3 Moments of Growth From 2024
This past year brought lessons that stretched me, challenged me, and ultimately helped me grow. I hope these reflections resonate with you and provide helpful insights for navigating your own moments of growth.
1. Redefining my success.
How often do we get caught up in an endless list of “shoulds”?
• I should launch a new campaign.
• I should volunteer more time to this cause.
• I should start a podcast.
The list is relentless. When you focus on all the things you should do, the road ahead feels long, overwhelming, and unfulfilling. For what? This year, I found myself stuck in that cycle. The weight of those “shoulds” left me feeling stagnant. My solution? I paused, shifted my perspective, and reflected on my wins. I replaced the nagging “should” statements with affirmations that brought me back to the present: • I am proud of the safe and fun space my family and I share at home. When we celebrate even the smallest wins, we reconnect with our purpose and regain clarity. Look for the good—your progress is already there. |
2. Rejection
This year, I heard “no” more times than I care to count: “We went in another direction,” “You’re not in our budget,” “It’s not going to work out.”
At first, it stung. But then I remembered: Rejection isn’t failure—it’s feedback. Those moments pushed me to refine my craft and reframe my approach. They reminded me that success isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s forged in the moments when you get up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward.
Rejection isn’t the end. It’s the nudge we need to grow stronger.
3. Overcoming Perfectionism
I have a habit of obsessing over the tiniest details. One example? I once spent 20 minutes (maybe more) debating between two words in a multi-page marketing piece.
Eventually, I stopped myself and asked: Is this tension worth my time? No. Is this decision going to define my career? Absolutely not. So I chose a word, hit send, and moved on. The result? The piece received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
This experience reminded me that perfectionism is just procrastination in disguise. Waiting for “perfect” keeps us stuck, while trusting our instincts propels us forward.
Sometimes, you just have to take the leap. The world doesn’t need perfect—it needs you. Each of these moments reminded me that growth isn’t a single monumental event—it’s a series of small, intentional choices.
As we close this year, I encourage you to reflect on your wins, face rejection with resilience, and let go of perfection. Because when you look for the good, you’ll find it—and it will guide you toward your next chapter of growth.
