Well then. It appears I have a blog. A blog in which I have been completely ignoring. It blows my mind to see how fast time has passed since my last post.

Today marks the anniversary of the opening of my first business. It also marks the day that I completely lost sight of what I wanted out of life, how I wanted to spend my time and what type of people I would allow to take up space in my packed world. I have spent the last FIVE years in a completely unbalanced routine and I am exhausted and perhaps even unhappy. (gasp……I said it.)

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my life. “My life” being, My husband, kids, family, friends, and work family. What I don’t love is the constant pressure to do more, be more, and make more. I have spent the last few years tirelessly working to achieve  “wealth” and striving to attain what I perceived that to be.  All the while losing track of what actually makes me happy.  Time and experiences with the people I love.  I cannot tell you how many dinners with my husband and kids I have missed, how many tuck-ins I have missed, how many school functions I have not made it to, or little milestones I haven’t witnessed first hand, but on a video sent to me while I am working. (because my husband rocks)

There was a time not that long ago that missing the little things was something I was willing to sacrifice because I was working to build something that I knew would take care of my family.  Somewhere in the past year my ENTIRE focus has changed and I now am ready to change the channel. A client recently told me “you can’t listen to country music if you’re on the rap station. You have to change the channel according to what your priority is in this season of your life.”

It has taken approximately 1,825 days for me to figure this out.  43,800 hours to finally actually see(and feel) what wealth looks like to me. That is a lot of time lost. But this journey has taught me more life lessons than I knew I needed to be taught and unfortunately with many of them I was schooled the hard way.

With this new year of business upon me I am choosing something NEW. I am changing the channel on my radio of life. I am taking the lessons from the past 1,825 days and I am putting them to use.

Heres how I plan to change my channel: (In no particular order)

1. Minimize toxins–Minimize the negative influences around me. Avoid toxic people (complainers, whiners, poor attitudes.) Surround myself with positive, supportive, motivated people whenever possible. (We have built an amazing team of women in our businesses so this is very easily attainable.)

2.Say NO–Saying no to everything that is either not essential or does not add value to my life. 

3.Turn it off – Disconnect. Put the phone down and turn off the computer. Give my work brain a rest.  Spend the extra time actually interacting with my family.

4.Make my health a priority –  I have been working hard on this for a few months and will continue on my journey. Our health really does affect the quality of our lives and our work. I am far more productive and happier when I get enough sleep, eat healthy and fit in my gym time.

5. Set a work schedule and stick to it. 

6. Stay in my lane- I will not waste energy on things I cannot change. I will swerve around these bumps in the road.

7. Let Go of the Guilt- I don’t have to be everything for everyone.

8. Spend (even more) time with my guy.-He is the glue of our family and deserves more of me!

9. Make plans, set goals and take risks- Plan what this next chapter will look like, for my business and personal life. 

10.Build deeper friendships- With the constant work grind I have let a few friendships fall by the wayside.I am going to make a conscious effort to invest in the women that have been there for me through these past 5 years.

I am excited to have reached a point in my personal and business growth to be able to live my life how I see fit, and to spend my time how I WANT TO! Time is the ONLY thing in life we cannot get back.  Let’s not waste it!

Cheers to the next 5 years of being a BALANCED

business owner, mom and wife!!

I am off to spend this St. Patty’s evening with my husband that lives for this day! After all he is 20% Irish!♣

♥  KEILA NICOLE  ♥