A guest post from Anna Floit —
Well, the first quarter of 2013 is in the books. Three whole months. Thirteen weeks. Ninety days. 2,160 hours. 129,600 minutes. 7,776,000 seconds. Moments that felt like the clock wouldn’t budge and moments that moved so fast I couldn’t catch my breath. Where did all this time go?
I’m not sure if it was the looming reality of turning thirty-fi-i-i-i-i-ve, or that my desires finally caught up with my fears, or that I realized it was okay to explore what I want in my life rather than spending my energy on what others want in their lives, or just needing 2013 to put 2012 inconsequentially in the past. I drew inspiration from the OneWord365 community and unhesitatingly choose the word Do to represent my 2013. It was the first word to come to mind that integrated all I wanted to accomplish. And so perfectly vague; how could I possibly mess that up? I’ve made Do my constant companion and turns out we’ve been hustlin’ through Q1 like we’re racing against the Energizer Bunny.
Now, you likely don’t know me, so let me clear up any delusions right now: I’m not a self-centered diva who believes that everything revolves around me, is about me, concerns me, and impacts me. Nor am I a selfless martyr who puts away any efforts toward my own well-being in order to please everyone else. These extremes exhaust me just thinking about ‘em. It’s all about balance, people. It’s the whole putting on your own oxygen mask before helping someone else put on theirs. Because without our own air supply we are useless to everyone else. That being said, I want whatever I do, for myself or for others, to work toward making me a more formative contributor to the world I occupy now and the one where I’ll spend eternity. So as I go about Do-ing, that’s the equilibrium I’m after.
So what have I Do-ne these past three months?
Well, in addition to managing a recruiting firm full time, I’ve relaunched my writing and editing business and website—The Peacock Quill. As an un-savvy, un-techy relic from a past era, I organized my own little dream team to make this happen, including a super smarty-pants web designer/branding extraordinaire/guy every hipster wants to be, a graphic design whiz, a marketing genius/coach, a makeup artist to the stars, and a very patient photographer (GAH!!!). I reworked my web content and passed it on along with all my visions for TPQ to my web designer Clark who worked his magic to make it a more marketable, client-friendly site. Shout out to Clark Buckner and Buck Branding! Next to Jesus and Anne Sullivan, he’s a true miracle worker.
Since that little project only sucked most of the life out of me, I also finished editing a book I’ve been working on for a whole year with a very special author (more info to come!), edited and proofread several other projects for some publishing biggies and independents, continued my work on the board of a YMCA youth program and planned our annual fundraising breakfast by attending meetings, designing and coordinating invitations, preparing guest lists, etc. I’ve attempted to prioritize and balance family and friend time, made my way to Jazzercise as often as I could, volunteered for church hospitality, initiated a local college alumni chapter (Hillsdale! It’s still the people!), and enrolled in Jeff Goins’ online writing class.
Oh, and I bought a home. Which means I employed a realtor and searched for a home. Then found a home. Then worked with my bank, signed a bajillion documents, lined up inspections and appraisals and contractor quotes, rocked my master negotiation skills, and held my breath….
All was accomplished while I went multiple rounds with a mess of excruciating headaches, doctors, tests, and medical bills—for the entire first three months of 2013. BOOM!
With OneWord365 as a motivator and Jon Acuff’s START book and launch event as a hovering map of what the path to awesome looks like, I left mediocrity in the dust and got my hustle on. I’ve even had to reluctantly turn down some opportunities, events, and social hangs in order to allow all else to be done well, which is a really big deal since most folks who know me know I have a severe case of FOMO. Oxygen masks, friends.
What have y’all been up to? Q2 is upon us and I forge ahead with plans and an openness to what I’ll find next and what will find me. Looking forward to another update in three months!
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Anna is a writer/editor based in Nashville. Born and raised among the cornfields of the Midwest, she now calls the hills of Tennessee home. She holds a degree in education, English, and art from Hillsdale College and when not working can be found at Jazzercise or Whole Foods. Or both. She’s a big fan of her family and friends, live music and southern literature, and all things nostalgia. She loves connecting with others and connecting others with others. You can find out more about Anna on her website, The Peacock Quill, or follow her on Twitter or Facebook.
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After pioneering a nonprofit in South Africa for 13 years, Alece Ronzino now lives in Nashville, TN. She’s a vacation rental management firm owner, freelance copywriter/editor, and the founder of One Word 365. More importantly, she dances in the car, talks with her hands, and makes a mean guacamole. Follow Alece on Instagram and Twitter, and visit her blog, Grit and Glory.