Gusto & Grace Journal, Volume 1, Issue 2

A monthly letter from the desk of Sarah Fejfar

Have you ever seen that holiday movie, Serendipity with John Cusack?  It’s my favorite.  Well, that and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, of course.  But Serendipity is one of those holiday movies I enjoy year-round.  I love how it reminds me that there is a right time, right order, and right reason, for everything.

What did you learn about yourself or your business this last month?

Here’s what I learned:

1. I can’t Google what I don’t know that I don’t know. Wow.  This one hit me like a freight train a couple of times in the last month, both in my business and personally.  It is SO important to seek clarity in areas we’re feeling stuck by asking for help.  It could look like hiring a consultant, it could look like buying an online course, it could look like calling a friend who’s been there.
   
   
2. I’m far more resilient and capable than I give myself credit for.  In fact, I believe we all are.  I’m not going to start waxing poetic about all the beautiful ways 2020 happened FOR me, yet… but I will say November, and 2020 in general, taught me this.  You too, yes?!
   
   
3. Friction is my new favorite word.  Whether it’s unnecessary fields for virtual event guests to fill out on an event registration page or having three bathrooms and only one toilet cleaning brush… there’s friction. I think it’s a helpful exercise to step back and think, both in our business and personal lives, where is there friction, and how can I reduce or eliminate it?  This month, no joke, I went out and bought enough toilet brushes and toilet bowl cleaner so that each of our three bathrooms has a set… so that when the mood strikes me to clean, the friction of “I don’t want to go upstairs/downstairs to get the toilet bowl brush” is gone. But in all seriousness, where are we adding friction for our customers/prospects/guests / ourselves where it doesn’t need to be?  Let’s get rid of it!

What are you trying to accomplish in December?

Here are my three goals:

1. Preparation: We’re bringing home a puppy on December 22^nd.  OMG.  I joke that it’s as if hell froze over in 2020 because not only did we take up camping as a family, but… we’re getting a dog!  Max, our English cream golden retriever, will be seven weeks old when we bring him home, just in time for Christmas.  I’m a planner by nature so, in my head, this month is all about preparation for our bundle of joy to arrive.  And for my daughter, well, this month is all about asking how many days until we pick up the puppy and jumping around shrieking with excitement because she “Just. Can’t. Stand. How. Cute. He. Is!”
   
   
2. Put Myself First: There’s a big project I want to complete in my business (and I know I’ll feel amazing when it’s done,) but I didn’t work on it at all in November.  In fact, I write in my journal every day that it’s my top priority.  Yet, I spent ZERO time on it last month.  So this month, in December, I’ve challenged myself to work on a little piece every day instead of trying to carve out a big block of time for it.  (Side note: I’m three days in, and I’ve been successful each day and the progress feels wonderful!)
   
   
3. Set Clear Intentions for My Weekends: Every Friday, I share my “Friendly Friday Reminder” with my social media community. I strongly believe that we need to step into leadership roles in our families and be intentional with our family time by creating magical memories, just like we do for our event guests.  Rarely do epic experiences just “happen.”  Thankfully, with the #pacificwonderland in my backyard, I’m pretty darn successful at this every weekend.  Adventure is all around!  But… I always leave the door open for a little work to happen wherever I can fit it in.  And simply the act of leaving the door open steals from my enjoyment of the magical moments.  So, I’ve decided to block time on my weekends if I intend to do work, just like I do during the week, to help me compartmentalize things.

And there you have it, my December update for you.  Just thought I’d share and keep in contact.

I hope this note finds you and your loved ones happy, and healthy.

Warm Regards,
Sarah


Sarah Fejfar
Founder of Live Event Academy™
Coaching | Consulting | Courses
www.sarahfejfar.com | @sarahfejfar
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