Ta-Da! The year is almost over

10 days left on the 22nd year of the 21st century

Dec 22, 2022

Reflecting on what I accomplished this year, I was motivated to look back at last year. First, I review my 22 for 2022 “To Do” List of goals and experiences I’d like to have, which I created in December 2021 and updated in June on the 22nd week of the year. I first learned about numbered lists concept in 2019 from Gretchen Rubin’s work.

TO CREATE YOUR LIST, KEEP THIS IN MIND:

Consider making a “23 for 2023” List to identify your aims for the upcoming year. These items can be easy or ambitious; one-time undertakings or habits that stretch for years; fun or…less fun. There’s no one right way to make your list—just think about what you want the new year to hold. — Gretchen Rubin

This week, I’ve returned to the “Ta-Da” list I created last year. A “Ta-Da” list outlines significant wins, experiences, or things you’ve accomplished. I’ll share my 21 for 2021 “Ta-Da” List, below:

Posted on IG at least four times a week every single week
Hired a virtual assistant based in the United States
Blocked a sabbatical week on my calendar every seven weeks
Lost 15 pounds
Completed the first draft of my first book
Raised over $10,000 in a successful pre-sale campaign, selling nearly 200 copies among 125 contributors
Was paid for three speaking events, prompting me to intentionally plan for speaking as a revenue stream in 2022
Hosted BlackLinkedIn is Thriving on Clubhouse every Sunday at 9am EST
Helped plan my grandfather’s funeral, wrote, designed his obituary, printed it, and hand-delivered
Deliberately spoke my husband’s love language every day
Built some deeper connections with BlackLinkedIn is Thriving family
Teamed with two other small businesses to obtain my first multi-year, multi-million dollar government contract
Helped nonprofit client bring a higher ed partnership vision to life
Worked with 20 new dissertation coaching clients from 12 different universities
Traveled solo to Southern California three times, NYC, Philly, and Montana for Dr. Mommy sabbaticals
Spoke on seven podcasts
Got COVID vaccine
Refinanced mortgage
Read my first fiction book (The Midnight Library) in years
Stopped breastfeeding my son (Donovan) after 15 months
Gave away two carloads worth of baby items

BONUS: Found a 🔥 new hairstylist

I can’t believe the end of 2022 is here already.

It's wild to think about how fast this year went by and compare it to last year. It feels like a lifetime ago, incredibly after I survived a cardiac arrest and two weeks in the ICU. A friend recently told me they were impressed with my ability to keep going despite all I’ve been through—a new heart condition, pacemaker—along with two very active toddler boys. Somehow, I still managed to finish writing and publishing my book!

When I reflect on my life, the biggest thing that comes up is the fact that I’m still here and healthy enough to be able to do what I love every day. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for surviving (thank you, Dave! 😘) and for all the people who have supported me through these health trials and tribulations.

❤️❤️❤️

Three ⚡️ in 31 Seconds

⚡️ I’ve gotten to about 17 items on my 23 for 2023 list. Now, I am focused on completing my 22 for 2022 “Ta-Da” List to catalog the significant wins from this year. Who else will join me in creating “To-Do” and “Ta-Da” lists? I’d love to know.

⚡️ The third-party editorial reviews for Me Power are trickling in. A five-star review from Readers’ Favorite says: “Reading Me Power will leave you uplifted and inspired…This is the perfect book for someone looking to find their true self, which in the end, is all of us. Trust me when I say you don’t want to miss out on this book!”