2017 - The Building Year

I was looking at through my Instagram feed yesterday, and I came across one of my favorite end of the year posts called #2017thebestnine. Naturally, I had to get in on the action and see my best nine posts for myself. The final result led me to reminisce about this past year and how much has happened.

Why the "Building Year"?

Like I mentioned in my IG post, I left my full-time, comfy, corporate job to pursue freelance

writing full-time. Let me say this... it's freaking scary. I have no idea when I am going to receive my next check. There's no HR office I can go to where I can speak to someone about receiving payment. I do have some clients who are really consistent, but I have other ones who pay when the project is finished. And I have others... well... let's say they are challenging. It's freaking crazy. Luckily, I've been able to hold my head over water for the past year.

I have learned that pitching for new work is just as important as the work. The realization that we only have so many hours in a day has brought me to the conclusion that I need to put more energy into Val's Bytes. I do love writing as a whole, but this blog is my baby.

My itch for wanderlust is never satiated

I love to travel. I mean, I LOVE to travel. The world has so many beautiful places, great food, and friendly people and I can't wait to see more of it. The Comedian and I went to Italy and Greece this past year. Europe exceeded my expectations in more ways than one. Never in my life did I imagine water so blue in Santorini or tomatoes so sweet in Sicily. I told the Comedian, we just barely scratched the surface. However, I did promise to give him a six-month break from my constant need to be out of the house.

Growth for Val's Bytes

It's amazing how much can happen when you pray a little and

make some real effort. I have made strides with Val's Bytes in the past year including starting the Love Bits and Bytes podcast, getting my matchmaker certification, and hosting at an online radio station with Throwback Vibez.

I am working behind the scenes to put together a brand new website, writing my first ebook (a collection of my best blogs), and working on myself. I think there is so much good information out there including several books that will get your mind right to find a quality relationship. If you need recommendations, hit me up.

What's to come

Like I mentioned before, I have some things in the works that you'll start to see in early 2018. I really want to help anyone I can find love or at the very least, a date. I sincerely believe God gives us gifts to share with the world. I know mine is guiding someone to learn to love themselves so they can find love.

I am also working on expanding my marketing services. I have some terrific friends of mine who are incredibly talented joining my team. Look out for Fox Hunt Digital pretty soon. Personally, I think the website is pretty awesome.

Though 2017 was a tough year for me, I don't regret very much. Well, except all of the BBQ that went to my waistline...ha! I know if I could make a living this year, next year will only be more fruitful. This year was my building year.

I have always kept moving forward because I believe in growth. If you are not growing, then you're stagnant. If you hate your situation, make plans to save yourself. No one else is going to do it for you.

If you are interested in making the leap to working for yourself or if you need coaching, feel free to reach out to me at val@valsbytes.com.

See you next year!!

2016 - A Year in Review

I'd like to think this "Year in Review" idea could be an annual thing.  I like to reflect on the past year and its triumphs and challenges.  I really began this year in a good place as I was planning my wedding to The Comedian.  There were hopes and dreams that I wanted to accomplish.

Year in Review

I was working at a job where I loved the people, but as the year wore on, so did the job.  I worked from 8 am to 6 or 7 PM on some days plus going outside in a construction environment did not weigh very well on my energy.  I started losing myself.  I didn't feel that I had the energy to work on the one thing that brought me life, this blog.  Not only that, I struggled to lose weight for the big day.  I remember lying in bed with The Comedian after a long heated discussion about following our dreams.  He felt that I was losing my passion.  I sincerely was just in a rut.  I told him that by the end of the year, I would quit my job and pursue freelance writing full-time.  This would give me the opportunity to focus on what I loved most, writing.

Luckily, after a few craigslist posts, I found some great clients who both gave me the opportunity to quit my job and still make enough money to support myself.  I was on a roll.  My goal came to life.  This past holiday season has been full of meetings and pursuing even more clients.  Val's Bytes will not be left behind either.  Look out for new podcasts in a different format in 2017.

I have been to two weddings this year, including my own.  I don't remember any baby showers.  And I was given the greatest gift of all, a husband who supports my every endeavor.

As I reflect back on this year, I think about all of the negative things that happened.  The shooting at Pulse Shooting Pulse Nightclub in my hometown of Orlando, deaths of so many celebrities including Prince, and the emotional stress of working a job that drained me both mentally and physically.

Create a Your Own Destiny

But I am grateful for changes that occurred that brought me closer to what is on my vision board.  As a challenge to you, I want you to create your own vision board (I will put mine down below).  If you visualize and pray for the things in life you want, they will come.  Keep a positive outlook and don't let negative thoughts enter your mind.  The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle says,

“See if you can catch yourself complaining, in either speech or thought, about a situation you find yourself in, what other people do or say, your surroundings, your life situation, even the weather. To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself into a victim. When you speak out, you are in your power. So change the situation by taking action or by speaking out if necessary or possible; leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.”

A goal without a plan is a dream (I saw this in a meme the other day).  With this year in review, I want you to create an opportunity for success.  Visualize the things you want, keep a positive mindset, and those things will come.  I know because it has happened to me.

Happy New Year!