Cheri Dixon: A Girl and Her Dog

Hey there y’all! Welcome back to another week of my thoughts…and this week has been quite a week! I hit a wall again in my real life…and was forced to take a minute and get myself right! I say this all of the time, if you don’t make time for your health, you will have to make time for your “un-health” and that was me this week! But I am back on track and wanted to spend the next 3 weeks doing my yearly review of my life, my business, and my mindset as I prepare for 2023. So, let’s get started!

I am not sure about you, but I find that the older I get, the faster time goes by. I cannot believe we are wrapping up 2022. I feel like it truly has just begun…and I say that without sounding like an old person. But, it is true! The year has been very busy for me, and usually that makes time go even faster…but as with other years in my life, this one was filled with wins, challenges, and opportunities to grow and develop goals to accomplish for 2023. Over the next 3 weeks, I will take you through each with me, hoping that by sharing you can see how I reflect and develop goals for the year, realize that everyone has the ups and downs of life and how others handle them could give you perspective on your own life, and get to know me just a little more…as we continue our journey together!

In Part 1 of this series, I am going to focus on my wins for 2022. Some are big, some are small, and some are wins for me that others may see as just everyday occurrences, but as I tell my staff and my clients, if it’s a win for you, it’s a win! And of course, all of these wins taught me a little more about life…because I love learning and being able to better myself so that I can bring my best to the rest of the world. Which brings me to win #1…I completed my 11th half marathon. Last January, I ran the Houston Half Marathon for the 9th time, but my 11th run total. I had an ok time for being 50…and a knee injury, but I finished. I learned that your mind can play a huge role in what you do in life, and being able to quiet it, and stay on track, will ensure that you can accomplish whatever you set you mind to. Knowing I had this knee thing, I wanted to give up at mile 8…and had to adjust my run a bit, but taking those couple of miles to walk, having the self-talk with myself, put it all into perspective and I was able to finish strong.

My next win for 2022 was deciding and achieving a life coach certification. The courses were not hard, and of course, I finished them quickly, but realizing that I can coach others outside of the world of education and do something different than I have been doing for the past 28 years was a win in itself. We get in the comfort zone of life…waking up each day, doing the same routine, coming home only to prepare to do it all again…which gets boring, but predictable. And our minds like predictable. Making this pivot took a lot of thought, a lot of trust in myself, and a lot of self motivation. I am so glad I decided to do it, step out of the comfort zone, and have experienced some amazing opportunities since it all happened in February!

In May of 2022, I launched my first course and got my first coaching client! Yes, it was only one, but it was one! It was the first! And it led to some amazing opportunities. It made me think differently about myself…believe that I could start something, even if I didn’t feel like I was perfect at it. It also helped me learn how to listen and understand someone who isn’t like me (of course, I work in the people business, and I am a mom, but this has been a challenge for me…maybe that coaching course really did teach me something!). But most importantly, I put myself out there even when I was afraid of failing. And, I didn’t fail…which gave me a confidence that changed the way I had been thinking about this career pivot in my life. A win-win for me!

Of course, July brought the book deal! This was a dream come true, and it just fell into my lap! I really hadn’t pursued it, but I guess when people say, things happen for a reason and some things are meant to be, they are right! It has been an amazing experience! I have learned so much about my own writing, so much about marketing, and made some great friends along the way! The book continues to be a huge part of who I am now, with people still wanting copies, speaking engagements have surfaced, and in my networking groups, I am now referred to as “an author”…which is very cool!

My daughter has also had an amazing year…not free from challenges, but a year where I can definitely say all of the hard work and support I have given to her all of these years has definitely paid off! When presented with challenges, she was able to struggle, reflect, and pivot…coming out better than before! She has been able to problem solve her own situations, while still soliciting my advice, but in a manner different than ever before. I truly believe that our success as parents is only measured by the success of our children…and this year, I can say, both she and I did our jobs and both of us are a mom and daughter duo that can stand proud each and every day!

I would not be able to end this post without commenting on the connections that I have been able to make this year. After a couple of years dealing with the covid debacle…and everyone learning how to socialize differently…it really has been an advantage to so many that we have the capabilities to connect with others every day, online in ways we could not, or did not know about, before. Not only have I stepped out of my comfort zone in the tech world, I also believe that all that I have experienced and learned this year, has made me a better leader, a better friend, and a better person. It all boils down to trusting that I am valued, I am worthy, and although I am now in my 50’s, I am not too old to try new things and to learn about new ways of living life!

So, as you can see…so many wins for the year! I am blessed, I am grateful, and I am inspired by all things and all people that have been part of this journey this year! Who would have thought…the little girl from small town, who once had to stand in the free lunch line, is where I am today! Hard work, perseverance, and believing in myself is what got me here! I hope you too take a minute to reflect on your wins for the year! I hope you too find that you have experienced life in a way that has you hungry for more! I hope you too cannot wait to see what 2023 has in store! Until next time! Cheri ❤️