This is My Thank You, Because You Changed My Life

So many people are talking about what their 2009 was like, and I’ve enjoyed reading about what’s been awesome and what’s been changing things for other people this year.

This is my business blog, and I’m writing my 2009 wrap-up extravaganza thank-you post here because my business has changed incredibly this year, and it’s because of you.

The clients who took a chance on me

Some of you just wanted someone to take care of something quickly. Some of you needed a helping hand, a person to brainstorm along with you. Some of you wanted a great design, and some of you changed your mind about what you wanted during the process (and that’s okay!).

Some of you were so happy to have me making you something awesome. Some of you didn’t really care one way or the other, but you were satisfied with the exchange of value when you got what you paid for.

Some of you have become my friends. Some of you will be my business partners in the upcoming year. Some of you make me smile, bring me joy, and lift me up when I’m feeling sincerely down for whatever silly life-related reason.

Regardless of why you needed me, I’m so glad we worked together this year. I have become a better designer, a better helper, and a better business person because of all of you. Thank you.

The mentors who taught me about business and marketing

This year, I knew I needed help being a great business person, and I knew my business needed help too; so I turned to a handful of incredibly great, authentic, occasionally irreverent, AWESOME people to help me.

This thank you is for Charlie, for Naomi, for Dave, and for Sonia. This thank you is for Johnny, for Pace and Kyeli, and for Havi. This thank you is for Clay and Goddess Leonie and Mark. I read your blogs, I buy your stuff, I listen to what you say. I absorb and I learn and I try to apply the valuable gems you give me. I am so glad I found you, and I look forward to learning more from you as you journey this next year into better and bigger things.

My children and my husband

Most importantly of all the people in my life, I learned from my children. I learned not to work non-stop. I learned to remember why I do what I do. I learned to say ‘no’ or ‘not right now’ to the work that calls my name even when I am doing something else important.

I learned to be so very grateful to be home with them, not to have to leave them and go to an office building somewhere, and to have the luxury of taking a day off simply because I want to be with them.

From my husband, I have learned so much about communication. We are so different in many ways, and in learning how best to love him and speak to him, I have learned how to be a better person. He has been my support, my strong shoulder to cry on, and my biggest and most honest fan. He reads what I write, he lets me tell him what I’m learning, and he helps filter the world for me so I can always figure out where I am.

What will the new year bring?

I don’t know what this next year will be like. I didn’t know everything I would learn this year, and I had no idea how far I would come.

Next year, I think that once again, life will surprise me. Things will be better than I expect. Some of the plans I’m already making will fall through, and other better ones will take their place.

(Hopefully next year, I won’t be posting why I shaved my head, ha!)

What was your year like? I’d love to hear about it. :)