Every new year presents new challenges. Even after 20 years as a Grant Pro with great procedures and clients in place at Heart Resources LLC, I have found the need to reflect and make adjustments in my work and lifestyle. If you have yet to read my book, Grantepreneur, I share the importance of learning about grants while building a career and business, and personal lifestyle strategies for success in this meaningful and demanding profession. I am in the process of updating my book. This blog is for sharing more about personal and professional processes and resources, in the hopes that readers and future readers will share feedback on what you have found helpful and would like to support your path to success.
As a Grant Pro with an established business, top of mind at the beginning of a new year are (1) checking in with clients to update contracts and deliverables for the calendar or fiscal year, (2) estimating billable time (and time off), confirming hours of operation for my home office, updating my calendar, and then (3) projecting budgets for my business, home and personal needs. I work from established priorities and relationships, finding that sufficient earnings will follow. I set aside time for professional development, as a Co-Facilitator of the Grants Cafe, a member of the Grant Professionals Association, and the GPC (Grant Professional Certified) credential from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute requiring continuing education and service. Of course, I work with clients using our preferred Google and Microsoft Office apps. I update a Google Calendar for reminders of client meetings and due dates, a large number of family birthdays and anniversaries, and personal celebrations. You can rightly call me “old fashioned” since I also like to write spontaneous notes-to-self in a hard-copy calendar. My overall favorite is the Work From Home Monthly/Weekly Planner along with an erasable pen (in multiple colors), Frixion by Pilot (both at Wal-Mart and Amazon).
Over many years, I learned how to work with my annual cycle of productivity using The Book of Houses: An Astrological Guide to the Harvest Cycle in Human Life by Robert Cole and Paul Williams (available on Amazon). My new year goals begin to take shape in November, when I celebrate “Harvest Day” and a month of “Harvesting” by completing business tasks and client projects and celebrating accomplishments of the year. Also, I attend the GPA Annual Conference and facilitate a Grants Cafe panel with colleagues to share our favorite takeaways. My father’s family were farmers in the mid-west, and it seems natural to intentionally celebrate a harvest period to finish with the past. After Harvest, there is a period of Choosing Seeds (goals for the next year) which happens for me at the end of December. I set goals for family time, health/fitness, and spirituality, along with my business. Part of my success in work and life has come from reading and reflecting during each of the book’s twelve-monthly houses each year. Working with this natural rhythm reduces worry, allows me to enjoy periods of rest and reflection, and feel confident in launching new year plans. As humans, we share the experience of observing the various cycles in life. I would enjoy hearing how others start the new year and navigate our work-life cycles!