As many are wont to do this time of year, blog posts abound on lessoned learned in the past year. This is no exception. I’d reviewed and analyzed my year both personally and professionally and have been working for weeks on my 2011 vision board, goals and plans, though I hadn’t planned on sharing most of my review with the world. As one of my goals is to share more of my personal life with you just as I’d like to learn more about you, my readers and customers, fans and friends, I was inspired by @MichellePippin (a phenomenal coach and inspirational woman – I strongly recommend you read her blog and work with her if you are a business owner) and her honest and direct post on her 2010 and decided to do the same. I hope some of the lessons I learned can encourage you in whatever road you’re traveling in life – many of these lessons can be applied not just to business owners, but anyone working on a goal or dream. So without further ado, here’s a list of some of the things I learned in 2010.

I learned that all work and no play does indeed make me dull – especially when I let my spiritual and physical health falter by being too ‘busy’ with work. This year one of my words is ‘intentional’ – I will be intentional with my work, not wasting time on unimportant, unproductive or ‘busy work’ so that I can devote the time I want to and need to to my faith, my family and my own well-being.

I learned that I wasted too much time trying to ‘convince’ certain people to support me in my business. I won’t do that again – it is not my responsibility to convince others to believe in me – it starts with me and the dream God has placed in my heart, and if I’m the only one on the planet that believes in me (which I’m not) then that is sufficient. I learned that I do have some incredible supporters in my corner, and that I need to reach out to them when I’m faltering or in need of a little boost. I do need and will seek out in 2011 a small accountability group of likeminded business women to support each other in our spiritual and business walks. I need to have their support during tough times and I also need to use my gifts of listening and encouragement to help support sister believers.

I learned that it’s critical to keep investing in myself. The investment of attending Spark & Hustle was the best thing I could do – everything I learned there contributed to the greatest strides in my business to date. I will continue attending this incredible conference for years to come. Coaching is another key to my success which I had let falter – never again – the accountability and feedback are imperative to my success and I won’t be without a coach again.

I learned to give myself credit for the strides that were made in 2010, especially while working another full time job and having a complicated pregnancy and delivery. Consistent action steps, even the smallest of steps lead to big gains both personally and professionally, and ‘action’ is another word of mine for 2011. My work day may not be as long as others’ but it will be just as, if not more productive, as my actions will be intentional and purposeful. Along that vein, I will be growing a team in 2011 to help with the workload and provide greater products and services to our customers. I want to capitalize on my strengths and hire others with different talents to do the tasks that I’m not so skilled at (or have no interest in doing) but are necessary to running a business.

I have many plans for this next year and look forward to all the excitement and blessings it will bring. What are some of the lessons that you learned in 2010, and how will those lessons affect your 2011? Here’s to a wildly successful new year for all of us!