There was no magic recipe or process to take to ultimate success. It’s nothing you don’t already know – sometimes, you just need the confirmation in order to make it viable in your life. Attending Making Things Happen helped me figure out who I was, because ultimately, that’s what my business will be.
So, for those of you who stuck with me and read about my Making Things Happen journey, thank you! If you missed it, and would like to read about it, you can begin here. (part 2, part 3)
If you’re anything like me, you like when things are spelled out – below is a recap of the action steps I was able to take away. These steps have helped me find clarity, get organized and create the most success in my life and business.
1. Create a mentor action list
* Decide on five people who you would like to connect with and reach out.
// Think of something that will set you apart: what can you do for them to make their job easier? What can you offer that they can’t do themselves or hire someone else to do?
// Don’t ask them for coffee, that’s just a round about way of saying you are going to waste an hour+ of their time picking their brain. Prove it’s an investment for them too.
// Be in a good head space because it can be discouraging if they don’t immediately email you back. Keep in mind they are busy, if they weren’t you wouldn’t find them valuable. Respect their time and cut them a break. They may have gotten to your email then got distracted by everything else they need to do. If they haven’t returned your email, try emailing again, gently reminding them that you would like to connect.
2. Download and create an action list
* Go out and buy yourself a fancy new notebook, preferably something that sparkles 
Then take some time to free write and get it all out.
// I create sections for myself: personal, business, etc. I then broke those down:
=> personal: declutter – drawers, closets
drawers: (action list)
- pull out all clothing
- go through and donate all clothes no longer my style
- pack away all the likes, but not right now (I love doing this! As trends come and go it’s fun to have the keepers around = less shopping later <= totally wishing I knew this back then and kept some of my hippie garb now that long skirts are making a come back, haha!)
- group clothing by type, season, etc.
- refold and store according to type and color.
- store off season in bins.
=> business: Jessica Lee Media, Jessica Lee Photography
Jessica Lee Photography: (action list)
- find a mentor
- get lessons
- buy equipment
• think of ways to make money so you can buy equipment
- practice
• set up a practice guide
- buy domain name
• set up email
- set up a fan page
- set up blog
- post
• organize list of things to talk about
… you get the idea.
3. Purge all social media, bookmarks, etc.
* Lara explained to us that we keep these things to distract us from the decisions we need to make. She said to get rid of them! Take them off your browser toolbar. Turn off all pushes on your phone. Make them work to get too. You’ll be surprised that the attitude, ‘oh, let me just check in for five minutes’ – which turns into a total time suck – will become a hassle when you actually have to take the time to dig deep and find that nasty little link, haha!
We all have that one who does nothing but plug themselves, the one we have an unhealthy competition with or that one’s position we covet. This just sucks the creativity right out of you. SO.GET.RID.OF.IT!
4. Create 5 actionable items
* Each day review your download list and take away five actionable items (things you can do under 30 mins).
// For me, most things take longer than 30 minutes and can have as many 10 steps. I try to give myself a healthy mix with a goal of being completed in one week. Some I knock out right away and some take a little longer. I try and I am realistic, this girl is no superwoman. I have to work full time, which comes with daily fires to put out, laundry to do, a dog to walk, a husband to feed, and I’m having a heck of a time trying to get my 19-year-old butt back – women over 30, can I get an AMEN?! haha!
5. Evaluate your environment
* Your closet, your car, your office. These things can create that sense of forgetting something, feeling as if things are out of place or simply suffocating under the weight of being out of control.
// For me, it’s all these things and then some. Right now the biggest thing that is looming are my hard drives. Lara taught us that you could continue to put it off if you simply haven’t broken it down enough (which is probably why I haven’t gotten around to it yet <= hello reminder!)
6. 5 things that make you feel whole everyday
* Write those things down! Get them in front of you as a constant reminder. Take care of yourself! You deserve it!
// mine are:
work out/physical activity
walk Alice
prayer
at least three bottles of water a day
encourage someone in their business
encourage my husband to chase his dream
**Have you attended the Making Things Happen experience? I would love to hear what you took away from it and how it helped you grow!**
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Because this experience has helped me grow so much I want to give back!!! I’m offering anyone who wants to make things happen in their business 50% off my identity and/or web design packages. Spots are limited to 8 people (confirmed with a retainer). Feel free to email me for all the details at jessica@jessicaleemedia.com
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Love love love this!!!! You are such an inspiration. You are making things happen!
Bridgett, my friend, YOU are the one that inspires me!! Your a go-getter, what I admire the most!
*HUGS*