In the States, we just had Thanksgiving, which got me to thinking about the things that made me grateful in the past year.
Now you’re probably thinking, this is a marketing newsletter, though, right?
Why are we talking about this?
If you’re marketing and bringing in clients, I promise that the 5 things I’m grateful for this year are going to help you support and grow your firm.
(Don’t worry. I’ll be bringing back regular marketing content to Dear Katie next week.)
Business truths are something every owner needs to hear with an open mind.
Delegating tasks frees up time for me (and all of you business owners reading this) to focus on core tasks.
Even if it’s not perfect, I:
Moving work off my plate faster and into the hands of a specialist sooner has been business-changing. I’ll remain in the background supporting the person as they improve and refine the process over time.
Delegating even allowed me to do something many owners forget to do: go on vacation.
Life happens.
If you’re not careful, work can easily take over. There was a time when (and I’m embarrassed to say) I never went on vacation. In fact, this time wasn’t even that long ago.
It wasn’t because I didn’t want a break or to travel. I was just “too busy” to take the time away.
However, this past year, I’ve taken more time off than ever before. And I took that time with less stress.
How?
I planned ahead for the year and scheduled in vacation days. And I did this whether I knew where I was headed or not. Essentially, I put in my PTO.
I also mapped out when I’d be away for a conference and other industry-related events.
Sure, opportunities and events pop up, but these can be worked into the schedule. And at least I know I have a vacation coming up.
Hear me out. For some of us, we get a dopamine hit from doing “hard things.”
And I’ll admit that I still do.
I love feeling accomplished, BUT it’s one thing to feel accomplished and another to believe that things have to be hard to be equally worthy of feeling accomplished.
Here’s an example:
I used to wake up and do my workout while fasted because I heard that’s what’s good for you.
I liked that I felt disciplined. I know that intermittent fasting works for some people. However, for many women (not all, and I’m not a doctor, so don’t come at me), it messes with our hormones.
Now? I wake up and eat breakfast. And I don’t train right away.
This doesn’t mean that I’m any less accomplished. I’m simply tuning in more and doing what supports my health.
The same goes for business. Working more hours doesn’t make me worthy simply because it was hard.
Working intentionally does. I’m still working on this point, but it’s a critical one.
It’s okay to say “no,” and this goes for both your personal and professional life. Previously, I thought that if I said “no,” I always needed to give a reason.
But no is enough.
Are you coming to the event tonight? No, I won’t be there. Enjoy!
It’s perfectly fine to say this and not give a reason why. Remember that “no” is a complete sentence.
If you’ve been around for a while, you know that the start of 2025 was a bit rough for me.
Business was fantastic, but mentally, I was running myself into the ground.
This bit ties back to number 3. You see, I saw this as “I’m working hard,” and in a way, I got a rush from:
All of this was working until I really took a look in the mirror and realized I wasn’t happy with what I saw looking back at me.
My personality was leaving. My patience was getting shorter. I had less time for the people I love the most.
Now, I can confidently say that I’m ending 2025 in a much better place, thanks to getting help and support.
I can’t say enough good things about having coaches and therapists to work with.
Running a business, managing people and having a family isn’t easy.
No one’s life is easy. Everyone needs support.
If you feel down or simply want to make a change, get help. I promise that there are people out there who can give you the help and support you need.
And, that’s a wrap on this Dear Katie question.
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Now I want to hear from you. Do you have a question?
Until next time, cheers to your success!
Katie
Start by documenting the steps of a task you do regularly. Record a screen video or write down the process, then hand it off to a team member. Support them as they refine the process over time.
Planning vacations ahead of time helps ensure you take necessary breaks without the stress of last-minute arrangements. Schedule your time off at the beginning of the year to prioritize your well-being.
Recognize that working hard doesn’t equate to being worthy. Focus on working intentionally and finding balance, rather than just putting in long hours.
Absolutely. Saying ‘no’ is perfectly acceptable and doesn’t require an explanation. It helps you maintain boundaries and prioritize your time effectively.
Consider seeking support from coaches or therapists. They can provide guidance and help you manage stress, improving both your personal and professional life.
Reflect on what makes you happy and prioritize those activities. Seek support if needed, and focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance to rediscover joy in your work.