It feels incredible to look back at the great things that happened to us during the past year and celebrate, but it is also important to look back even through the difficult times. Every experience leaves a lesson for us to take and use to plan for a better future.   In this episode, I will share some of the things that happened in 2021, the lessons that I learned, and the things that I want you to focus on in 2022.   Key takeaways from this episode: Spend some time, regularly, to look back and reflect on what you have achieved and the lessons you have learned during the past months and think of the next goals you want to focus on. It isn't just about your business; It's also about making room for the things that are also important to you personally, as well as professionally. In the early stages of building a business, it's hard work, but it does pay off.    Six things I learned in 2021: Look after your mental health and make it a priority. Make time for the things that are important to you. Find your community and collaborate. Take messy action now. You're ready now. Build a team. Create valuable content.   Spend some time to review and celebrate 2021.   Episode Timeline: 00:04 Intro 01:10 Episode Intro 01:55 Looking back at the past months in business 03:55 Reflecting and celebrating with my team and spending the holidays out of the country 05:04 The good and the tough parts of the year for the family 06:03 Setting personal goals aside from business goals 07:56 The work that I've put into my business is really paying off 10:47 Making your mental health a priority 11:36 Making time for the things that are important to you 12:35 The importance of community and collaboration 13:26 The right time to take action 13:57 Outsourcing rather than doing everything by yourself 14:39 The impacts of my podcast on my business and other people 15:44 Recap of the things to focus on in 2022 16:55 Outro   More about Ruth: Hi, I’m Ruth, a business coach specializing in helping freelancers and business owners adjust their mindset and marketing so they can get fully booked with clients they LOVE to work with. I’ve helped hundreds of self-employed women achieve the time and money freedom they craved. I’ve started this podcast because when I first went all in and left the corporate world to be a freelancer, I was grateful for any work that came my way. After over 20 years of freelancing and working for other people, I started to realize I’d created a glass ceiling for myself. In 2017, I finally started listening to that voice that had been telling me for a long time that I wasn’t doing what I loved and fulfilling my true potential.  It took a critical illness to give me that wake-up call.  I don’t want the same to happen to you. You can expect practical advice, inspiring stories, and a lot of aha moments as we uncover and kick to the curb all the obstacles you have been putting in your way. I’m on a mission to inspire women to start and play bigger in business.       Connect and know more about Ruth Gilbey here: Coaching: https://www.ruthgilbey.com/coaching Free stuff: https://www.ruthgilbey.com/next-client Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruthgilbeymarketingandcoaching/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruth_gilbey/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthgilbey/