That's how long it's been!?

One Year at WA

Somehow, it's been a year! Or, so that's what the badge tells me. October is my month.

I'm not sure how time manages to escape me, and at a faster rate with each passing year.

I'm only a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a life-long learner, and an entrepreneur. (That's all...)

Where does the time go?

My Reflection of 12 Months

The badge itself doesn't mean much... other than an instant reminder of my persistence, determination, thirst for knowledge, dedication, motivation, and relentless stubborness to succeed beyond my boys wildest dreams.

What's important at this milestone is that I re-evaluate my goals.

It's important with any goal-driven endeavor to keep track of progress made. So this will be my snapshot in time, allowing me to look back, see how far I've come, and create new actionable steps to move forward this year.

My 1st Year Goals

Having stepped into this while still working, and fully aware that this would be a new life-long venture, I set very reasonable beginner's goals.

What I wanted to accomplish in year 1 was this:

1. Complete both training courses at WA

2. Build out 2 websites (1 niche, 1 WA)

3. Learn all there is to know about running a website business (Ha!)

4. Make some money, ensuring that I am able to execute what I have learned

5. Average 1 website post per week with a minimum of 1,000 words

6. Create some useful training based upon things I've learned here

7. Start a WA Blog of posts that may be of interest or help to others, but also that I would like to revisit myself for either website tips or motivation

What I Actually Achieved

1. Completed the OEC training courses, and I'm half way through the Bootcamp - kind of forgot about it - going to start making my way through that again today!

2. Built out 3 websites (1 niche, 1 WA, 1 Black Friday) though I am changing my niche site

3. Still learning 'all there is to know' about running a website business (Wow! Really underestimate the scope of information and ability here in the beginning, don't we?)

4. Have made some money. No where near my goals, but know that I will get there

5. I have published 53 articles, with an average of 1,515 words (not near enough of either to reach my goals, but has been a good start to getting me through this learning curve)

6. I have created and published 7 trainings here at WA

7. I have a decently helpful (?) WA Blog that now contains 34 Posts.

Am I Happy With My Progress?

Yes, and no.

I have a pretty healthy concept of what it is I'm capable of achieving in a given circumstance. I set very reasonable goals when I started out, and I almost accomplished all of them.

Why am I not completely satisfied?

I always want more.

The goals I write down, I intend to reach, but in my head I'm always trying to go beyond.

I'm a realist, but I'm also a dreamer.

Ideally, I'd be doing this full-time. I'd have 2 profitable websites. I'd be publishing a new Post everyday. I'd hire a writer to help push out more content faster.

What's Stopping Me?

• Excuses? Sure. You're lying to yourself if you say you never let excuses steal your precious time.

• Other people? Sure. I may be voted the "most disciplined" in my closest social group, but, none-the-less, sometimes I let them steal my precious time, too. (Sorry, friends, that when I have to sacrifice something it will always be social time first. I do have a husband, two kids in school, in sports, in music, a house, two pets, and only 24 hours to somehow make magic happen. Any other parents out there sometimes feel like a taxi-cab driver?)

• Doubt? Sure. Even the strongest of mind have moments of weakness.

• The SAC? Hahaha. I may have bit off a little more than I could chew in one year. Am I caught up? No. But, am I still progressing? Yes!

I haven't figured it all out yet, but I keep going. Forward progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

What Will Year 2 Bring?

Well, that brings me full circle to receiving my badge, and needing to re-evaluate and write new goals.

I am surely wanting to increase my time dedicated to expanding these businesses, even though that means continuously changing my schedule. Being a good wife and mother will always come first (and everyone needs to take a social break now and again for sanity), but there are situations where I can better utilize some flexibility to optimize my time here.

At the end of the day, with WA:

• I've learned new skills that I wouldn't have otherwise.

• I've written 80,000 words that I wouldn't have otherwise.

• I've started a great new business that I wouldn't have otherwise.

• I've met some pretty awesome people who contribute to my growth here (that I wouldn't have otherwise)

I feel like I've learned a LOT this year, and it will only help me succeed in the future.

The fact that we have access to the amount of knowledge that's here at WA for $25-$30 month is unbelievable. It's worth the cost just to have access to all of the information - and I don't just mean WA training. I mean all of the blogs that people write on various subjects, too. It's amazing what we can learn and share here.

Factor in the ability to earn a living by using this platform's training and tools, and we have a life-long goldmine here. Being a member of WA can enrich people's lives in many ways.

What one year at WA has meant to me is great personal growth, and a door to unlimited possibilities. I look forward to writing out my next year's goals, knowing what I know now.

Remember Success is a Continous Path of Many Steps.

Just keep on climbing!

Cris