Brandie’s Year In Review

This is the third in a series here at Work at Home Moms Talk Radio.  We’ve asked WAHMs to tell us about one regret, one proud moment, one new friend, one favorite resource and one resolution for the new year. This post is from Brandie Kajino of SOHOSolutionist.

One Regret:

This summer I spent way to much time working, and not enough time playing with my son. I saw the bright sunshine, and sent him out to play. When the summer was over, I realized there was still a lot of intentions that went unfulfilled. He didn’t seem bothered by it, but I was. I knew I could have done better. I promised myself that summer planning would be better next year, because the time our kids want to spend with us is so precious, especially when they are young.

One Proud Moment:

I was on Martha Stewart Radio twice this year! The best moment was minutes after the broadcast when the phone rang. The producer told me I had done a great job, and they would love to have me back (and did!) Sometimes I still think that was still a dream!

One New Friend:

I have two, which will be unnamed, but their passion for non-profits and making the world a better place a little at a time (which we share) is inspiring to watch. These two people use their talents and resources to make the world a better place – online and offline. I am a better person for knowing them.

One Favorite Resource:

Books. I read. A lot. This year I haven taken to audios books, as they are easy to consume in the car, instead of filling my head with mindless commercials. I can’t wait to get in the car and learn something new. I love getting them from the library or buying them myself to put on my smartphone. Either way, I always learn something new. This has been really helpful in some particularly difficult circumstances this year. I listened to “Mandela’s Way” about five times while I was painting a room in my home over the summer. Listening to people who have far more difficult circumstances than I, helps me put my life (and diffculties) in perspective. There are more books than I have days left in my life. I intend to put a big dent in that number before my time is up.

One Resolution:

Each year, I choose a theme for the year. 2011 is “Simplify”. I have a background as a Professional Organizer, and this year I am turning the tables to look in the mirror and decide what is most important. 2010 was a really rough, emotional year. I learned that life is shorter than we think, even when we “know” it’s short. I have spent too much time with people who don’t share the same values and time on tasks that are unimportant, or could be outsourced (to more talented people.) Changing this will require me to care less about what people think about my choices (not easy for this people pleaser!) We are given this one life, and the choices we make are small and daily. These small choices add up to a picture at the end of the year, which is something I can learn from. This year I will work to simplify my life and business, so the important things to me, and my family, can take center stage.