The month in review: November
November has been such a special month for me, for many reasons. If November is a taste of what’s to come - I’m here for it!!
Business wins
I was interviewed on stage at Stylist Live by Stylist editor Ellen Scott. The first minute was nerve wracking, but then I relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed myself. What a vibe!
I also contributed to another article in Stylist magazine, where I shared a couple of 5 minute habits to start now for a seamless near year. Have a look at where I’ve been featured in the press here.
I launched Season 2 of my podcast, Own Your Time. This season I’m being joined by some fantastic guests, and this month I’ve published episodes with Rhiannon Louden and Katie Williams.
I attended Digital Marketing Launchpad hosted by Sooz and Susan at Clockwise. A full day dedicated to funnels, AI & automation and some networking with other small businesses.
Oh, and I hosted my final Connect for a Cause business brunch for 2024. I love these events, and chatting all things email marketing and blogging for business is my jam! DM me BRUNCH on Instagram if you’d like details ahead of next year’s calendar of events.
I was interviewed by Claire, founder of Ermana, for her podcast, Skin & Within. We recorded the episode in a studio here in Glasgow with sound engineer Brian - which was great fun! So much more professional than my home set-up 😂 It was such a good conversation, and will be going live next year.
From a project management perspective, setting up my CRM has also been hugely impactful and has been a win this month. I’ve now got embedded forms in my website that link to automated workflows in the CRM. What a time saver!!
Personal wins
I’ve been back regularly at my boxing class with The Glow Club Business girls at Kynoch Boxing, and I LOVE it. Boxing is my favourite way to exercise, even if I do mess up the routines sometimes! I’ve also kept up with my tennis lessons, and am slowly improving (my tennis coach Josh has a YouTube channel, you can check it out here where he shares his travel adventures). My last post on my fitness journey is here if you want to take a look.
I also went to support a fellow Glow Club member who was in her debut fight this month. Well done Leanne for a fantastic fight, and congrats on the win! Such a buzz (and it kinda makes me want to train and fight too… although for now the focus is Hyrox!).
I visited Clare McDowall’s first solo art exhibition this month, had a facial at Facespace (highly recommend) and hosted an early Christmas party at our house (Winter Wonderland themed!).
I’ve been trialing Frive for meal prep, and it’s saved so much time for me knowing that I have nutritious meals readily available each week.
Insights from the month
I had a very full week early in the month, and it made me realise that I definitely do not want to feel that stretched again! I immediately took to my Google calendar to block out periods for focussed work and rest until the end of the year. Typically I’m very good at this, but life seems to have taken over a bit!
I was also reminded of the importance of different types of rest. I’ve been making more of an effort to get out into nature and instead of walking Evie round the block I’ve been going to a nearby forest, and took her up to the windfarm as well.
Delegating to my VA/OBM and her team has been amazing; what a difference it makes having a supportive team in my corner. If you’re in a position to start outsourcing in your business, then I can highly recommend it. I think the key is to play to your strengths.
On that note, I also have a local business owner who specialises in SEO, Google and data analysis who I’ve been working with the last few months, and this was another area that has made a big impact on my business.
What I’ve been reading
The List of Suspicious Things, which was for the book club I hosted at the end of the month.
The book club has been perfect for me, as it’s encouraging me to read fiction books which I don’t typically do. I normally lean towards non-fiction business & personal development books (you can read my favourite time management books on my blog here).
What I’ve been watching
Yes… I do watch TV! I’m enjoying the latest season of Shetland. I love taking in the scenery, as well as the storyline. The beaches look beautiful, and remind me of my trip to the Outer Hebrides a few years ago. Shetland is on our wish list for Dawn & I for a girls trip, which I’m hoping we can make happen sometime! Our road trip on the North Coast 500 was one of my favourite holidays of all time!
Coming soon
Sales Geek Christmas party
Trip to Blairgowrie to visit family
Christmas lunch with Dawn
And of course a visit from the big man (I reckon I’m on the nice list!)
Some prompts for you to reflect on your month
What’s a win from this month that deserves more recognition from yourself?
What’s one system, habit or tool that worked well for you and how can you build on this?
What’s a challenge you faced this month, and what did it teach you about time management?
How have you balanced your home life with your business this month, and how can you continue to nurture this?
What’s one thing you started this month that you’re excited to keep building on?
If you could go back to the start of the month, what advice would you give yourself?
What brought you joy this month?
What is your highest priority goal for next month?
And lastly
At the end of my interview for Stylist Live, Ellen asked me if everyone listening could take away one step, habit or mindset change from the chat, what would it be. Here’s my answer…
Time management is the foundational skill that will help you achieve your goals, both professionally and personally.
Time is involved in every aspect of your life, from your career to your relationships to your health.
If you’re fed up with feeling stressed or never actually achieving your goals, I believe you need to fix the foundations… and your time management is one of these skills that will have a positive ripple effect across so many areas of your life.
