes always,
Bethan
P.s. Want to do your own reflection? Take a look at this free worksheet just for you:
P.p.s. Feel free to ask me about any of the above, it'll help with my accountability!
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