We have introduced a number of amazing women in our Meet A Mom series. They are bad ass moms and entrepreneurs and we are thrilled they are a part of our network. Which got us thinking…what are their goals (both personally and professionally) when looking forward to a new year? We are 42 days into 2020 and it is a great time to pause and reflect. So we asked them each the following questions and here is what they had to say:
- Do you make resolutions? Why or why not?
- What was your biggest takeaway from 2019? What lesson(s) did you learn?
- What is your mantra for 2020?
One thing to note, what’s the difference between a goal and resolution? A resolution is “a firm decision to do or not to do something. And a goal is “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.” Your name and links to your corresponding site will be included again in this feature.
Katie Hiatt // South Denver Moms
- No, I don’t make resolutions, I prefer to set goals. I agree with a lot of our local moms, resolutions seem more short-term to me. Goals are longer-term and can change the way you live your life.
- 2019 was a big year! We had our second baby and I quit my job in Human Resources to focus on raising our kids and taking care of our family. So there was A LOT for me to takeaway. My biggest takeaway though was that you have to do what makes you happy and/or what is best for your family. Do not let outside opinions influence you.
- Similar to what some of the other women said below, my mantra for 2020 is going to be, BE PRESENT!! Enjoy the moment(s) in front of you and stop worrying. Personally, I focus so much on what’s next, I forget to enjoy what’s happening in my life right now. My goal is to live in the NOW!
Brita Destefano // Progress Through Play
- I no longer make resolutions for myself. I found that too often I was focused on an unattainable end result rather than the process that could get me there. Resolutions have a tendency to make people feel less-than or to focus on what they *should* be doing or what they *don’t* have. And what happens when you don’t meet that resolution? You see yourself as a failure. So instead I have begun choosing a word that embodies my personal and professional mindset for the year. That ensures that it is a more intrinsically motivated, something to inspire myself throughout the year and a reminder to stay focused on the here and now.
- 2019 was my year to overcome fear. I made a big decision to return to the working world after 3 years of being a stay at home mom. And not only was I returning to work, but I was starting my own business. I had a lot of voices in my head telling me that it would be scary, that I might fail, and that I didn’t know what I was doing. But I learned to seek out help and when I did, I got the best advice from my business coach. She helped me identify those voices, acknowledge them and then move past them to take that big leap into the next phase of my life and career.
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My word for 2020 is GROWTH. I want to focus on growing my business, my network of friends and other healthcare providers, my presence in the community, my blog and website offerings and I also want to grow as a mother, wife and friend.
Malee Statwick // Third Culture Travel
- I try to make process goals or set intentions for the year, rather than firm goals for resolutions. I like to work towards better habits step-by-step rather than feeling like there is a set number or goal I need to meet which will most likely result in failure. 😉
- I always thought I knew this, but it was hammered home to me last year that more money does not equal more happiness. I was fortunate enough to be in a position to be able to quit my corporate job last year (and start my own business), and once I did, a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Our family is obviously financially less well off than before, but I realized how subtly but profoundly miserable I was doing my day job. I am so much happier now.
- Be present.
- I don’t make specific resolutions anymore. I think this really started after I had my first son, I just felt like there was enough pressure on us as moms already, why add some unrealistic expectations to our plate on top of raising tiny humans? I do like to start the year off reflecting on what has been working well, and what are some things that would help me feel better and do better, whether that’s related to career, health, wellness, motherhood, or relationships. So for me, it’s more about starting off the year with intention.
- Gosh, 2019 was certainly a year of transformation for me. I started off the year just getting out of the newborn fog from having my second son, and wasn’t sure what my plans were career wise. I ended up deciding to take a leap of faith and go after a business idea. The year went by so insanely quickly that I didn’t have time to really soak it all in, but now reflecting on who I was and where I was at the beginning of the year vs where I ended it, I realize I learned and grew immensely in that year. While starting a business was very humbling, I also have come to realize I am much more capable than what I have given myself credit for.
- In 2020, I am not selling myself short or playing it safe, I’m showing up and getting after it!
Stephanie Ferguson // Mountain Cub
- I actually don’t make resolutions anymore. I finally figured out that I’m more likely to follow through with something if I have a series of smaller, more attainable goals to guide me, versus a big resolution. I also feel like goals give you a little more grace with yourself, whereas if I don’t stick to a resolution I feel like I’ve failed.
- My biggest takeaways, particularly from a business and personal perspective, are that mindset matters and health is everything. With mindset I realized that it’s okay to be afraid of doing something new, but it’s not okay to let that fear hold you back. With Mountain Cub, for some reason I was so afraid of “failing” or “doing something the wrong way”, or so afraid that the world didn’t need “another boutique”. Looking back, 1. That was so silly and close-minded to think that way, and 2. If I would have listened to my own negative thoughts, I never would have gotten off the ground. When I think about my health, I already know I take care of family, but I can’t do that well unless I feel my best. So maybe that means saying “no” to a trip or work event so as to not spread myself too thin. Or maybe saying “yes” to one more workout or one more hour of sleep here and there. I want to “show up” for myself so that I can be there for the ones I love.
- “Do more of what you love”. I’ve started to realize how precious my time is. When I’m not working, I want to make every moment with my friends and family count. My goal this year is to first schedule in things that bring me joy (family trips, dinners with my husband, concerts, etc). Anything else will just have to come after that.
Gina Gellings // Noonday Collection
- I don’t make resolutions. I find that smaller goals are better for me. I can climb slowly and hit the plateau or goal, take in the view and then start the next ascent. Makes climbing a mountain more manageable.
- Biggest takeaway from 2019 was to let things go, don’t take so much personally and my goals are often much more easily reachable when I don’t make them all about me. Obviously they incorporate me, but when I look through and toward the goal instead of dead set on the goal, it’s achieved, impacts others and ultimately I grow in the process.
- My matra for 2020 is to enjoy the climb, take in the view and really see what is in front of me for all the beauty that it is. Let fear go.
- Personally, I like to use the start of a new year to realign my goals for personal and professional growth. This might look like a realignment of habits, new skills I’d like to learn, aspirations for our business and dreams for our family. As a family, we believe the start of a new year is an incredible opportunity to have valuable discussions with our kids. We like to reflect on all of the memories we made over the past year, with gratitude and growth at the forefront of our conversations. We also encourage everyone in our family to make a goal for the new year, and then we make a goal as a family. Our family goal is typically something fun. For example, this year our whole family wants to go to the beach! It’s not an accident that our family values are at the forefront of Wanderwild’s corporate beliefs. At Wanderwild, we believe that experiences are everything and that’s why we aim to create gear for children that enables families to get out and learn, explore and make memories together.
- My biggest takeaway from 2019 was balance! An unending struggle as a wife, mom and entrepreneur is finding a balance that satisfies all areas. The biggest lesson I learned is to always put family first. Without fail, everything goes smoother when the heart of your home is well taken care of. The rest will follow.
- Create JOY! There is a vulnerability in being open to creating joy, especially in difficult or challenging situations or tasks. Recently, our family had the good luck of sitting on Interstate-70 en route to go skiing for six (yes, six!) hours. We found joy in silly bathroom stops, eating chips for dinner and having a movie marathon. What could have been an otherwise stressful and unwelcome situation is something we’re laughing at and reminiscing over, just a short week later. We believe everything is better with a smile on your face, a good attitude and gratitude for the many blessings in life.
Katie Heaps // Barre3 Bellview Station
- I don’t do New Years resolutions and haven’t done them for years. Resolutions tend to be about change — “fixing” something or “the new you” which implies that something about you is “broken” or “isn’t good enough”. Rather than being about becoming the best version of your (current) self. I prefer to think of the New Year as an opportunity for growth and to refocus how I can keep growing into the healthiest, happiest version of myself.
- Oh man, it was a big year for me both personally and professionally. A lot of personal growth and reflection. Much of this was fueled by the first few months as a Lululemon ambassador at Park Meadows. Lululemon’s commitment to personal development sparked me to take a big look in the mirror and dig deeper into my core values and taught me that it’s important to celebrate and enjoy my wins — something I haven’t done well, ever.
- I’m not sure it’s my mantra per se, but my focus is continually striving to let go of the emotional armor that doesn’t serve me anymore and to cultivate more opportunities for personal connection and growth with my family, my marriage, and my business.
Megan Sanders // BeautyCounter
- I have never made resolutions but goodness knows the pressure of social media and “the importance of making resolutions” has always left me second guessing my choice! The few times I’ve tried, it just never really felt authentic and didn’t change my actions and mind set. I do prefer the idea of goals for sure and I’m a big fan of a ‘word(s)’ for the year to keep in mind. Last year, my focus was presence, patience and gentleness both with myself and others. This year, my husband and I both settled on “purposeful.” It seemed very fitting for where we are at in life.
- My biggest takeaway for 2019….hmmmm…probably letting go of things and my expectations that are constantly too high for myself. Also, the need to slow down. I have 3 small kiddos 5 and under and I can’t expect my house to be spotless and the dishes to constantly be caught up so I am learning to give myself grace and to be ok with not having it all together. I still need to work in it big time but somedays I feel pretty good about it all. Also, this first year with our 3rd has really put into perspective just how fast it all goes and how short our time here is, so I am stopping to savor every moment more.
- My mantra for 2020…well, like I mentioned above, I’m working on being purposeful with everything I do, slowing down and enjoying each day instead of being so task driven (this is insanely hard from me since I am a ‘to-do list’ person to the core). With all this, I am aiming to read a lot more for pleasure and I have turned all notifications off on my phone (especially those annoying red dots on each app) and am still practicing more presence with my kids and hubby.
We hope that you found these messages as inspirational as we did! 2020 is clearly going to be an amazing year with a number of motivated, hard-working women advancing their careers and businesses! But most importantly, focusing on themselves and growing personally while focusing on the happiness of their families. We greatly appreciate the partnerships we’ve built with these women so far and look forward to what’s to come this year!
What about you? What are your goals and/or resolutions for 2020? Comment below! We want to hear!
