I have championed my children’s and grandchildren’s efforts and causes their entire life. My admonition to them is and has always been “The pain in your back is my foot pushing you forward.” As the last patriarch standing in our family’s line it continues to be my duty to put a foot in my family’s back.
It has been my good fortune to watch my family pursue their life’s adventures. I have seen my favorite younger daughter in her chemistry lab “bunny suit” when she was making more money out of college than I was making at the time. I have seen all my kids perform their performances and their awards, graduations and school events. I have helped construct Utah. Those are a smattering of the thousands of moments I have in my memory watching the movie my family has produced.
My favorite older daughter sends me her business correspondence because I am a client. Sometimes I get a sneak peek but mostly I find out what is going on the old fashioned way… I read the email. Her latest “Notes from Rachael” is an inspiring read and the suggestions for action in the coming year excited even me who is writing this racing against my sleep meds increasing success. Enjoy:
Happy New Year!
It’s hard to believe a quarter of a century has passed since we were worried about the world ending in Y2K! So much has happened over this time – my kids have become adults, I started a business, we bought and sold and bought another house. When I look back over two and a half decades, it feels like a lifetime ago.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that in the last few years, I’ve shrunk down how far back I reflect. If I just look at the past year, I can zone into even more milestone wins: I celebrated one year in my shoffice! My family adopted the #LiteraryLitter We’ve tackled some pretty big house projects that we’ve been tolerating for ELEVEN years!
I created, promoted and presented FOUR workshops by myself! I launched my VA Referral Directory and have a dozen VAs to refer to clients! I launched my Hire a VA program and have gotten great reviews about it. I launched my Hey! Do I Need a VA? Podcast and we’ve recorded TWO seasons and are scheduled to record a third.
Over winter break I wrote the first rough draft of my book to help overwhelmed entrepreneurs find, hire and work with a VA. I’ve steadily shown up for my Accountability groups and myself. I hired my own team of VAs to take over the tasks I no longer want to do so I have time to focus on what I am excited about.
For the first time in years, I’m really looking forward to the new year ahead. Last year it took me months to ease into anything. This year, I’m not walking into my bliss, I’m leaping! I invite you to join me. If you’re not ready, that’s absolutely okay.
If you haven’t already done it, I encourage you to reflect back on your past year and write down your Wins. Celebrating what went well for you goes a long way to motivate you to keep going. If it feels like you had more struggles, pause and try to look at those with curiosity.
What lessons can you take with you into 2025? Most likely, there are a few wins sprinkled in the struggles that with closer examination will remind you of how far you’ve come. You may have completed milestones even if you haven’t crossed your finish line.
Try it! Reflect with curiosity. You may find your bliss or at least find the first step to following it.
Following your Bliss
For the last five years, I’ve been on a journey of transformation- myself, my business, my relationships. Pretty much every area of my life. I’ve seen clients go on the same journey and flourish in front of my eyes. I’ve called this journey many things- goal-getting, self-love, healing, and taking the leap into my Zone of Genius.
What I didn’t realize is this is what Joseph Campbell calls, The Hero’s Journey. I learned about this as a storytelling technique when I was working on the craft of writing romance novels. In every story, the Hero is called to adventure and he/she either grows and changes or stays the same. For years, I’ve believed that our goal-getting journey is our own hero’s journey. To realize a goal, regardless of what it is – to clean a space or build a business- we all go on parallel journeys. The outward goal is the one we tell people about – “I’m writing a book”, “I’m running a marathon,” and “I’m getting my house under control.” The Hero’s Journey is the inward changes we need to make to become the person to reach our goal.
Campbell’s most famous piece of advice is “following your bliss.” His concept suggests that we should pursue what genuinely excites and inspires us — our Genius. Following our passions leads us to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. He’s quoted as saying, “If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living.”
Essentially following your bliss is about aligning your life with your deepest desires and goals. In doing so, doors open where you didn’t know they existed. Just stepping onto the path sets off a chain reaction to lead you to the next steps. Here are insights from Joseph Campbell to help you along your own Hero’s journey:
Alignment with Inner Passions: Every person has a unique set of interests and passions. I once heard, “You don’t have a dream, a dream has you.” It may be a calling when you can’t get an idea out of your mind and you’re always being pulled into taking action on it. Identify what truly excites you. Set goals that resonate with these inner passions.
Synchronicity: When you’re following your bliss, you often encounter a sense of synchronicity—meaningful coincidences that seem to guide you down your path, as if the universe is conspiring to support your journey. Each step opens the door for the next step or opportunities emerge that help you grow. Guides, teachers, classes, even book recommendations often show up at just the right time. Document these moments of synchronicity to help you stay motivated.
Facing Challenges: Following your bliss doesn’t mean everything will be easy. Every hero’s journey involves challenges and obstacles. However, these are seen as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Look at struggles with curiosity. What can you learn from them? How can you break things down into smaller, more manageable steps to make the process less daunting?
Authenticity: Pursuing what you love leads you to living a more authentic life. When you’re true to yourself, you inspire others and contribute to the world in a way that only you can. Ensure your goals align with your authentic self. Avoid setting goals to please others. What do you want to accomplish and why does it genuinely matter to you?
Transformation: Every Hero’s Journey changes the person. Who do you need to become to live your dream? Following your bliss often leads to personal transformation. As you overcome obstacles and learn new skills, you evolve and grow, becoming the hero of your own story. Set goals that will push you out of your comfort zone, even a little bit at a time. What new habits or tiny actions can you create?
Celebrate your wins and reflect on your struggles. Remember, even tiny steps can create BIG changes. Campbell’s insights encourage us to listen to our inner voice and take courageous steps towards a life that feels truly meaningful and fulfilling. It’s not about chasing fleeting pleasures but about discovering and pursuing what brings you deep joy and satisfaction. Is there a specific area of your life where you’re considering following your bliss? What’s getting in your way?
I’m here to support you on your journey, even if it’s just to cheer for you along the way!