Catching up on my ThinkKit prompts from 2014…

What one word sums up the past year? Now: unpack, unfold, and uncover it. What does it represent? What events float to the top when you think about your word? And, okay, if you can’t limit yourself to a single word…use a (select) few.

Growth.

Have you experienced that “ah ha moment” where things seems to make more sense than ever before? Where you realize what you’ve been doing wrong and how to do it right?

Towards the end of the year, things clicked for me. I felt like it was time to put all my efforts into making a great future for myself. As much fun as it sing karaoke with the help of liquid courage on a Tuesday night, I knew I had to make a choice between the late night partying and having a successful career. The funny thing is that once I stopped going out and put my energy towards my work, I didn’t miss going out.

I made three goals for myself for 2015: better health, a growing business and more traveling. Not even one month into 2015 and I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job. For example, I’ve gotten up and swam laps on weekend mornings instead of waking up at noon with a hangover. I have a new client, and I’m going to Sonoma next week. That’s a pretty kick ass start to the year in my opinion!

Some people might think I’m boring now compared to my old self, but I’m happy with the transformation. I know that these changes I’m making are going to help me out in the long run. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be a total square. I still love a Sunday champagne brunch or a birthday celebration, but a Thursday night isn’t reason enough for me to be out of my house anymore.

I believe this is just the beginning of my positive life changes, and I know the journey of growth isn’t always going to be easy. But the payoff in the end will be worth it.