This month marks two years since I began Anchor Watch Marketing, and if you've ever talked to me, there is about a 98% chance I told you how I ended up here. In the long, long ago, I worked for a large corporation in the biopharma space, working as a brand launch manager. I spent a lot of time on the road and in hotels, and even more time at the office. And then, like a lot of people in this day and age, I got burnt out. I lost touch with what I was working towards and who I was doing it for, drowning in a sea of other Type A overachievers who used to joke about getting a 2-for-1 special on divorce attorneys like it was funny that none of us were ever home.
The fact is, I am a very driven people pleaser (currently in rehab) who wants to make everyone else around me happy, even if I sacrifice myself in the process. That was how I got burnt out at work: I couldn't say no to anything, even if I resented it. When I started AWM, I wanted the opposite for myself. Because when I get into that space where I'm trying to be everyone to everything, the result is that NO ONE is happy. Not me, not my husband or family, certainly not the clients I serve who feel the result of my being stretched too thin.
This isn't what I want - for myself or my business.
And so, in 2022 I am going against all of my own instincts that are telling me to shoot for the stars, take on as many new clients as I can, try to do everything... in favor of being intentional.
Intentional is my word this year. I want to be intentional and work with clients that will leave me feeling fulfilled, who I know that I can develop and launch amazing, authentic brands with, and who value my effort and partnership. I want to be intentional with the grace and space I give myself while I'm still learning all the ins and outs of running a business without sacrificing my mental health. I want to be intentional with how I grow so that I can best serve myself, my family and my clients. I want to be intentional with all of it.
So if you see me this year, smiling and looking happy and balanced and not overly tired or stressed out, know that it doesn't come easy for me but that it's worth all of the effort.
