Remember When You Said Next Year I’m Gonna…

We are in the last week of 2016…. I’ll just let that sink in.

2017 IS COMING and if you haven’t started planning for the things you want to happen that is okay. You just must promise yourself AND the rest of us that you will start to plan and to lay the foundation to execute your plans and dreams.

IT CAN BE DONE.

For a lot of people and business owners it feels like a punch in the gut to realize the things we said we would be ready to do in 2017 we are no closer to completing than at the end of 2015 when we said, “Next Year I’m Gonna”.

I am not reminding you of that statement to be defeating but to be TRANSPARENT.

I have been there, I have done that, and I’ve got the t-shirt.

I trust you guys so I want to share with you all some very private moments I’ve had with myself in 2016. This year has been truly transformative for me. To be completely candid, I am in a place that is completely foreign to anything I’ve EVER experienced.

Let me just say I am an avid believer in goal setting but I COULD NOT HAVE PLANNED WHERE MY LIFE IS NOW IF I TRIED! However, if I had just gone with the flow and allowed life to happen to me I would be in a miserable place, I would not own two businesses, and I would have continued being a puppet. I’ve learned some costly lessons both personally and in business.

BUT…Guess what!?

Somewhere along the line, I decided to trust in my own process.

The most valuable lesson being TO TRUST MY GOD AND MY GIFT.

In respect of full disclosure. I ran two businesses this year and I would advise NO ONE to do this. No really, DONT! haha In addition to 4ourty, I have another business, A Smarter Grad's Guide (ASGG) which I hold near and dear to my heart. You will see moments from ASGG during this slideshow that molded me and contributed to what I consider a successful year.

So here it goes, a look at my most private notes and memories from this past year to let you know that if you make it real the universe will HONOR your requests.

 

May 2016- First things first. Every idea I have begins with pen and paper. I believe if you make it real for yourself, God will make it real for you.

The idea I had for 4ourty when it began resembles nothing that we are today. We are not a subscription list and we don't even go by that name. 

Don't be afraid to START your vision will evolve.

June 11- Remember when I said I've made COSTLY mistakes? This was hideous.

So was this...just hideous. lol

This is more like it. I look back and laugh at this process. You guys have NO IDEA lol

7/4 4ourty Black and Owned List LAUNCHES

Be Brave. Be Bold. Kick Down Doors.

So when I conceived 4ourty my goal was to be a tool to our businesses. To create lessons to help our businesses shorten the gap in service offerings between black owned businesses and predominately white corporations. Long story short...I created a boat load of lessons and sent them off to a HUGE black owned business directory.  I did this by going to their site and clicking CONTACT US. The only risk I saw was that I'd get sent to their SPAM folder. Well, it didn't THANK GOD! hahah

THE FIRST 4OURTY LIST!!

July 11- Over 100 black owned businesses in Roanoke joined the list. It was A LOT of work BUT it was an honor!

Everything starts with a LIST!

And here we are! At the end of 2016 with a fully functioning site and in the process of publishing the list for 2017. It has not been all glitz and glamour! It has not been easy. I am a one woman show that has chosen to live my life rooted in purpose. I value myself and my time. This year I learned to be honorable, to be available, to have faith, and to continuously grow! You never EVER know the great things in store IF you are willing. 

What did I tell yall?

Every thing begins on paper for me. It is my signal to the world that I am about to MAKE IT HAPPEN.

My first sketch of my beloved character Bonnie. Bonnie means alot to me because she is the reflection of me, a 20-something trying to take over the world. She has good hair, fabulous glasses, and she is always following her dreams. I was hopeful that just seeing that image would help other girls like me to see a piece of themselves in Bonnie. 

I hired someone!

February 2016 The first person I EVER hired was my trusted artist, my go to gal Michelle. She brought Bonnie to life and I am forever grateful. Lesson: if you can't do it you won't regret hiring an expert.

Motivational Speaker???

Where did this even come from?! Remember when I said I could not have planned this year if I tried??

AND THEY BROKE ME IN RIGHT AWAY!

After repeating the same speech at three assemblies in the same day, I was READY to take my talk on the road. BUT WHERE? 

Your Dreams Will Manifest...

September 2016- Even if you did not know it was a dream IF God has it for you, He will give you the courage to act. After speaking at my high school I began searching for conferences to speak at. I took a shot in the dark and sent an abstract. (I STILL DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT IS!) 

But I did it! AND my presentation was accepted. Sometimes I look at myself and wonder...

WHO DO I REALLY THINK I AM?! lol 

Watch Out World!

My 23 year goals! I make it real so that it can become real!!!!!!

Everything Begins On Paper!

That second book had been in my heart for so long I just started writing!!!

November 9th!

My second eBook written in 2016 was published. I could never be more happy!

Year 2016

• Author
• Business Owner
• Motivational Speaker
• Community Contributor 
• Role Model
• ...and the list goes on!

Moral of the story...

Don't be the one saying "Next Year I'm Gonna" when you can change your life TODAY!

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